d.: Hi, Cal.E. I see you have your rodeo gear on. Are you getting ready to go to the Houston LIvestock Show and Rodeo?
C.: Yes, d.c. I am READY for the RODEO!
d.: Wow, you are enthusiastic about this year's rodeo. It will be nice not having to worry about "Covid Protocols" this year. They are voluntary this year, not mandatory. Is that why you are so excited about seeing the rodeo this year, or is it the stellar cast of performers that are lined up to perform this year?
C.: No, d.c., that is not it. I know that wearing masks and "social distancing" were royal pains in the...tail, but they were necessary to help curb the spread of the virus. I did not mind following the CDC's regulations. I don't really get into country music, either. There are no "Caterwauling'' bands, so I just want to watch the rodeo!
d.: You are correct about there being no "Caterwauling'' bands this year. They are all VERY good performers. Why are you so pumped for this year's rodeo, then?
C.: Because of the competitions! I will be happy to watch all of them!
d.: Oh? What is your favorite rodeo event, Cal.E.?
C.: BULL RIDING!!
d.: I know that bull riding is one of the top "attention getters" at the rodeo. I think it is because humans are so mystified at how a mere human can maintain his balance on a bucking bull for eight seconds. You are a cat, though. Y'all don't have much trouble with balance issues. Why do you like the bull riding competition so much?
C.: Because d.c. At the end, everyone gets a nice, juicy rare steak when the cowboy slaughters the bull! YUMMY!
d.: No, Cal.E. You are talking about bull FIGHTING. That is illegal in the United States. It has to do with ""Cruelty to Animals" laws.
C.: Me NOT getting a steak is cruel to me, and I am a cat! Besides, wouldn't many of the competitions at a rodeo fall under the same category?
d.: That IS a good point. The rodeo is to remind people of how things were over one hundred years ago. Growing up with cattle and other livestock, I can understand a lot of the competitions. I once had a "green-broke" three-year-old stallion. HE convinced me that I would not be successful as a bronc buster OR a bull rider!
C.: What is YOUR favorite event, d.c.?
d.: I like to watch the team roping competitions. I also tried to learn to rope as a young man. It is a LOT more difficult than these skilled cowboys make it look! Roping off of the ground is hard enough, but doing it on a horse that is running full speed is incredible. Add to that the fact that each rider on a team must coordinate his actions with a teammate, and the whole process just amazes me.
d.: No, Cal.E. They let the little fellow go. He is usually so scared, though, that he runs around the arena at full speed for several minutes, or until the clowns herd him out of the arena. I don't think that his meat would taste good, anyway, in that condition. Upsetting cattle makes their meat tough and almost inedible.
C.: Doesn't KILLING them make them upset?
d.: I would imagine. But the people who process the meat make sure that the steers are calm right up until the last moment. It is something that the meat processors have learned to do over a long period of time. I won't get into "humane killings" versus other methods. THAT is a discussion for another day.
C.: All this talk about meat is making me hungry! I will talk to you tomorrow, d.c. I MUST find something to eat now, preferably raw meat! Maybe I can hunt something down, if it walks in the front door of the house,,,
d.: I will see you tomorrow, Cal.E. Just eat the food in your bowl for now.
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