(Ours regularly chases other neighbourhood cats off the property – when she's allowed out – but has yet to sustain any injuries, probably because she is big and they mostly seem to be small. And fast.)

And Dejected Tail is a well-known post-traumatic psychosomatic injury ;-)

So, when next in blogging extremis, more Colin stories would be appreciated-

I love cats – but I live in a bird area (yes, I've investigated Main Coons but it seems like even they are not wholly trustworthy around birds...)

You couldn't have an indoors cat? Litterboxes are a bit of a drag, but it's otherwise possible.

we've also acquired a cat. we named him quicksilver, because he darts, and talks a hell of a lot.

but... we've discovered that he animal is monumentally stupid.

so stupid we've renamed him thicksilver. it's working well.

thicksilver

Heh.

We've had a very, very expensive vet bill this year. The cat owes us, but I'm getting a little bored with her repaying us with headless rats, and / or ratless heads.

Hermes, the one with the dodgy kidneys, survived being hit by a train about six years ago.

Our vet is going to have?

we've also acquired a cat. we named him quicksilver, because he darts, and talks a hell of a lot.

but... we've discovered that he animal is monumentally stupid.

Some sort of Siamese then, no?

@ Lucy,
My man's sister has an indoor Siamese?

My own one decided to go behind the fridge last week. When trying?

the second time it happened? the cat went to?

we're thinking of getting a cat-door. but won't pay to have it put in, because the munter likely won't be able to work it. so far he's proof that being part-siamese does not guarantee smarts.

Speaking as a cat person, they can be taught! And boy, are they pleased with?

How about making no noise unless there's a rumble on?

unless you want to be one of those journalists that hosts answers to readers' gardening questions.

I have one: I can never work out if it's more important to expose tomatoes to the sun, or shield them from the wind. I just can't seem to strike a successful balance.

How?

How about letting the man blog about his cat, if that's what he feels like doing?

Srsly. Indeed, if Russell wants to blog daily about the size and consistency of his cat's shit, that's his prerogative, Bobby Brown styles.

Pet-owning note: Americans are really into indoor cats, and are likely?

Quietly predict a huge spike in page hits.

Anyway, Bill (RIP) used to sit on the front steps of our Ngata Street flat with us on the few days when a milky sun would fool us into thinking Palmy weather wasn't so bad. I say sit with?

Pet-owning note: Americans are really into indoor cats, and are likely to look askance at you if you have an indoor-outdoor cat. I have even heard people say that having a free-roaming cat is animal abuse, which I find quite strange.

Verily. Justine and I looked after my sister's cats?

Flatmate had a pregnant cat who had her belly ripped open in a fight. The vet said we had to put her down, but we said no. 2 years on, she's still eating birds etc.

Sidenote: I had to have a wee chuckle when I saw the headline,?

Dejected Tail is a well-known post-traumatic psychosomatic injury

That was my operating assumption the last time Huckle came home from a catfight with a noticeable droop. A couple of days later, his tail was still drooping, and I discovered – an hour before the babysitter was due to arrive on?

Lucy – I have a difficulty about keeping a cat totally indoors = I mean,it's an animal;intrinsically it has to have a relationship with an environment =not just inside a house...

Fair enough; you'd need a pretty big house to make it work. Our Manx does spend about 95% of?

Personality a lot closer to a dog than a cat; it likes just hanging out near you but won't sit on your lap

Yeah, Colin's a doggy sort of cat too. He clearly likes us a lot, will mooch around looking to be picked up — but doesn't do laps.

Previous kitty (Blimpy) was very dog-like, followed me around, begged for food, would roll over so you could tickle her tummy, etc. We wondered if she was brought up with a dog (she was a stray and we had no idea where she?

Srsly. Indeed, if Russell wants to blog daily about the size and consistency of his cat's shit, that's his prerogative, Bobby Brown styles.

Surely this could be read as merely
"going through the motions..."
;- )

I'm sure our vet doesn't see?

Americans are really into indoor cats, and are likely to look askance at you if you have an indoor-outdoor cat. I have even heard people say that having a free-roaming cat is animal abuse, which I find quite strange.

Canadians too. I believe some city councils have passed bylaws saying?

When they were checking her allergies originally, they were working on the allergy line, then if she didn't respond to?

How about making no noise unless there's a rumble on?

I thought Russell's story was about a rumble. A particularly feline rumble. One that apparently those of us with cats (or those of us who wish we did) were quite happy to read. Because not everything we read needs to?

Frost this morning. Sharp it was, the air rang with it. I got up early and walked down the New King's Road to Parsons Green. Near where William lives there was a dead cat by a bus stop, pretty well flattened out. He looked?

