Klarinet Archive - Posting 000278.txt from 1996/12

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Dangerous Clarinet Pets (was Dogs and their owners,etc.)
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 10:40:29 -0500

Perhaps instead of getting further embroiled in this "Cats vs.
Dogs" discussion, we should embark on a serious discussion on pets that are
downright dangerous for clarinetists to own. For instance, consider the
rattlesnake: suppose you decided to practice during a blackout and
accidently picked up your pet rattler instead of your clarinet! (There have
been documented cases - documented under "false claims" - of cobras being
mistaken for english horns). Also, I would discourage clarinetists from
keeping poison arrow frogs as pets. These beautiful-but-deadly amphibians
find the dark, humid interior of the clarinet very similar to their
rainforest habitat. A good "slurp" on the reed can have disasterous
consequences!
These are two of the most common pets I can think of off the top of
my head. Perhaps some of you know of others to avoid?

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
Department of Biochemistry
School of Hygiene and Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
(410)-955-3631

SDM@-----.edu