Comfort Reads discussion
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Jeannette wrote: "Lee wrote: "Yes, that's what I'm afraid will happen. Poor wee birdies."
Why do you let the cat out? I always keep mine in, to protect them and the other critters. I know not everyone feels this way..."
My cats can't go out, but even if they could I wouldn't let them. There are too many coyotes. Sophie is a ragdoll cat and has no defensive behaviors. I swear that she wouldn't last 45 seconds outside. Maxie is a pixiebob and can't have the shots that she would need to be outside...but I bet she could take out a coyote if she had the chance because she's one tough girl.
Why do you let the cat out? I always keep mine in, to protect them and the other critters. I know not everyone feels this way..."
My cats can't go out, but even if they could I wouldn't let them. There are too many coyotes. Sophie is a ragdoll cat and has no defensive behaviors. I swear that she wouldn't last 45 seconds outside. Maxie is a pixiebob and can't have the shots that she would need to be outside...but I bet she could take out a coyote if she had the chance because she's one tough girl.
Lee wrote: "Our cat was originally a barn kitty rescue. He lived outside and when we tried to keep him in he just yowled and yowled. He still does it if he can't get outside after a few hours of being in. W..."My parents actually tried to keep some of the barn cats inside a few years ago because we lost a few to the coyotes. But, they just would not go for it. Like Lee's cat, they yowled, but they also tried to jump through one of the bedroom windows which was closed at the time. It often is simply a case of what a cat is used to and how old the cat is. A kitten can likely be trained to be an inside only cat, but not all adult cats who have been outside or who have lived most of their lives outside can be retrained.
Barn cats or cats that have always gotten to be outside, I can understand. But too many people just think their cats need to be outside. Then they wonder what happened when their kitty never comes home. It's not nice for me when their cat comes into my yard to eat birds and use my sandbox or garden bed as the potty, either.
My cats are like yours, Christine. The black one got out one night and we found him the next morning with eyes like saucers, crouched by the house! Poor thing. Neither has any outdoor combat skills, but they don't attempt to get out, nor do they (thankfully) fuss about it! I feel for you Lee and Gundula.
My cats are like yours, Christine. The black one got out one night and we found him the next morning with eyes like saucers, crouched by the house! Poor thing. Neither has any outdoor combat skills, but they don't attempt to get out, nor do they (thankfully) fuss about it! I feel for you Lee and Gundula.
I would love to keep my cats indoors, but since they were all 3 rescues, it was a losing battle.
Jeannette wrote: "Barn cats or cats that have always gotten to be outside, I can understand. But too many people just think their cats need to be outside. Then they wonder what happened when their kitty never come..."I know. I had an acquaintance in Waterloo, who actually "forced" her cats to be outside at night because she felt that was the "catty" thing to do. And, then she wondered why her neighbours were angry that the cats were messing up their gardens etc. She finally learned her lesson when one of her cats was run over by a car, but I wish she had learned that lesson earlier. Why did it take her cat getting hurt for her to figure out that most cats are much better off inside?
Jeannette wrote: Neither has any outdoor combat skills, but they don't attempt to get out, nor do they (thankfully) fuss about it"
Mine don't either. They are content to sit at the windows, but they never try to get out. Sophie will sit right at the open door as Dixie goes in and out, and she'll watch her without any attempt to try the outdoors for herself.
Mine don't either. They are content to sit at the windows, but they never try to get out. Sophie will sit right at the open door as Dixie goes in and out, and she'll watch her without any attempt to try the outdoors for herself.
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Wow, he's determined! I think if you get kittens, they can always stay inside and they get used to it. I am assuming he's neutered, but the lady cats must be too much for him in spite of it!
I got adopted by a stray once, but he was looking for a indoor home. Maybe he was tired of being outside, because even when my roommate tossed him out, he stayed in front of the windows, bathing!
I got adopted by a stray once, but he was looking for a indoor home. Maybe he was tired of being outside, because even when my roommate tossed him out, he stayed in front of the windows, bathing!
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I bet there would be lots of kitties in Toronto that look like your guy. I hope he does okay in the new house.
