izzi
Rookie
Posts: 11
|
Post by izzi on May 29, 2005 9:45:48 GMT -5
To everybody in Aus and NZ, tuesday on Rove Live, there will be Vincent Donofrio (according to the ad). And tomorrow is my birthday. I am turning 17. Don't know why, but I feel old. Silly really. have a great day all of you izzi
|
|
|
Post by janetcatbird on May 29, 2005 10:29:05 GMT -5
Oh, Happy Birthday Izzi! Hope you get a chance to do something fun.
I have two cats, a rather scrawny 12 year old calico Cleo and a bloated, allergy-ridden black-and-white Emma. (Emma gets skin rashes and licks her stomach and paws bald. Some time ago she scratched her eye so now even though the cut has healed it gets irritated and we constantly have to wipe the goop out.) They're sweet, my study buddies, although Cleo is getting more and more affectionate, in a crabby sort of way, as she gets older.
My brother is pushing for a dog, has been for years. Dogs are cool too though. Golden retrievers are the best assistants a babysitter can have. I've been with several families that had them, they wear the babies out playing but never do a thing to them. (One in particular came and sat with her head on my lap when I was especially upset and frustrated with Sadistics homework.) But Siberian huskies are beautiful dogs as well.
PS: As to the Memorial Day, I hope that peopel cna enjoy their time off. Techguy, please know I'm thinking of you--and any other veterans--who have been there and witnessed the meanings. And on a side note, Turner Classic is doing a marathon this weekend, check schedule to those who might want to catch some classics. I plan to catch Lon Chaney as the drill seargant (sp?) on Silent Sunday night.#nosmileys
|
|
|
Post by Observer2 on May 29, 2005 20:32:09 GMT -5
In grateful memory of those who have died in service to our Nation -- and in support of those they left behind, the friends, families, and comrades-in-arms, who feel their loss most deeply. However wise or foolish our leaders may have been in any given conflict, we owe a great debt to those who sacrificed so much in answer to their call. (Thank you, Nikki, for finding so perfect an image and sharing it with us.)
|
|
|
Post by Observer2 on May 29, 2005 22:51:33 GMT -5
That's a cute story about the basset hound, Obs. Can you imagine how happy the little guy was when he realised his owner WAS actually praising him. My lifestyle has changed lately to the point where I am seriously considering adopting a dog. It will be my first ever. Before this it has only been cats: Pepe and the current, Mr Pook. I'm torn between an intelligent, placid but large lab retriever breed or a smaller but friskier PBGV. ...I'll be working most days - right now as much 80 hours a week and there's no one at home when I'm gone, so a Siberian would not have the best life he could have with me. Sirenna, Oh yes, the Basset was very relieved by the changes in the owner! It turned him into a happy dog! My own dog passed away last summer, so believe me, I understand the desire to get a dog. So it’s hard for me to say this, and I don’t want to sound mean; but working up to 80 hours a week, with no other human in the household... and counting time to sleep and commute and go to the grocery store, etc... it doesn’t really sound like a good situation for a dog. And it would be inviting disaster to get a breed like a PBGV. PBGVs are high-energy dogs with a strong hunting drive and an intense need for personal interaction. If you left one alone in the house for 8 – 10 hours a day (plus commute, and errands), five days a week, boredom, frustration and loneliness would drive it to distraction. And where some breeds might become depressed and just lie around all day, licking raw patches on their front legs or their flanks, a PBGV would be driven by nervous energy to find something to do... like take the couch apart to see if any critters are hiding in there... or climb up on the table in pursuit of that very active rabbit-like creature (that you call a cat), or tear up the carpet and/or floorboards (or even floor tiles – as a Norwegian Elkhound I knew did) trying to dig its way out to go look for you (or go hunting). Dogs are intensely social animals – much more so than cats, possibly even more so than humans. If your dog is human bonded, then spending most of its life alone (up to almost half the hours of the week with you gone, plus... lord, when do you sleep?), is likely to leave the dog either depressed, neurotic, or both – and with an active, high-energy breed, that translates to destructive. This is true even if there are other animals in the house (even assuming it sees them as companions, not prey... ). I’m sorry to sound so flatly negative about this; but dogs are very social, and just are not designed to spend so much of their time alone. It would be emotionally hard on an adult dog, and absolutely devastating to a puppy. And if you live in an apartment, you would be likely to have trouble from the neighbors. Dogs left alone for many hours every day often end up as chronic barkers and/or howlers. If you later end up consistently working a 40-hour week (or less), that would be something many adult dogs could tolerate fairly well, though it would still be far too much time alone for a puppy, or most youngsters (up to two years old). And it would still be a very good idea to avoid the high-energy breeds – which means all of the terriers, almost all of the herding breeds, almost all of the hunting breeds aside from retrievers, and all of the spitz family (which includes Huskies, Malamutes, etc.).
|
|
|
Post by domenicaflor on May 29, 2005 22:59:28 GMT -5
Thank you Observer and Nikki for the lovely Memorial Day candle tribute.
A peaceful and blessed Memorial Day to all with a prayer for an end to all wars everywhere.
D.
|
|
|
Post by goreneames on May 29, 2005 23:42:59 GMT -5
Happy and safe Memorial Day to all, especially Techguy and other veterans and their loved ones.
Sort of a drag not having a new episode to watch this evening -- especially when we've got such a long summer of reruns to get through before new episodes...
