The great poet Maya Angelou once wrote a poem entitled I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and in those magnificent lines she describes the pain and longing of the disenfranchised.
After reading up on the recent monkey-related tragedy involving Travis (see photo) from Connecticut, I immediately hearkened back to the immortal words of Ms. Angelou. "But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams / his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream / his wings are clipped and his feet are tied / so he opens his throat to sing." Inevitably it also led me to today's question--do monkey's make good pets?
According to neighbors, Travis was a friendly figure with a good disposition. Allegedly he liked to partake in a good steak with a side of Merlot, ride in his owner's truck and act in commercials for major corporations. Also, he wore a diaper. These observations would lead us to believe that Travis had the make-up of a good pet. And as he was a chimpanzee, this would also lead us to believe that yes, monkeys do make good pets.
However, Webster's dictionary defines a pet as "a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility," and if Travis was truly kept for pleasure and not for use, than what purpose did he serve? Perhaps it was this loss of dignity and freedom that made Travis open his throat and sing.
Is there a lesson to be learned in this tragedy? There is--monkeys do not make good pets. Case closed.
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