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Wow, that is pretty steep! In my city, there is a leash law, so cats are not allowed to roam at will. As part of the law, no one is permitted to trap a cat. So, I guess you have to take a photograph, and then find out who the owner is and then report them. That all seems rather complicated to me. And, I have yet to see a cat on a leash. I have seen quite a few loose cats. I chase them out of my yard when I spot them. You should see how my vicious tigers react to the foreign invader cat! lol
My sister in London, Ontario takes both her cats for walks with their harness and leash - and don't laugh but she actually has a stroller for them too!
Shelley wrote: "My sister in London, Ontario takes both her cats for walks with their harness and leash - and don't laugh but she actually has a stroller for them too!"
That's sweet!
That's sweet!
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Jeannette, I've never heard of a leash law for cats. Cats are everywhere here. I think it's probably illegal to trap a cat but obviously that doesn't stop this guy.
The leash law is new in the last year or so. It corresponds to the dog leash law that forbids loose or roaming dogs. It is basically saying "no more tossing kitty out at night to roam the neighborhoods causing messes in somebody else's yard." No one expects to actually see a cat on a leash, even though I have seen it. I have not seen kitty strollers, but I have seen dogs in those Hurley bike things, meant for kids.
If it was illegal, I would think the SPCA would be on to him. He could be lying to them, but it would look suspicious!
If it was illegal, I would think the SPCA would be on to him. He could be lying to them, but it would look suspicious!
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Lee wrote: "Shelley, did you change your avatar? Is that you? Heehee, a stroller! Sorry, I am laughing.
Yes, it is I..best of luck with your move to Hamilton and your new neighbour! Maybe he needs the leash.
Yes, it is I..best of luck with your move to Hamilton and your new neighbour! Maybe he needs the leash.
Shelley-I love the avatar!
Jeannette, I am so mad at Kenzo! I want to like him and hope that he will redeem himself eventually.
Jeannette, I am so mad at Kenzo! I want to like him and hope that he will redeem himself eventually.
Christine wrote: "Shelley-I love the avatar!
Jeannette, I am so mad at Kenzo! I want to like him and hope that he will redeem himself eventually."
Well, no spoilers from me. That was a very intense scene, wasn't it?
Jeannette, I am so mad at Kenzo! I want to like him and hope that he will redeem himself eventually."
Well, no spoilers from me. That was a very intense scene, wasn't it?
Lee wrote: "Well, we shall soon find out! I will talk to him about our cat so he is aware that we have one and that he does spend time outside. Our yard is comopletely fenced so hopefully he won't wander ov..."When will you move into your new house Lee? Bet you are excited!
Jeannette wrote .....Well, no spoilers from me. That was a very intense scene, wasn't it? ..."Y
Now I feel stupid saying that. I should have read a few more pages....
Now I feel stupid saying that. I should have read a few more pages....
So now I'm feeling a little guilty about feeding the birds here, but considering the absolute frigid temps in the winter, and the feet of snow that bury food, I won't feel too guilty putting food out in January. I can't ever have a cat again, as my fiance is highly allergic. We have the one dog (my icon) but my future sister-in-law moved into our 3rd floor, and my dog now completely ignores me and spends all his time with her and her dog. I guess I understand - she's home all day, encourages him to sleep in her bed, gives him a treat every time he comes up there, and takes them both for long walks every afternoon. It still stinks that my future sister-in-law is a puppy-love stealer and my dog is a traitor who is easily swayed by a dog biscuit!
I have no idea if we have cat leash laws - I know we do for dogs though. There are a few neighborhood cats that stroll nonchalantly through our backyard periodically. There is also one that will walk on the opposite sidewalk from me when I'm walking my dog in the morning - it absolutely drives him crazy to see the cat keeping pace on the other side of the street and knowing he can't get at it!
Paula, I say "Bad Girl" to your future sister-in-law and puppy-love stealer. It's not your pup's fault. Puppies will go where the food is, and future SIL knows that. Did you see the movie As Good As It Gets with Jack Nicholson? He stole his gay neighbor's dog's affections by keeping bacon in his pocket, and the neighbor thought his pup didn't like him any more. Take back your power and keep your pup away from upstairs girl!
