OklahomaHorses Magazine July 2021

24 OklahomaHorses • July/August 2021 Animals in Art and Photography Lisa Jewell 918.231.0895 jewell1957@hotmail.com ArtbyJewell.com 2625 I-35 Frontage Rd. Edmond, Oklahoma 73013 Hours of operation: M-F 8-5 Sat. 8-12 24/7 Emergencies Follow us on Facebook at: Equine Medical Associates, Inc. of Oklahoma Optimizing Health And Performance of Sport Horses Since 1978 Visit our online store at: equinemedicalassociates.vetsfirstchoice.com protecting and healing rather than destroying. Having a long, drawn out vicious legal battle does not bode well for losing your local favorite vet or farrier, or uncomfortable interactions at every event you go to. When we look at small animals, or companion animals and pets, such as dogs and cats, we see some similar types of disputes, including purchase and breeding as well as disputes between neighbors because of a barking or aggressive dog. While making a call to the local law enforcement may provide an immediate resolution, the long-term issue of finding a way to continue to get along with your neighbor is ultimately the goal. People are by nature very emotionally attached and protective of their pets. We have a visceral reaction to them being threat- ened or the thought of having them removed from our care. What if you were able to proceed with a method of resolving the conflict with an option that would address the underlying issues and allow both parties to be valued as well as find a resolution for the animal? If the issue is the enforcement of a contract or agreement, then look at the ways that the intent of the parties can still be honored in different ways, which sometimes may lead to an even better outcome. We even see animals become a source of disagreement in divorce and family matters deciding who gets possession and who shall bear expenses and responsibility related to the house- hold pets and other animals and for children’s activities, such as horseback riding. These issues all cut to a very emotional response, often needing problem-solving to allow for the continuation of the time with the animal or activity, with sharing of care and expenses while taking the child’s well-being into consideration. Some creative options have been worked out that include divorced couples shar- ing custody of their pets with a visitation schedule or allowing children to take pets back and forth to each parent’s home. Finding ways for children’s riding activities to continue can be a source of acrimony, but allowing for options that take into con- sideration costs and time are better resolved in a problem-solving environment than by a judge who does not have the benefit of delving into the needs and interests and must make a decision only based on facts and information presented in the limited court time provided. Many disputes arise because the parties fail to use a clearly worded written agreement or from sight unseen transactions whether from online or long-distance arrangements. All of these disputes end up coming down to a battle of perspectives that can become very costly and time-consuming to try to prove one’s position. When involved in traditional litigation, the parties engage in many processes out of their own control, including filing and responding to pleadings, discovery which can entail providing detailed responses to written requests, taking the time to provide copies of documents, in-person depositions, and hiring and paying experts for their opinions. All of this is controlled by the court process and attorneys who are on their time schedule, not yours. In the meantime, continued costs for caring for the animal which is the subject of the dispute accrue, or possible opportuni-