What's your thoughts on this Purple Poppies

Just come across this and think its a bit sad that people may feel like this

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Animal-wreath-shouldn-t-laid-Truro-Remembrance/story-17168208-detail/story.html

I think its a little sad that people would offended, but not all people understand the bond between a human and a dog

I don't really see why people would be offended. Death is death, and someone loved the animals that died and put the effort into training them, so don't see the harm in remembering them.

I think it's down right stupid for anyone to be offended, it's a remembrance day whatever, so what does it matter who individuals want to remember

ella wrote:I think it's down right stupid for anyone to be offended, it's a remembrance day whatever, so what does it matter who individuals want to remember

Well that was my thought Ella , it's to remember the fallen and to make such a statement is ridiculous

Yes, remember the dead. Where does it say that we should only remember human casualties?

I'm a bit dissapointed as until the other day I didn't know about the purple poppies and had a look online today as Jenny has been on at me to get some but I can't find any round here. You would have thought that the Pet shops and PAH etc would have grasped the opportunity. And I know another thing , none of my relations or wife's relations that fought in the war would have thought it was disrespectful for laying a purple wreath in memory of the fallen animals

Last year I put a poppy on Rocky harness for remembrance day and we didnt receive any strange comments, I was half expecting some though.

How could anyone be offended by the purple wreath, I'm sure even the queen would not object to it.

Oh god when will humans get over themselves!!!

I think people who are offended are usually the ones who have absolutely nothing to do with the war. They are just jumping on a band wagon.

I've never heard of these purple poppies, but I think it's right that people remember that "they also served" - dogs and horses in particular.

As a former horse owner, I always feel awful when I remember how many horses were stolen from their owners by the military to serve in WW1, and they were mown down in their hundreds. Those who loved their horses will be gone now too, but they should not be forgotten.

I personally think people might be concerned that remembering the animal casualties of war will overshadow the honouring of the human casualities, but in reality that couldn't happen.

Poppy day is something that I always remember and so do the kids , that's the way I've brought them up, I really don't see how animals can overshadow it but it would be nice that they can take part in it . Bet some of these old bots have some great stories to tell about animals that have saved their lives

Yep.

Like that

The Dickin Medals were awarded to honor animals who served in the war... It's an outrage that they should be denied a wreath and a moment of our thoughts (they'll get that anyway!) at a time of remembrance. With out their brave courage it could have been so different.

kelpie wrote:The Dickin Medals were awarded to honor animals who served in the war... It's an outrage that they should be denied a wreath and a moment of our thoughts (they'll get that anyway!) at a time of remembrance. With out their brave courage it could have been so different.

Good bit of info , thankyou

Its funny because my cousin who is with the british army bomb disposal says his dog hero has saved his life and wants to be buried together.How can a forces animal wether horse ,dog or rabbit being remembered be an insult

I've always loved some of the stories of the brave animals, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dickin_Medal


You're welcome.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/9634169/Recipients-of-the-PDSAs-Dickin-Medal-the-animal-version-of-the-Victoria-Cross.html#?frame=2379371
each and everyone deserves to be remembered

dave742 wrote:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/9634169/Recipients-of-the-PDSAs-Dickin-Medal-the-animal-version-of-the-Victoria-Cross.html#?frame=2379371
each and everyone deserves to be remembered

Says it all really doesn't it

That's it precisely

Some amazing stories, and amazing animals. I welled up reading through those.

Just doing a little more digging and somebody has actually set up a FB group "purple poppies is a disgrace" it has 12 members, pretty much sums it up I think .......................

Argh just found it. Are they insane? Why can't animals be remembered and paid respect. I don't understand!!!!!

PygmyParrot wrote:Argh just found it. Are they insane? Why can't animals be remembered and paid respect. I don't understand!!!!!

12 members is a fell flat on its * group Rach , might try setting up a page for Purple poppies but don't know how to do it, crap on FB

Well thank christ for that, still do not get how it could even come into existence, I despair. But 12 idiots and a failed fb group does not a majority make so thats something.

Too many people try and tell us what will offend other people in this country. When the world cup was on people in Blackburn was told they could not fly a st georges flag as it may offend muslims. Absoulte rubbish. They even tried to tell a muslim taxi driver to remove his flag from his taxi as it may offend muslims, he laughed and said I am muslim but still was told to remove it. Never spoke to 1 muslim who was offended by the flags.
I have a feeling if the famlies were given the chance to express their views the wreath would be welcomed

PygmyParrot wrote:Argh just found it. Are they insane? Why can't animals be remembered and paid respect. I don't understand!!!!!

I think it's just people who have nothing to do with any wars that'd feel that way. Like how some of the most outspoken, opinionated people about a certain cause aren't doing anything for that cause. It's probably just that it's a hierarchy of life-forms; humans are at the top, the most superior, the greatest value on life, etc., and everything else is below them. So to those people (presumably those that don't like or own dogs), honouring animals the same way you'd honour people is offensive.