Good morning comfies! I am not adjusting to getting up at 5:00 every day. You would think it would be a smooth transition after the summer, but not so much. I was trying to hard to stay alert to read last night, but it didn't happen for me. I hope to finish my book today because I am dying to know what happens.
I'll head out for my walk after I drop Benjamin off. I wish I could walk and read, but I just know I'd fall down, I'm suck a dork.
Today has to be yard work for me. Has. To. Be.
I'll head out for my walk after I drop Benjamin off. I wish I could walk and read, but I just know I'd fall down, I'm suck a dork.
Today has to be yard work for me. Has. To. Be.
Paula wrote: "So now I'm feeling a little guilty about feeding the birds here, but considering the absolute frigid temps in the winter, and the feet of snow that bury food, I won't feel too guilty putting food o..."
Don't feel guilty! I'm sure that the birds love you and are trying to find a way to hack into your computer and delete this thread.
Don't feel guilty! I'm sure that the birds love you and are trying to find a way to hack into your computer and delete this thread.
Christine wrote: "Jeannette wrote .....Well, no spoilers from me. That was a very intense scene, wasn't it? ..."Y
Now I feel stupid saying that. I should have read a few more pages...."
Don't feel stupid about saying it, that was exactly my reaction. You just wanted to slap him, but then the next event starts you thinking about the whole story. That's what I like about this book, its pace. Things just slowly unfold and you get more understanding of everyone and everything as the story concludes.
Now I feel stupid saying that. I should have read a few more pages...."
Don't feel stupid about saying it, that was exactly my reaction. You just wanted to slap him, but then the next event starts you thinking about the whole story. That's what I like about this book, its pace. Things just slowly unfold and you get more understanding of everyone and everything as the story concludes.
Poor, Paula! The little ingrate, accepts your hospitality, moves in AND THEN steals your dog with food. My dog wouldn't hesitate either to follow the food. Someday she might move out and then you'll get your dog back. I hope she shares with you when you're home! I wouldn't recommend bacon in your pockets. Sounds greasy! lol
What's happening at 5am Christine? Is it cross-country practice? That is too early, and now winter is coming it is too dark, too!
I want to do yard work, and cook up all these late-season veggies. AND, we are getting two Japanese students next week, just for 5 days, so I have to power clean the bathrooms. What to do first?? :P
I want to do yard work, and cook up all these late-season veggies. AND, we are getting two Japanese students next week, just for 5 days, so I have to power clean the bathrooms. What to do first?? :P
Paula, I can't blame your almost sister-in-law from mooching your dog - He looks so soulful that you just want to hug him and love him! I think its hysterical about the cat that paces your dog on the other side of the street!
I seem to be way behind when I check in lately, but I won't give up. Lee, good luck with your new cat-trapping neighbor. Some people just don't like animals at all, go figure. When do you move? Christine, 5 am? Way too early! I was unhappy with my dog getting me up at 7:30 this morning. LOL! Paula, what ever happened to man's (or woman's) best friend? Food wins so many over, both animal and human. I hope to get the back porch cleaned today. Still keeping my daughter's pug. She, the pug, seems to have settled into more of a routine now, so it's not so bad having two dogs, and my dog seems to enjoy the company.
Jeannette wrote: "What's happening at 5am Christine? Is it cross-country practice? "
Friday mornings it's before school practice (the other days it is after school), but she wants to be out of the house by 6:15 every morning because she has a club meeting on Wednesdays and she uses the other mornings to study before school. Actually I wake up at 5:20, but close enough.
I did my front flower beds and my walking. Now I'm exhausted and I smell like a barn animal. Off to clean up...
Friday mornings it's before school practice (the other days it is after school), but she wants to be out of the house by 6:15 every morning because she has a club meeting on Wednesdays and she uses the other mornings to study before school. Actually I wake up at 5:20, but close enough.
I did my front flower beds and my walking. Now I'm exhausted and I smell like a barn animal. Off to clean up...
