WE were so excited to see the movie and tribute to flower and it was such a disappointment. First of all, Whoopie??? Who made that choice? Big mistake, bring back Sean!!! He is the true voice of the Meerkats and Whoopie sounded really strange. The movied was disjointed and just silly at times. So sad to see it end this way. Now I see the next season is being narrated by Stockard Channing? What's up with that (although she is much preferred to Whoopied). When something works, you don't change it.

You liked Stockard's voice rather then Whoppie's? I don't like neither but thought Stockards was just plain annoying! Sean why did you leave us?

It wasn't Sean's choice to leave. The producers decided to go a different direction. I guess we all know now that it was the wrong direction.
:-(

Now, now, let's not be judgemental and refuse to move on...{{{tongue in cheek}}}

I think its just amazing how we've all been yelling from the rooftops about the changes and lies and they act as if we said we adore it?

if they HAD to change, I would perfer the dude that did the season 2 recap...

Just tried to post so many times CLEANING it up
ever time, still wont go thru

IT WAS'NT SEANs IDEA TO LEAVE (mine either)

here it is straght up
the new voice doesnt work
ap admit you made a misteak
wont anybody think diff of you
buy out her contract
give Sean a raise
have him RE VOICE THE remaining
season 4 epps SAVE MEERKAT MANOR

I, too, was disapointed in the movie. It showed Flower as a pup, and that was great but really never gave a whole lot of information about HOW she came to be DF. What happened to her sister after their mom died- SHE was DF then BOOM! All of a sudden they show Flower as DF. Not to mention, they didnt show the births of our favs- Mozart, Shakespear, Tosca, etc. Just showed them as pups. They didnt show Youssarian joining the group and the battle for dominance with Zaphod. Not to mention the way Whoopi attemped humor with that ridiculous script. It wasnt very good. AND THE COMMERICALS! GEEZE!

Bring Sean back!

Flower sister was killed when she tried to cross the road. They didn't show it when it happened but rather they had to act it in. Does that make sense?

Some good news.
I put this in with the dissappointing becuse, although its not kat news, it happy animal news. Service people aren't allowed to own pets or ship them home. However, a group has started, can't remember the name, that is allowing the service men to send home the pets they have adopted. They said it was because of the close bonds they had with the animals. There were beautiful shots of the animals happily greeting their new families at the airport, with cute coats and happy, wagging tails. My eyes welled up at this so very beautiful sight.

Forgot, Service people in Iraq that is.

That is very good news Bischonmom! I watched a special about that, awhile back, of the men in Vietnam. It was heartbreaking, to see these men, in their 80's and 90's, crying, talking about their German Sheppards. They could not bring them home. So sad.

My eyes would well up with tears too, seeing service men and woman, reunited with their animals.

What happened to Sean Astin? Did he leave of his own accord? If not, then the producers of this show have seriously misunderstood the show's appeal and popularity. What in the world were they thinking of?

(strays off course from the thread a moment)

quote:

Originally posted by bischonmom:
Some good news.
I put this in with the dissappointing becuse, although its not kat news, it happy animal news. Service people aren't allowed to own pets or ship them home. However, a group has started, can't remember the name, that is allowing the service men to send home the pets they have adopted. They said it was because of the close bonds they had with the animals. There were beautiful shots of the animals happily greeting their new families at the airport, with cute coats and happy, wagging tails. My eyes welled up at this so very beautiful sight.

wow then the service has changed alot since I was a kid (we brought back a dog and a bird from Germany) - or maybe its a warzone thing

I'm glad they are making arrangements to let them do this... I had another 15 years with my furpup thanks to the USAF shipping her back

I saw a story on one soldier that had his wife send him some seed and topsoil.. outside his tent he has a small patch of grass that is his own bit of American soil. Every time they go on a mission now it's tradiditon for each guy to walk across the grass before they leave - but I digress.. back to the discussion at hand

If I may add some info. Service members are allowed to have pets, even in government quarters. I'm not sure where this info comes from, but I'm sorry to say it's not totally accurate.

It does depend on where you are. In most cases, we cannot take or keep a pet in a combat zone. However, there are many instances where soldiers in combat have adopted dogs and have managed to ship them home. It does take alot of work to do this, but it can happen. We here at Ft Bragg, just welcomed a 3 legged dog from Iraq and he is happy with his new family. {it's are even allowed in many areas we call 'hardship tours', Korea ect.)

