home from the demonstration
Well, Flapper and I are home from the demonstration at Lark restaurant. We went there to say “thank you” to all the nice people from the Northwest Animal Rights Network (http://www.narn.org) who spend their Friday nights trying to reduce the suffering of animals by asking Lark to remove foie gras from their menu.
I have to say, Flapper did SO well. In fact, I was a little bit of a stress puppy, but Flapper was pretty chill. He got a tiny bit stressed when I moved from one spot to another, but he settled right back down and let everyone pet him and talk to him. We sat right at the entrance to Lark restaurant so people who came and left could see what a healthy, happy duck looks like… as opposed to the ducks who are tortured and suffer so Lark can serve foie gras (swollen, diseased liver) on their menu.
What did you think of the demonstration tonight, Flapper?
“Nom nom nom, these fries are good.”
“One more fry and then I’ll talk.”
“Okay. I thought the people were nice. They took a lot of photos of me and I can totally understand that. I’m photogenic! They touched and petted me, which was fine… but now I have to wash off all these human cooties.”
That sounds about right, Flapper. What did you think of that cranky guy who mouthed off to the nice animal rights people?
“Mm… I don’t know. What did you think?”
I thought he was a douchebag, personally.
“Ha ha ha ha ha ha.”
Sorry for the strong language, Flapper. But he really was. I kept thinking of him all the way home. When he and his wife walked up to the restaurant, and the demonstrator tried to hand him a pamphlet… he was just rude and mean to swear and mouth off like that. Even his wife was trying to get him to shut up. I just kept thinking… what a douchebag, you know? All these nice people with purpose and meaning in their lives are spending their Friday nights to reduce suffering for animals. And that guy? He probably just sucked air all day and then mouthed off.
“He probably needs to spend more time with ducks.”
Yeah, you could be right, Flapper.
Anyway… forget about him. I was really proud of you tonight, Flapper. You did really great and didn’t get stressed out a bit. Except for when you fell asleep on the job, I think you did really well. Let’s try it again another Friday night, okay buster?
“Do I get fries again?”
Definitely. Mwah. G’nite buster.
We didn’t take any photos but I am sure people who did will share them with us. So when I can get a few, I’ll post them to the blog. Very special thanks to everyone from NARN who showed up tonight (and other nights) to help reduce suffering for animals. It’s great to meet people who have purpose and passion and take the time to make a difference.
Thank you.
NOTE: Flapper gets a handful of fries a few times a year as a treat. He really loves them, but they’re not great for him. So he only gets them sparingly and in moderation.
13 Comments
I’m still laughing about your thoughts on the mean man that yelled at the demonstrators! Way to go Tiff and especially Flapper!! I can’t wait to see some of those photos from the event…I would have definitely been there if I were still up in Seattle.
Nice job, Flapper! (And Flapper’s human!) We as demonstrators have to deal with “gentlemen” like that on a daily basis, even though most of us try really hard to be likeable and friendly to everyone who passes by. What’s funny–and I’m sure other activists will know what I’m talking about–is that 90% of the antagonists make the same irrational comments over and over again…and then march away before giving us a chance to respond. Sigh.
Great job and a cheerful hello to Seattle’s NARN! (P.S. I wrote to Lark last night in regards to their foie gras!)
Becci: Yeah, I think Flapper makes a better spokesduck than I would make a spokesperson. I have a very low “douchebaggery tolerance,” and have no reservations in speaking my mind. It was all I could do not to say “hey, Sir… you seem like quite an @$$. Even your wife thinks so. What gives? Just naturally gifted at douchebaggery?” But with Flapper there to keep me occupied, I was able to keep my mouth shut and let the nice demonstrators go about their business.
It particularly irritated me that Mr. DB (douchebag) had a “holier than thou” attitude, as if simply being able to afford an expensive meal gave him license to mouth off. The demonstrators were being quiet (for Flapper) and simply handed him a leaflet and requested that he ask his server to remove foie gras from their menu. Then he went off, ’til his wife yanked on his leash.
Good for you, Flapper & Tiff. I would think seeing Flapper before they enter the restuarant would make a lot of people (hopefully) go home & research this a bit. I thinka lot of people are ignorant of how their dinner came to be on their plate and I think this is a great way to enlighten them.
Welll done Flapper and thank you Tiff, for standing up for the poor abused critters. This should not have been needed if people would be more sensible and sensitive.
I’m sorry this ingnorant man made it tough for you all, it’s hard to ignore but that’s all you can do, and you did good:-)
I hope this protest helped and the restaurant and all restaurants will stop serving goose/duck liver.
You should have probably shown sympathy for Mrs. DB for having to wake up next to (or under) Mr. DB. I don’t necessarily hate necrovores, but when they get uppity, I want to make sure they can’t cross the street without an appliance.
I’m so sorry to have missed the demo! I would have been honored to meet gorgeous Mr. Flapper.
All Animals are precious, intelligent and special. Hurting them and eating them is so wrong.
Merci Monsieur Flapper! All foie gras’ got to go! Now!
I’ll say Mauvais Appetit to the Lark patrons and all foie gras eaters!
Douchebag, indeed! I encounter this regressive mentality all the time with my students (maybe they’d be more open to critical thinking if I brought them fries?).
Good work Team Flapper!
I’m so glad that all went so well. There’s always one in the crowd who is obnoxious. Hopefully the others there made up for his rudeness and being so naive and not caring.
I’m glad you explained that the Flap doesn’t get fries any time he wants them. I love Haagen Daz but of course can’t have it every time I want to. darn it!!!
“NOTE: Flapper gets a handful of fries a few times a year as a treat. He really loves them, but they’re not great for him. So he only gets them sparingly and in moderation.”
It would be better for ALL of us if we ate fries “sparingly and in moderation.”
Mr. Flapper and your duck mom are Super Heroes! You both inspire me to make a change in this world thank you! And Mr. Flapper good job in helping your mom keep her cool. But I think that guy needed an ear full DB jerk. May be next time she can put you some where that you can’t hear. Your ears are took young he he he. I hope you enjoyed the fries you deserve them. I hope your mom got a treat too for a good job.
Great job Team Flapper and super NARN! The work you all do for the animals is wonderful. Flapper, thank you for helping everyone see what a happy, healthy and content duck looks and acts like. Putting a beak to the face goes a along way. And I bet that DB’s wife gave him an earful for their entire dinner and hopefully longer….
Way to go, Flap, Tiff, and everyone at NARN!
I know it’s easier said than done, but just ignore the douchebags. People like that are insecure and need an audience. So don’t give them the attention they so desperately crave.
I’ve been a volunteer at the Central Park Zoo for years. I don’t get to interact with the animals (boo!); I just educate the public. Every once in a while I’ll come across a douchebag who feels it necessary to spout some mean-spirited nonsense about animals. (Never mind the people who show up in a fur coat! WTF? Wearing a fur coat to the zoo??!) Of course I’ll want to punch them in the face, but the best I can do is walk away.
They usually end up ruining my day, though. It’s hard not to let them upset you, I know.