Sirenna, Another 2¢ on the dog issue. They definitely DO take a huge amount of time and love. But they give back so much love, affection and companionship in return! I got my current dog when he was twelve weeks old, and was lucky that at the time, I was working a flexible schedule that allowed me to run home to walk/cuddle him during lunch. I don't know what I'd have done otherwise, as it's nearly impossible to housebreak a puppy without setting up a clear schedule. When he was little (and his bladder was still tiny), he'd even wake me up at 4:00AM for a pre-morning walk. They do require lots of love, training and attention when they're little. But they're worth it!! Adopting an older dog is always a good option. But Observer's right that dogs are social creatures, and your dog will view you as his or her "pack". The worst thing that can happen to a dog is to be shunned or isolated from its pack. And from the dog's point of view, being left alone for long stretches of time can seem like that type of rejection.
|
|
|
Post by LOCIfan on May 30, 2005 0:27:46 GMT -5
Sirenna,
Working 80 hours a week is probably not the best situation for any dog -- unless you have access to some kind of doggie day care, where the pooch can spend at least a portion of your work days frolicking with other canines. That can get expensive, though. Having a dog walker come to your house and give the pooch a walk during the day is another option. Although with an 80 hour work week, even that might still leave the dog with too much alone time. I've actually seen dogs get depressed because they spend too much time by themselves. It's terribly sad.
Dogs are such wonderful companions, though. I hope you are able to experience having one when you feel your lifestyle permits.
|
|
|
Post by blucougar57 on May 31, 2005 0:27:45 GMT -5
To everybody in Aus and NZ, tuesday on Rove Live, there will be Vincent Donofrio (according to the ad). Saw the promo for this during last night's CI ep. I was in the middle of a conversation with my mother and, as usually happens whenever Vincent graces our screens, I went into drool mode and totally forgot what I was saying! I'm going to tape Rove, though, so I can play Mr D'Onofrio back later to my little heart's content. It'll be interesting to see whether it's live feed, or a pre-recorded interview. Sooo looking forward to it. Hope it's more than the standard five minute prattle, but anything's better than nothing. Plus, Vincent being interviewed by Rove...!!! Hope our boy is in good humour. LOL Really good humour. Ps, Happy birthday, Izzi! And no, you're not old. It's just impending adult-hood. Scary, huh?
|
|
|
Post by Cassie on May 31, 2005 13:01:36 GMT -5
All this talk about dogs....I just had to share. I just found this out this morning, but on Nova tonight: Dogs and More Dogs Tuesday, May 31, 8:00pm CHANNEL 12 (WHYY)From the huskies of the frozen north to the basenjis of the Congo River basin and the golden retrievers in America's backyards, dogs have carved a niche for themselves in every human society. How did this unique relationship develop? What can the latest breakthroughs in genetics reveal about dog origins and breeding? And can dog sociologists and psychiatrists unravel the puzzling, lovable and often maddening quirks of dog behavior? Despite wide variation, all domestic dogs, as well as their common ancestor, the gray wolf, have virtually identical genes. How can science explain this incredible diversity? NOVA visits state-of-the-art dog labs where the latest developments in genetic mapping and even cloning are in the air. Along the way, breeders and dog experts, as well as scientists, help explore the bond people share with these remarkable animals, seeking insights into the future of mankind's oldest and closest relationship with another animal species. You can check your local listings at: www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/schedule-local.html
|
|
|
Post by Techguy on May 31, 2005 13:37:25 GMT -5
Hard to believe it's the last day of the month already. Where has May gone? The entire year seems to be zipping by.
Thanks to Janetcatbird, Goreneames, and others who remembered me and my fellow veterans this past weekend. I was aware of the TCM marathon, but I wasn't in the mood for any war movies, and rarely am.
I spent the weekend quietly, keeping the tradition I have maintained for this holiday and Veterans' Day by visiting good friends, some in the veterans hospital, some in the national cemetery.
I even took time to go to the MD parade, but was disheartened that the marchers outnumbered the spectators. I guess having a day off from work is sufficient for a lot of people who prefer the barbeques and picnics to taking some time for reflection about what this holiday is all about.
|
|
|
Post by Patcat on May 31, 2005 16:12:43 GMT -5
Techguy;
I live in Indianapolis, where the meaning of Memorial Day is often lost. But several years ago the organizers of the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade got their priorities right and invited all of the living Medal of Honor winners at the time to serve as Grand Marshalls of the Parade. I'm not sure how many of them made it, but they filled a very large float.
One of the biggest, if not the biggest, crowds ever to watch the parade came. It's the only time I've ever gone to the parade. It was humbling and moving to see these heros, who seemed to be deeply moved when the crowd stood up and cheered them and cheered them and cheered them. Everyone wanted their autographs--including the race car drivers and the celebrities.
One of the WWII winners died the week after the parade. His widow told the press he was very happy because of his reception.
We're not as good as we should be, but sometimes we remember.
Thank you.
Patcat
|
|
|
Post by Metella on May 31, 2005 18:12:42 GMT -5
I wasn't online over the weekend ....
but thank you too for the family members that go it alone while their soldier is out there in harm's way. I am very much of the opinion that a strong military is invaluable to our national safety, and it wouldn't happen without Men like you, TechGuy, so thanks from me (and a shout out to my dad and all other military dad's too).
|
|
|
Post by Techguy on May 31, 2005 18:13:33 GMT -5
Thanks to you too Patcat and Metella.
On another subject, I saw this on the main MSN news page. The Washington Post said Tuesday that the former deputy director of the FBI, W. Mark Felt, was “Deep Throat,” the confidential source who provided the newspaper information that led to President Nixon’s eventual resignation.Confirmation came from Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, the two WP reporters who broke the Watergate story. BW and CB kept the identity of their source secret for decades, but when Felt came out and identified himself, they confirmed his claim.www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8047258/?GT1=6657
|
|
|
Post by Metella on May 31, 2005 18:22:58 GMT -5
COOL !!!! I give major kudos to ANY reporter who could keep that kind of secret for that long.
|
|