But here's something gentle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-Z5wQHGn5g

Will make a beeline for the lap of whoever in the house is most unlikely to want him

Isn't this a truism when it comes to cats? :)

Yes Russell you are correct – cats are a non-story, unless you want to be one of those journalists that hosts answers to readers' gardening questions.

Sorry, I'm just not your guy for gardening tips.

How about making no noise unless there's a rumble on?

Ah, Pete — you've rather?

I'm finding it hard to read this thread without taking an antihistamine.

My nose is twitching too. Sounds like Colin is a bit Cool for Cats...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ2cEc_TCH8

Sorry, I'm just not your guy for gardening tips.

You mind if I bags that one Russ? The herb garden we built over summer is doing great (fresh oregano, marjoram and thyme in last night's pasta were a treat) and as soon as winter is almost done I'm going to?

Will make a beeline for the lap of whoever in the house is most unlikely to want him

Isn't this a truism when it comes to cats? :)

I've never understood how they know in a group of people which one is the allergic one, and why they do it?

I recognise this story; when I moved house a few years back into a very cat-ridden cul-de-sac it was a tough first year?

Can you also give tips on how non-gardeners can grow things in Wellington's gales

We grew potatoes in tyres (free from Firestone, they're happy to give you as many as you can stuff into your car) for a sciency project. I've re-used the tyres for growing herbs and it works?

Will make a beeline for the lap of whoever in the house is most unlikely to want him

Isn't this a truism when it comes to cats? :)

Cats, like most animals, see eye contact as threatening. Humans are the?

I've never understood how they know in a group of people which one is the allergic one, and why they do it?

Because, for a cat, squinting ones eyes and looking away is a sign of pleasure or contentment. Whereas widening ones eyes is seen as a threat. For humans?

Ah, Pete — you've rather missed the pointed, haven't you?

Although actually Russell, you should apologise for giving me a hell of a scare. When I saw the title of this post, my first thought was that it was going to be along the lines of Damian's "No Pussy Blues"?

Although actually Russell, you should apologise for giving me a hell of a scare.

Oh, sorry. Colin is definitely very much alive and trying to rest his kitty butt on my desk. But I know what you mean about cats dying. Shudder.

Because, for a cat, squinting ones eyes and looking away is a sign of pleasure or contentment. Whereas widening ones eyes is seen as a threat.

Not to disappoint the lovely creatures, I widen my eyes at them and then I attack them.

Because, for a cat, squinting ones eyes and looking away is a sign of pleasure or contentment

Wait a minute, so when my cat gives me 'that look' he's actually happy?

The tables have now turned. Hmm, am I as sporting as Gio? 'Here kitty kitty' [Squints].

Cats, like most animals, see eye contact as threatening. Humans are the reverse.

Speak for yourself!
:)

Fiercely independent it would sleep in one of two places; the laundry room cupboard or in my bed at night at my feet. It would jump up and half asleep I'd lift the covers so it could crawl down to my feet... weird.

Ours will sleep nowhere but at the?

And Jake Pollock – thanks for adding to my – somewhat limited – knowledge of cats...

Most of the whanau have?

in fact, she watches us in the shower to make sure we're not drowning.

Writing 'bout cool pets.If I suggest a shower to my dog Stella, she goes and sits in the shower and waits to have it turned on. She's soo cool. :)
Stella

and was gifted with a kind of warm reticence/reserve

I love that Colin — who has a bit of Abyssinian or something in him — almost never mews. When he does, you know it's serious.

He has instead learned to ask to be let out by gently poking at stuff?

the full Mutley laugh.

aka the "precious pup" laugh

(which is what my mum used to call me as a child, due to my asthmatic guffaws).

shower

admiring the skillful segue to dogginess in the cat thread, Sofie

?;3

Eye-smiles" are supposed to be impossible to fake, unlike toothy grins.

Someone hasn't been watching their America's Next Top Model, or you'd know all about "smizing".

in fact, she watches us in the shower to make sure we're not drowning.

Lucy, have you considered that perhaps your cat is just?

(__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

("`-''-/").___..--''"`-._
`6_ 6 ) `-. ( ).`-. _.`)
(_Y_.)' ._ ) `._ `. ` `-..-'
_..`--'_..-_/ /--'_.' ,'
(il),-'' (li),' ((!.-'

Me? How?

Eric Bogle had something to sing about them.

And we can't forget Little Gomez since we are talking about pets....

always appreciated

noice

It's knowledge, bro.

Thanks for the tip regarding avoiding cats and averting my allergy. I shall try out your tip next time I'm faced with a cat; eyes wide and staring at the cat.

