I know you are illiterate, because you were clearly unable to read the memo sent out on Thursday about noise in the department. Just because it’s Saturday, and just because there are only a few people here, does not mean that the noise from your contraband radio isn’t just as annoying as it would be on a regular workday.
Or maybe you’re just a selfish asshole?
In the past week, there have been the following posts:
1. Offer: Older black GSD x Chow who’s NOT good with other animals, and who is getting crankier with age. Why do people think it’s okay to pass off a potentially dangerous animal?
2. Offer: 7 year old male tuxedo cat, being rehomed because it keeps “getting on the new baby,” and the owner “doesn’t like it.” I can’t even imagine how that’s allowed to be a problem. Have they not considered restricting the cat’s range until the kid is a little older?
3. Offer: 2.5 year old timid male Beagle mix, being rehomed because the family doesn’t have enough time for him. I hope he does find a better home, but I just don’t understand why people get pets when they clearly don’t understand how much work they are.
4. Offer: MinPin x Beagle x Pug, good with kids and other animals. Owner does not have time for him.
5. Offer: Rainbow kittens! (Seriously. One is pink? I have no idea what that means.)
6. Offer: Female St. Bernard, very aggressive toward other animals. Again, why on earth does the owner think that it’s okay to pass off a (huge!) and potentially dangerous animal? (The woman getting rid of the St. Bernard is now looking for a smaller bed.)
7. Offer: Two Basset x Pomeranian x Dachshunds (male and female). They were Christmas presents that “got too big.” They were supposed to be 15 lbs, but are more like 50 lbs. Yes, that’s a huge difference, but what do people expect when they give mixed breed puppies as gifts? They should expect to be surprised.
The female has been spayed, but the male is intact. They are “too big to handle.” I expect the more accurate assessment would be that they are untrained and therefore hard to handle. Size has bupkis to do with it, if the dog has even a little bit of training.
8. Offer: 8 year old MinPin. She’s shy and apparently not good with kids.
I realize that crap happens, and I realize that people’s circumstances can change drastically. In those cases, people might have to rehome their pets. But if you’re getting rid of an animal because you underestimated how much of your time it would need, or if you “don’t like” its behavior (training and management, folks!), then you screwed up.
On the other hand, if you’re responsible and moderately clueful about evaluating temperament, this is one way to get a potentially awesome pet. God only knows what the true reasons are for these folks getting rid of their animals, and their loss could be your gain. I got Harriet from similar circumstances, and though she’s not anything like perfect, she’s been a wonderful dog.
And, lastly,
7. Wanted: “I’m looking for a good horse and a pony thanks…” And that was the entirety of the post. Good luck with that!
In my travels around the Interwebs yesterday, I came across an article about Shane MacGowan’s new teeth. The poor guy’s teeth were notorious for being crooked, rotten, and later on, largely missing.
Having recently broken a molar, and knowing just how painful that is, I cannot imagine what sort of agony he’s been in for most of his adult life. Thankfully, he’s finally gone and gotten new teeth. I don’t know if they’re implants or dentures, but whatever they are, they look (and probably feel) a million percent better.
And now, because I dearly loves me some Pogues, the video for Dirty Old Town. (Also, check out those teeth!)
I can’t believe how quickly the kittens have learned not to bite and scratch while playing. It only took a couple of days for them to get the idea, and a couple more for them to figure out that they can play with claws and teeth, as long as they are gentle. Even with all her claws out, Polly didn’t leave a single scratch on me. Good kitties!
To me, that stands for Terms of Service, but in this case, it’s Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. I had another appointment with a vascular surgeon today, to be evaluated for TOS. He said it’s not always easy to tell for sure whether or not you have it, as there’s no single, definitive test for it. He thinks I may have it, though, so he’s sending me to physical therapy. It won’t hurt, and it might help.
My first PT appointment is this Friday. Good times!
(And this is why I haven’t been doing much painting or doodling. I can’t, because after just a few minutes of writing/drawing/painting, my hand goes numb.)
I love the orange tabby patches on Henry’s back legs. The one on the other side is even bigger.
They like to sleep, curled up together, under an old wooden stool, under my desk. The stool has been used as a cat scratching post for years, a tradition started by Ms. Lea’s Isis and later carried on by Pandora and the rest of my cats. I think it’s funny that the kittens have adopted it as their own.
Sweet William (Dianthus)
Primrose
I had no idea I had Sweet Williams in my garden. I didn’t plant any this year, and I don’t remember planting any last year. The only thing I can think is that they were with some of the stuff I got from Ms. Lea, and that they kept a low profile last year. I almost pulled them up, because I didn’t recognize the foliage and thought it might be a weed. I’m glad I didn’t!
No kitty pictures today, BUT! They are cone free! There was much rejoicing last night, including aerial acrobatics and mutual face washing. Their cuteness knows no bounds.
This little guy was resting on the main door of my building when I got home this morning. I wish I’d gotten a better shot of his face, because it was amazing. I went inside to get my macro lens, but by the time I’d gotten back, he’d flown off. The one face-on shot I did get was taken through the double-glazed window, so it’s not as clear as I’d’ve liked.
Their larvae mimic tree branches. Very cool! I’ve never seen one in that stage, but now I’ll know to keep an eye out for them.
She was flopping around on the bathroom floor and being impossibly cute, so I had to take some photos.
The cone can, in theory, come off at any time now. I took it off for a few hours last Thursday night, but Henry did some vigorous licking at her incision, so I put it back on. The incision looks fine, but the skin around it is a little raw. We’ll try again tomorrow, but I’d rather err on the cautious side. And besides, it’s not like the cone is hampering her ability to get around and play, so I don’t think it’s a big deal to leave it on a few more days.
Speaking of playing, I picked up one of those bendy sticks with feathers and a tinkle bell on the end. Somehow, Polly got it down from its hiding place. She played with it for a couple of hours yesterday, and then Henry got hold of it and spent 3-4 hours playing with it. So much for it being an interactive toy! Henry even carried it into the bathroom with her, when she used the litter box, and then carried it back out again. That was $5 well spent.
Harriet is still not amused, but she’s being very good with the kittens. That may be because, so far, at least, they’re being respectful of Harriet’s personal space. I’ve been able to leave them out together while I’m at work, even. Heaven help the first cat to jump up on the bed, though. I have a feeling that Harriet may have strong opinions about that.
red paper boat 