There is even good news for single soldiers that have to reside in the barracks. They too can have pets with permission. The most popular right now are snakes! I have had soldiers with everything from a small garter snake to one with a 4 ft python - which gave me the scare of my life!!!

What IS a bit problem is when dual-service members (husband and wife) both deploy. Many times other family memebers will take the pet - this just happened here in Fayetteville and has led to a change in policy for the city government, allowing more than 3 animals per household. I think what you may be discussing is the new trend for animal shelters and local organizations to take these pets in and board them cheaply until the soldiers return. I plan to be a foster parent after I retire. Anyone can contact their local shelters for information regarding oppotunities to help if you are near an military base. Or you can contact the post's veternary services' it is under the medical facilities phone listings.

The military is actually starting a campaign to help. The practice of abandoning pets has caused many serious problems in most areas around a military reserve. Fayetteville used to have large populations of feral dogs and cats; people think that if they drop the animals off in the woods here they can survive. Few do, and those suffer greatly.

All posts I have served on also have special pet cemetaries set up for us. They are well cared for and services are free. We receive some vet services at greatly reduced prices. Our vets can care for anything, because we have many mascots - here at Ft Bragg, on my side of post we have BlackJack, a jack**s named for Gen BlackJack Pershing. He is our mascot because we are part of the Ordnance Corps, and he represents the animals that pulled the cannons to battle in the past. We love him and soldiers compete to be his caretaker. Believe me, you would love him too - He is the only soldier that can totally disrupt an offical parade and get away with it. Not even generals can do that!!

(I'm waiting to get in trouble since this isnt meerkat related, lol)

ok I was confused for a moment.. I just know we always had/have pets so thanks for the clarification dmoo

FYI - for those interested; if you know of a soldier looking for a temp home for their pets or want to be a part of the fostering network

Military Pets Foster Project

dmoo.. Since I dont know you well, I dont know who is wearing the uniform there. From my heart, thank you all very much. The soldier serves but many don't understand.. the family does too.

BlackJack sounds like a hoot

just me, little old SSG. Thank you for posting the link. sorry to be long winded back there, but just want the right info out there. Come on over to the welcome to the burrow, good morning thread, and we won't get on anyone's list for going off point here. I gots lotsa BlackJack stories - He even left calling card where the general was supposed to stand one time!!! Whole formation nearly fell out laughing!

This really doesn't have anything to do with anything, just a cute story about a military pet. We met a wonderful couple camping a few years ago and their grandson was deployed to Iraq. They were keeping their grandson's miniture pincher while he was deployed to Iraq. This little 2.5 pound bruiser had gotten in a fight with a cat and the cat put his little eye out, his name is Spike and he wears an eye patch....sooo cute. He struts around like a big dog. lol Their grandson made it back safely and Spike has been reunited with his daddy. Many thank yous to all who serve so selflessly.

I could easily be wrong, but the impression I had (it was just a tiny, short piece) that this organization is helping soldiers send their dogs home with them - or to their family. Correct me if I'm wrong.
To all our service people out there, A great big tail wrap and nuzzle!

quote:

Originally posted by bischonmom:
I could easily be wrong, but the impression I had (it was just a tiny, short piece) that this organization is helping soldiers send their dogs home with them - or to their family. Correct me if I'm wrong.
To all our service people out there, A great big tail wrap and nuzzle!

Bishonmom I don;t know of an organization that is helping if there is that is wonderful. But I do know that (as dmoo said) it is happening - Some soldiers are bringing their adopted pets home as well, it just takes a lot of paperwork.

We were on base and far from the war zone and it took a lot of paperwork, shots, exams and more paperwork to bring our pets to the US (the dog and bird were both German additions to the family).

<is now officially turning the thread back over to the Meerkats and running off to the Burrow Forum>

ILoveMitch, We all love you Mitch for being one of the country's finest!

quote:

Originally posted by bischonmom:
ILoveMitch, We all love you Mitch for being one of the country's finest!

Dad was the good guy, I was just honored to tag along and have a most unusual but cherished childhood Kinda explains the way my blood runs red, white and blue I guess

Many burrows, one family... hmmm maybe that's why I relate so well to the Meerkats

quote:

Originally posted by cmeerkat:
What happened to Sean Astin? Did he leave of his own accord? If not, then the producers of this show have seriously misunderstood the show's appeal and popularity. What in the world were they thinking of?

No Sean did not leave on his own accord. I have no idea what the producers were thinking, but whatever it was, they were WRONG!