Fiercely independent it would sleep in one of two places; the laundry room cupboard or in?

Lucy, have you considered that perhaps your cat is just a pervert?

Also possible. Especially given that she thinks the presence of humans on the bed is an invitation to come sit and pur. Even when they're doing that strange human mutual grooming thing.

when they're doing that strange human mutual grooming thing

It has been a while since Emma posted hasn't it.

Our cat love laps, but really doesn't like naked laps (shorts). I think she is a bit freaked out by the idea we can take our fur off.

Also possible. Especially given that she thinks the presence of humans on the bed is an invitation to come sit and pur. Even when they're doing that strange human mutual grooming thing.

When my girlfriend got a kitten, the first thing we taught it was to sleep at the **foot**?

Eye-smiles" are supposed to be impossible to fake, unlike toothy grins.

Someone hasn't been watching their America's Next Top Model, or you'd know all about "smizing".

Yikes, dont go recklessly googling that! OK I've seen the clip or Tyra and Larry King, and I think they look like scary aliens.?

I've seen the clip or Tyra and Larry King, and I think they look like scary aliens.

Tyra is a *megalomaniac* scary alien. I do not say this lightly: I think only accidents of birth and circumstance have prevented Tyra from becoming the fascist dictator of a rogue state, like?

Tyra is a *megalomaniac* scary alien.

Isn't the general scary-alien-ness of ANTM the reason people watch it? Those folks came down in a different spaceship from the rest of us.

Isn't the general scary-alien-ness of ANTM the reason people watch it?

Pretty much, yes. My favourite part of the current-on-NZ-TV season, which is all about models under five foot seven, is how relentless they are about the "petiteness" of the models. "This is the shorty-shortpants season! They're short! Were you?

Those folks came down in a different spaceship from the rest of us.

Maybe that's why the contest is called Miss Universe .. it's open to contestants from other solar systems.

it's open to contestants from other solar systems.

Indeed! "Take me to your top-model!"
:-)

She is transparently, extraordinarily self-aggrandising, and a complete and utter nutbar.

Did you see her interview the dominatrix on her chat show? Jay-sus.

Did you see her interview the dominatrix on her chat show? Jay-sus.

I can only handle thirty seconds of her chat show at a time, usually the clips which are snarked-upon with great relish by Joel McHale of The Soup. Should I seek it out, or would it destroy my?

*and a quarter inch. Thank you.

Should I seek it out, or would it destroy my soul?

Soul. Well, I dunno, what's your tolerance for seeing another woman told she must have been sexually abused? Probably by her father? Because you can count the number of times she does it before you want to slap her?

The shortest of the bunch is five foot three, and they treat her as though she's practically a freak of nature. It occurred to me while watching last week that *I'm* five foot three

Don't panic Danielle, 5'3" is a bloody excellent height to be.

But looking at the "available now" page on the SPCA's website reduced me to tears yesterday.?

And don't be afraid of dogs – there's some really good ones around, like your friend, Marbo. And my Cleo

If only it were that easy. When I was a child, whenever I went to my Uncle's house, he had to lock his dog in the garage.

Said dog was?

Oh, Megan, that is exciting. And don't be afraid of dogs – there's some really good ones around, like your friend, Marbo. And my Cleo.

But I wouldn't be outside if he was. Wimp.

Yeah, easy. Apart form the 'twice bitten, three times as shy' rule.

First was a doberman,?

and yet they sometimes seem to be thinking "if only I were bigger, you'd be dinner"

Nah, just eating you would be too easy and not painful enough.

It's more like "If only I was bigger, I'd be slowly pulling your limbs off one by one and watching you crawl?

I'd get bored so just wander off, leaving you to die slowly, in total agony, all alone.

You're not helping, just so you know |-)

Nah, just eating you would be too easy and not painful enough.

Frankly, it what appears to be deliberate bastardliness that I like about cats. I once watched Jeeves go outside, tread in the mud puddle where the hose leaked, then come inside and paw-paint all over the bathroom. Then?

You're not helping, just so you know |-)

Sorry. :) They're fluffy though, so that helps.

Frankly, it what appears to be deliberate bastardliness that I like about cats.

Agreed. I loved Blimpy more than anything but what that cat could do to a harmless cricket would make a grown?

your friend, Marbo

That photo of Marbo caused some serious squee over here on Auckland's westside, let me tell you.

caught my cat in the bathroom sink last night, licking the taps

Woke up one night to the sound of our cat lapping water from my wife's bedside water glass. That did kind of explain why my bedside glass was always empty when I couldn't remember drinking it.