Tell me more about the Japanese students, Jeannette!
Kathy, I love pugs! So jealous.
Kathy, I love pugs! So jealous.
Well, I just finished scrubbing those damnable shower stall doors! I smell like bleach, which I used to scrub all the nasty crevices. I probably smell like a sanitized barn animal! :D
Christine wrote: "I did my front flower beds and my walking."
Brava! Doing your walking. I can't shake the lurghy that has been plaguing me, so I walked one day and then haven't been again! Off to the doctor in two weeks time! So darn hard to get an appointment!
Brava! Doing your walking. I can't shake the lurghy that has been plaguing me, so I walked one day and then haven't been again! Off to the doctor in two weeks time! So darn hard to get an appointment!
Well, now it's official: My kid's a National Merit Semi-Finalist! :)
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's wonderful!!!
Christine wrote: "Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's wonderful!!!"
Thanks, Christine! Now if she could just finish the personal essay....
Thanks, Christine! Now if she could just finish the personal essay....
Big congrats to your daughter Jeannette!!
Jeannette wrote: "Well, now it's official: My kid's a National Merit Semi-Finalist! :)"Wow! Very impressive! Congratulations to her!
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Lee wrote: "Jeannette, I don't know what that means but it sounds very impressive! Congratulations to your daughter!"
Thanks, Lisa!
Thanks, Lee!
It's a nation-wide scholarship competition based on a college entrance test. 16,000 11-grade students across the US qualify as semi-finalists based on test scores. (About 1.4 million kids take this test every year.)
To be chosen as a finalist, she has to write a personal essay, get a letter of recommendation and take a similar test, again, to show the first test wasn't a fluke. Finalists get scholarships from corporations and/or colleges. We're pretty proud that she made it to the semi-finalist list. :) We'll know in January if she makes the Finalist list.
Thanks, Lisa!
Thanks, Lee!
It's a nation-wide scholarship competition based on a college entrance test. 16,000 11-grade students across the US qualify as semi-finalists based on test scores. (About 1.4 million kids take this test every year.)
To be chosen as a finalist, she has to write a personal essay, get a letter of recommendation and take a similar test, again, to show the first test wasn't a fluke. Finalists get scholarships from corporations and/or colleges. We're pretty proud that she made it to the semi-finalist list. :) We'll know in January if she makes the Finalist list.
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Lee wrote: "Wow, that's great Jeannette! You must be so proud of her and all the hard work she has done."
I sure am! She grew up all right! :)
On a side note: They invited her to the group photo with the high school qualifiers and they put (homeschooled) after her name in the caption in the newspaper! That's pretty cool, too.
I sure am! She grew up all right! :)
On a side note: They invited her to the group photo with the high school qualifiers and they put (homeschooled) after her name in the caption in the newspaper! That's pretty cool, too.
I'm reading what is going to be a depressing book, I can tell, so I just enjoyed my new favorite uTube video several times:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgZ4ZT...
and then I had to rewatch my all time favorite uTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUa...
Sorry, not book related. Can you tell that I love musicals?!
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Jeannette wrote: "Good luck with the school choice, Hayes! How cool that he can choose a high school with and emphasis on the classics or math. There is a classical education branch among homeschoolers, and I trie..."Oh for now I'm a night owl since I don't start grad school until October 4, but I'm usually an early riser sometimes when I go to school. But I usually like to stay up late anyway!
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Comfort Reads
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Para Handy Tales (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jane Austen (other topics)Rebecca Stead (other topics)
Ken Jennings (other topics)
Neal D. Barnard (other topics)
Nigel Tranter (other topics)
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Why do you let the cat out? I always keep mine in, to protect them and the other critters. I know not everyone feels this..."
I would rather keep cats inside as well, but with my parents, well, these are barn cats and are used to living outside. I have actually attempted to persuade them to at least make their house cats inside only cats, but I don't think they are in agreement with me. Also, on my own property, there are a bunch of feral cats. I have actually tried to coax them into the house, but they are not interested, and I do not want to call animal control because they will likely simply cull the cats, which I don't want to have happen either.