Tag: Canton Ohio

So Canton has a mountain lion…

canton-mountain-lion-art-bztat
"Canton Mountain Lion" digital Art by BZTAT

In recent weeks, there have been several sightings of a mountain lion, or some large cat-like creature, in the Canton, OH/Stark County area. Although the animal has not been close enough to any human beings for anyone to get a clear photo of it, the mere possibility of such a creature in the area has provoked fear and anguish.

Sadly, the response from wildlife officials has been lackluster and seemingly heartless. They suggest that the animal would be killed, not tranquilized and relocated, should it reappear in their sights.

Experts have speculated that the animal that has been seen in Stark County was likely a captive animal that someone was keeping. Experts suspect that it either escaped or was released.

I am an advocate for the humane treatment of animals. I generally only get involved in causes related to domestic animals, however, this animal’s plight, and several others like it, has struck a nerve with me. Why is it that humans feel the need to keep wild, aggressive animals as pets?

Why do we feel the need to bend the things that fascinate us to our own whims and keep them as our own?

I love having pets – domesticated pets. Aggressive wild animals have needs beyond our comprehension, and simply should not be living outside of natural habitats. At least zoos and sanctuaries go to great lengths to recreate habitats, using experts and research.

A home or cage is no home for a wild animal.

They get loose, struggle with their new unfamiliar habitat, and then they become a potential public safety threat.

Being a Twitter buff, I decided to take to the social media platform to raise some awareness and have a little fun. I created the @CantonMtnLion Twitter account, somewhat in the style of the viral @BronxZooCobra to see what would happen. It has not gone viral, but it has raised the attention of local media. I was interviewed today for a story by Action News 19 from Cleveland, and two local radio hosts have enjoyed tweeting with the mountain lion.

I am not sure where the Twitter account will go from here, but I hope to use it to raise awareness to animal welfare issues, as well as have a little bit of fun. There have been no actual sightings of a real cougar in the area for days, so I suspect that it has moved on. But there is no reason why we cannot use its misadventure as a way to raise awareness.

The state of Ohio and other states have initiatives to reduce the wild animal trade and the inappropriate care of exotic animals as pets. The Humane Society of the United States has initives going on all over the country. How can you get involved? Check out these websites and follow the mountain lion on Twitter to find other resources.

I urge you to think about how we treat animals in our world and think about how we can be more humane. We share this world with them, not control it for them. How can we be better neighbors?

UPDATE: View the Action News 19 story:

Where in the world is Brewskie Butt meowing today? Home in Canton, OH!

See all the “Worldwide Just Meowin’ Tour drawings!

Brewskie-But-cat-drawing-Canton-Ohio-Football-Hall-of-Fame
"Hall of Famer Brew" Drawing by BZTAT

The Brew is ending his tour of the world in grand style. He has returned home to Canton, OH, known to the world primarily because it is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The NFL, which was first called the American Professional Football Association, was founded in Canton in 1920, so Canton has a rich heritage with football, despite the fact that there is no NFL team in Canton presently.

The Brew and I are on a mission to show the world that there is a lot more to Canton in addition to football, but today he suited up to pay homage to Canton’s best known history.

If you come to Canton for the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, be sure to visit all the other attractions that Canton has to offer as well. We have a wonderful art museum, fantastic arts district, miles and miles of verdant parks and lakes, an amazing classic car museum, the National First Ladies Library, and much, much more!

Find out about all that is going on in Canton and Stark County at the Canton and Stark County Conventions and Visitors Bureau website.

In case you didn’t know, Brewskie Butt, my spokescat and business partner has been on a virtual tour around the world to visit the friends he has made in various locations. Each day between May 1 and June 5, 2011 (with a small break in the middle), he has visited a new city and/or geographical region around the globe. A drawing of him in a new place has appeared here on this blog every day, and folks have been bidding on the drawings in auctions. What fun it has been!

Now that he has returned home after his long trip, we plan to make a book featuring the best of the drawings.  The book will be available for purchase soon. Watch for postings about the book here and at the Brew’s blog  Just Meowin’.

Thanks to all who have followed Brewskie’s adventures around the world. Stay tuned. he will be up to some new adventure soon, I am sure!

You can bid on today’s football drawing, too! Here’s the info about today’s drawing:

5″ X7″ Prismacolor Pencil and Marker Drawing by artist BZTAT

Comes with an acid free mat ready for an 8″ X 10″ frame

Leave bids in increments of $5 below in the comments section.

Minimum Bid $40 USD

Shipping: $8 USA $18 International

BUY NOW OPTION: You can buy this piece now for $75 as long as no bids have been made in the comments below. Simply write BUY NOW in the comments and send a payment of $75 + shipping via PayPal to bztat at bztat.com.

Highest bid at 10:00 pm EST on Wednesday 6/8/11 wins the piece.

Winning bidder: send payment of bid + shipping to Paypal using email address: bztat at bztat.com

Please allow 4 weeks for USA shipping (We need to get good scans of all the drawings for the book, and it may take some time).

Thought for the Day: ?

Canton Depot
Digital Art by BZTAT

I searched through my library of images to post today, and this one stuck out. I don’t really know why. Maybe it is because I am traveling next week. Maybe it is because I am pondering if Canton is a stop along the way or a place to deepen the roots.

I searched through my library of quotes and I could not find a corresponding thought to go with the image. So I am just letting the image speak for itself.

What does it say to you?