Two changes?

Apparently they like their water source to be away from their food source.

They also seem to prefer semi-stagnant, for some reason. I'll put out some new water and they'll ignore it and go off and guzzle from the saucer of a plant pot.

some new water and they'll ignore it and go off and guzzle from the saucer of a plant pot.

Not an expert or anywhere close, but as a cat, I'd prefer rain water to tap water. I can smell chlorine in tap water. Can you imagine an animal's?

dogs dont care really, but cats do-

Hi Islander. :)
Dogs...shit.. etc but then again Stella does not like tap water (or catching, eating birds).... I respect that. See isn't life so simple? ;)

Chlorine is a huge turn-off for this human animal

And probably would be for this one too, if I lived in Mahitahi. As it is, we city-dwellers eat, drink, and breathe poison every day, so we have cast-iron stomachs. ;)

Not an expert or anywhere close, but as a cat, I'd prefer rain water to tap water. I can smell chlorine in tap water.

Our water is lovely. The cats will still drink out of vases, pot plants, puddles, the toilet...

Unfortunately, there has been a large number of instances of dogs – paticularly & especially – killing birds in Big O. For a long time. Adult birds. Breeding birds. Which is why I'd only entertain the idea of a cat round my?

Unfortunately, there has been a large number of instances of dogs – particularly & especially – killing birds in Big O.

I'd suggest that is a sign of neglect. Are ya starving them or something? And how could you suggest Bella would not probably eat birds. She's knows better.:)

Nah, most of the dogs (in fact almost all of the bird-killing dogs – 'cos us sweet wee locals shoot the local criminal dogs) are brought in by loops who – Hey! Lookit beach! Let the dog have a run?

They also seem to prefer semi-stagnant, for some reason. I'll put out some new water and they'll ignore it and go off and guzzle from the saucer of a plant pot.

Ours was greatly disappointed when we got rid of the convenient fishtank she'd been drinking out of for the?

People can be really really stupid – and selfish-

Unless you're an Alsation

Or Colin, the cat, but in defence, only wanted to make friends. :)

People can be really really stupid – and selfish-

Aye. Everywhere you look, there they go.

and yet they sometimes seem to be thinking "if only I were bigger, you'd be dinner"

I told our late, lamented pussy cat, Paget, regularly during the later months of 1999 that he was our Y2K emergency food supply – 9kg or so of mostly-muscular cat would have fed the?

That photo of Marbo caused some serious squee over here on Auckland's westside, let me tell you.

Glad to oblige. I got to hang out with him on the weekend. He's my favourite animal in the world. Including the human ones.

I told our late, lamented pussy cat, Paget, regularly during the later months of 1999 that he was our Y2K emergency food supply – 9kg or so of mostly-muscular cat would have fed the family for the requisite 3 or 4 days...

Thank god, I thought we were the only?

except in dire emergency

Well, exactly, we're talking apocalypse, zombies, end of the world here, not just start eyeing up the kitty every time it starts raining heavily.

and yet they sometimes seem to be thinking "if only I were bigger, you'd be dinner

Like humans do.

They also seem to prefer semi-stagnant, for some reason.

That's most likely because water loses its chlorine once it's been standing for about 24 hours. Fresh tap water will still have its chlorine in it.

There are very clear messages everywhere round Big O – dogs welcome but MUST be on a leash at all times...so, FJG DoC gets dozens of messages a week about free-roaming dogs?

People can be really really stupid – and selfish-

Like the time a woman in a boat decided?

@Bart – We have recently swapped to water bottles on the bedside table too, after waking to the sound of kitty lapping... Or I take a glass of water to bed and drink it immediately, which kinda defeats?

Like humans do

recent posts seem to support your thesis

still petite enough to be trained to sleep at the end of my bed

but you wouldn't get any sleep, what with the whining and hair-tossing

but you wouldn't get any sleep, what with the whining and hair-tossing

There was a bit of commotion yesterday in Parliament as the Miss Universe contenstants came to watch from the gallery. Various single male MPs were falling over themselves to get noticed. The contestants stayed for a while and?

Or the bath, immediately post shower.

My dogs do that if they can. I think that's to do with it tasting like you – fat, oil, bits of skin. In much the same way that a dog might lick you I guess. And umm gross.

Well, exactly, we're talking apocalypse, zombies, end of the world here, not just start eyeing up the kitty every time it starts raining heavily.

The predators' handbook. Keep your friends close, and your dinner closer.

There was a bit of commotion yesterday in Parliament as the Miss Universe contestants came to watch from the gallery. Various single male MPs were falling over themselves to get noticed.

Suave ginga alert