Dave wrote:

ella wrote:I think it's down right stupid for anyone to be offended, it's a remembrance day whatever, so what does it matter who individuals want to remember

Well that was my thought Ella , it's to remember the fallen and to make such a statement is ridiculous

Exactly what does it matter if they are human or animal?

BlueStaffBlue wrote:Too many people try and tell us what will offend other people in this country. When the world cup was on people in Blackburn was told they could not fly a st georges flag as it may offend muslims. Absoulte rubbish. They even tried to tell a muslim taxi driver to remove his flag from his taxi as it may offend muslims, he laughed and said I am muslim but still was told to remove it. Never spoke to 1 muslim who was offended by the flags.
I have a feeling if the famlies were given the chance to express their views the wreath would be welcomed

Agreed Blue and this is exactly the kind of reason this country suffers.

BlueStaffBlue wrote:Too many people try and tell us what will offend other people in this country. When the world cup was on people in Blackburn was told they could not fly a st georges flag as it may offend muslims. Absoulte rubbish. They even tried to tell a muslim taxi driver to remove his flag from his taxi as it may offend muslims, he laughed and said I am muslim but still was told to remove it. Never spoke to 1 muslim who was offended by the flags.
I have a feeling if the famlies were given the chance to express their views the wreath would be welcomed

Unfortunately it's a little different around here. We also have a high Muslim population, and to be fair, most of them are great - decent people who just want to get on with their lives the same as everybody else. But there are a few that are deeply resentful of the selling of poppies. One lady whose child went to school with my two told me it was because they were excluded! I told her that was nonsense & that the poppies symbolise all the casualties of war. She thanked me for being 'nice', but she wasn't convinced.

Two years ago the old soldiers who regularly sell poppies outside Morrisons were attacked by a group of Muslims - they were punched, kicked & all the goods they were selling were sent scattering all over the car park. By the time the police arrived they'd gone, but the police said that if they pursued it too hard they'd be acused of racism!

This year they are selling the poppies inside the store & have a security guard with them.

What is the world coming to?

I am about to say something quite controversial and I apologise if it upsets anyone . This country is British and we have our traditions and ways , St George's Day , Remembrance Day etc , that all can offend other religions etc . It remains a fact that people chose to live in our country whatever the reasons and however many years ago and they must also learn to accept our ways.
How long would we last going to a muslim country and trying to ram our beliefs down their throats and telling them that we were offended by their traditions.
It's not just about muslims as there are many other instances so please don't take me out of context anyone , it's just a very good example

This is Cornwall that we're talking about guys I grew up in Truro and they kick off about this stuff all of the time, they have very little else to think of.. hense why I left Everything is about 10 years behind there, and there's still a lot of old school racism, sexism and homophobia amongst other things floating about. God forbid that you ever care for an animal as much as a human

My best friend is fighting in Afghanistan at the moment and I know that she and many other soldiers support the purple poppies..

Rachel33 wrote:This is Cornwall that we're talking about guys I grew up in Truro and they kick off about this stuff all of the time, they have very little else to think of.. hense why I left Everything is about 10 years behind there, and there's still a lot of old school racism, sexism and homophobia amongst other things floating about. God forbid that you ever care for an animal as much as a human

My best friend is fighting in Afghanistan at the moment and I know that she and many other soldiers support the purple poppies..

Maybe we should be funding a cause to send everyone from Cornwall into Bristol or somewhere for a day trip so they can experience a bit of the real world

Rachel33 wrote:This is Cornwall that we're talking about guys I grew up in Truro and they kick off about this stuff all of the time, they have very little else to think of.. hense why I left Everything is about 10 years behind there, and there's still a lot of old school racism, sexism and homophobia amongst other things floating about. God forbid that you ever care for an animal as much as a human

My best friend is fighting in Afghanistan at the moment and I know that she and many other soldiers support the purple poppies..

I know this is in Cornwall, but it (and similar things) happen all through the country.

Agree with what Dave is saying, it doesn't make you a racist or an intolerant person to say that people who are offended by people celebrating their culture or heritage should learn to accept things. There are many people in the UK who are proud to be British, and are also proud of any other cultures that makes up their identity. When all is said and done, I think the people that shout the loudest about things being offensive are the ones who are just too narrow-minded to accept anything other than what they think. Animals may not have as big an impact in wars as people have, but they've saved lives and contributed to helping people, so why not give them respect?

Dave wrote:I am about to say something quite controversial and I apologise if it upsets anyone . This country is British and we have our traditions and ways , St George's Day , Remembrance Day etc , that all can offend other religions etc . It remains a fact that people chose to live in our country whatever the reasons and however many years ago and they must also learn to accept our ways.
How long would we last going to a muslim country and trying to ram our beliefs down their throats and telling them that we were offended by their traditions.
It's not just about muslims as there are many other instances so please don't take me out of context anyone , it's just a very good example

Well said! and do not ever apologise cos its fact!

And if I find a purple poppy in the shops, I will buy one for Pixee along with the red ones we always buy. Humans and animals have been in the war, both deserve respect.

ANattyRat wrote: Animals may not have as big an impact in wars as people have, but they've saved lives and contributed to helping people, so why not give them respect?