Sarasota News Leader
March 15, 2013
In the winter of 2012, Putter, a black-tailed
Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), was
dumped on the historic Bobby Jones Golf
Club in Sarasota, where he ruled over the
course. At first, he was a popular ruler and
admired for his industriousness and toothy
grin. He was even interviewed by NBC's Brian Williams, but a difference over the principles of club governance led to his downfall.
The club's members were timocrats. They believed that possession of property is required
in order to hold office. Well, they did actually
own the land and knew how to use it wisely
for the benefit of mankind's golfing passion.
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Putter was more of a socialist freebooter and
believed in physiocracy (Greek for "government of nature"); i.e., the wealth of the club
was derived from land development. So, after
he constructed the club's 19th hole without
the proper permits and neglected to apply for
a liquor license, he was deposed and sent into
exile at the Sarasota Jungle Gardens (SJG).
Sic transit gloria Cynomys ludicrous.
Putter was probably one of those "adorable"
(i.e., almost as cute as an owlet) pups bought
as a child's pet by well-intentioned but rather uninformed parents. "Mommy, Daddy, he's
sooo cute. Can I have him? Pleeeeeease!"
Squint, the tiny Eastern Screech Owl at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, is perched on a gloved hand. File photo
