tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post7547921730045476551..comments2024-03-29T10:23:10.538+00:00Comments on Thoughts Of A Workshy Fop: The V.C.s Back In Action: Book 2 (2000AD #1327-1335)varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-67149419551013780922017-06-16T00:52:44.400+01:002017-06-16T00:52:44.400+01:00D'awwww. Yeah our dog was well into sticks, a...D'awwww. Yeah our dog was well into sticks, and a rubber ring we also played tug o'war wth. Surprisingly strong Afghan hounds are. And yeah you can have whole blinking conversations with cats. They really like to study your face and size you up. <br /><br />As for standing ground, Biff likes to sit outside the bedroom door and meow like a mother fucker until I come and see what he wants. He'll stand there while I implore him to tell me what he wants then very slowly goes and starts daintily nibbling his food. ARGH. I asked my mum if her cats are on a specific feeding schedule, and she said nah, just if Binky starts standing right in front of me then I am to refill the bowl. It's going to be a fun few days, me and three cats. I plan on doing some writing, hopefully I won't get distracted. Talking of writing I finally got a new post up. Like pulling teeth, but I feel a bit more motivated now.varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-19632509095116562332017-06-15T23:14:35.966+01:002017-06-15T23:14:35.966+01:00Sassy was perfectly happy with sticks and random t...Sassy was perfectly happy with sticks and random things she found on the beach or in the Thames ("Please don't be a body part"). She had an especial fondness for plastic bottles. She liked to crunch them in the noisiest fashion possible. Our joint favourite though was just a bit of old rope for tug of war. That's how she lost her first puppy tooth. Aww.<br /><br />Apparently blinking very slowly is a way of ingratiating yourself with cats. Showing your throat to a dog is a sign you want to be friends (so long as you don't meet the one dog who goes "Ha, sucker" and rips your throat out). And horses seem to like that thing where you blow up their noses with your nose. Heh, I'm a bit of an animal diplomat.<br /><br />It's funny when animals stand their ground and refuse to move regardless. Sas did have a bit of a thing in winter of just plonking herself in front of the fire and staying there even as she started smouldering. They used to use burning dog hair as smelling salts. Can see why.<br /><br />Like your sister's cat I once had a couple of drunk mates jump onto the roof of my truck. So of course I set off. I was going to one of the raves at our local tin mine. Pulled into the car park. Which was full of police. Cornish police are pretty cool anyway but on this occasion it was burlesque night. So they were distracted by hot girls in lingerie projectile vomiting in the car park. Ah I miss those raves.Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-62375211594872369812017-06-15T21:38:04.762+01:002017-06-15T21:38:04.762+01:00Also those toys you brought Sas sound pretty cool ...Also those toys you brought Sas sound pretty cool (bonus point for Hellraiser reference). Cat toys are the biggest con ever, best thing you can give a cat is an empty cardboard box with some holes in. This image pretty much sums it up.<br /><br />http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/box-omg-box<br />varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-17206711664623480512017-06-15T21:30:04.855+01:002017-06-15T21:30:04.855+01:00Ah that's a great titbit of info. I shall tel...Ah that's a great titbit of info. I shall tell Chloe she can now calculate Magnus's olde worlde worth. It would be a lot of corn, he's a big fat bastard. He'd totally stay still while it was being poured over him too. Apparently he was sleeping on the car bonnet the other day and refused to get off as they pulled out of the drive. Chloe and partner actually wondered if they could get to the shops with him still sitting unmoved on it, but felt people at traffic lights would judge them, so got out and pushed him off.<br /><br />I tend to kneel to meet a dog, because I'm not their alpha so I don't want to threaten them. I was also told not to show teeth while smiling at them as that can be miscontrued by more nervous animals too.<br /><br />Cats have scent glands all over their heads so when they rub you they are marking you as Friend. I'be noticed low nonsense talking seems to make cats more relaxed as well. You can't train a cat like a dog, but you can at least understand them a bit better. I also have never actually seen a bad interaction between a cat and a dog. I saw a clip (might have been on Mammoth) of a labrador lying on a sofa and suddenly a tabby cat launches itself from off screen and necklocks the dog, who stays still and just lets the cat get it out of its system. Adorable.varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-33980455850093550052017-06-15T20:32:01.396+01:002017-06-15T20:32:01.396+01:00The fine/compensation for killing a cat in the mid...The fine/compensation for killing a cat in the middle ages was enough corn to cover its body. Reflecting their value in vermin control. There are also some examples of expensively mummified cats from the same period. <br /><br />I love how dogs and cats interact. Someone sent me a video of a cat bullying a German Shepherd. Then when the dog totally surrenders the cat just licks its nose. It's so cute. <br /><br />Cats do seem to like it when you press your forehead against them. Like you say, body language is important. I got told off by an alleged dog whisperer for going down to floor level all the time with Sas. Apparently that's giving up my alpha pack leader status. I always saw us as more of a partnership though. She was very clingy, but I liked that. When she was a pup I was like one of those north London middle class parents. The sort who give their kids certificates for an oxfam donation instead of proper presents. I used to frequent a posh pet shop in Hampstead and buy her 'educational' dog toys. There was one that was like a puzzle box you put biscuits in and she had to line up shapes to get them out. I could never resist saying "Such delights we have to show you". Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-16543938513235295392017-06-15T20:08:06.116+01:002017-06-15T20:08:06.116+01:00I keep telling Chloe that if she lived in the midd...I keep telling Chloe that if she lived in the middle ages Magnus and his pest control skills would mean he was worth lots of money. She moans that they don't live in the middle ages. That said their garden backs onto a railway cutting which are notorious for being riddled with vermin and she is secretly quite pleased he keeps the place mouse and rat free. So are her neighbours, they feed him the occasionally chop as a thankyou, no wonder he has the body shape of The Moog from Willow The Wisp.<br /><br />I had heard that saying re: feeding cats and dogs. It definitely rings true. Dogs are always so pleased at everything you do for them, it's so sweet. Cats make you work a bit harder.<br /><br />I've always got on very well with dogs too. I've learned since a kid the best body language to use when dealing with cats and dogs and so have never had a bad interaction with either. Pro tip with cats, they do all their communicating with their heads, so best approach is to hunker down, let them come to you and present your forehead and you can usually get them rubbing up against you fairly soon. Also some cats are funny about having the tops of their heads touched, but none can resist the chin tickle, let them give your hand a good sniff and go for it, once again they'll usually pretend to put up with it while secretly enjoying it then you can go for the full body stroke. Of course some cats just don't want to have anything to do with humans that are not their owners, but these are my guidelines.varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-68356748176612326372017-06-15T18:57:09.692+01:002017-06-15T18:57:09.692+01:00I've probably mentioned it means 'little g...I've probably mentioned it means 'little green shoots'.<br /><br />I do like cats. Some friends have one called Henry. He's some really sleek posh looking thing. But he's one of those incredibly talkative ones. He likes sitting on me and just chuntering away. He literally never shuts up.<br /><br />Curvey Cat was a big believer that etiquette demanded you should always bring a present of mouse parts when waking you up in the morning. I know the theory that it's because they're disgusted by your hunting skills. She did have a bit of a contemptuous look about her. Even when you fed her. That 'about bloody time' eye roll.<br /><br />Like the saying goes "Feed a dog, they think you're a god. Feed a cat, they think they're a god".<br /><br />I do seem to get on very well with dogs. Even the slavering hell beast ones. Once jumped down into a yard (makes sense in context) to find two dobermans staring at me (why are there always two of them), but just said hello and let them have a sniff and they were as good as gold. Sometimes you encounter the classic 'scrap yard alsatian' type who just snarl and bark at you. But I just stand there smiling and then they just get embarrassed. Then they have to pretend they weren't barking at you. Like when you miss the bus you were running for and have to pretend you're just jogging.Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-55825026025285405002017-06-15T16:19:40.997+01:002017-06-15T16:19:40.997+01:00*nods* My sister Chloe (!) had a ginger cat calle...*nods* My sister Chloe (!) had a ginger cat called Bill who was one cool cat. He also suffered a fatal vehicle accident so now she has a rescue cat called Magnus who is a big fat white and grey patched cat who likes to festoon the living room with rat guts but is adorable with her kids.<br /><br />Jemima was a total softy as well. Very patient as well, while me and Chloe's mates would play with her. Because she was quite big friends would be a bit nervous approaching her first time, but after a short while realised she was as gentle as anything. Awww. I miss her.varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-4870177811100302792017-06-15T14:58:15.955+01:002017-06-15T14:58:15.955+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-89536570259268112922017-06-15T14:55:10.855+01:002017-06-15T14:55:10.855+01:00My friend Chloe has a cat called Bernard Orange, b...My friend Chloe has a cat called Bernard Orange, because he's orange. He's very reserved. (Technically he's Bernard Orange 2; unfortunate tractor accident)<br /><br />I love spanners; they're just so daft. Think it's the ears.<br /><br />Sassy did have a lovely temperament. Completely non aggressive. People used to use her to get their kids used to dogs. She'd stand there patiently whilst they prodded her in the eye, so placid. Funny how dogs know people don't mean harm. When we played football I'd often end up booting her in the head and she'd just wag her tail.Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-40684562560699509162017-06-15T05:14:10.748+01:002017-06-15T05:14:10.748+01:00She had three cats as well and never let them furt...She had three cats as well and never let them further in the house than the garage. They weren't locked inside to be fair, but I couldn't understand why she spent all the money needed to feed them etc and not get the cuddlesome benefits. And they were three very cuddly cats, because when I looked after her house I'd let 'em upstairs and they'd all come and sleep with me at night. It was lovely. Her black and white cat was a real Greebo. A big, fat, cocky, smug beast that chased cars and rolled it's eyes at dogs. He was the main reason I decided I wanted a black and white cat of my own. There does seem to be some slight correlation between coat colours and personality types with cats, eg: all tabbies I have ever known are hopelessly neurotic.<br /><br />From what you've written Sassy sounds like she was a lovely dog. I do sometimes wish circumstances allowed me to have my ideal dog, a bull terrier. Maybe when Biff passes (which I hope will be a good while from now obviously) I'll be in a situation when I can, in which case I'll get a cat and dog together. Can't not have a cat. Unthinkable. But I'll probably wind up with two cats instead.<br /><br />I must admit I was super tempted to take on my friends second dog which was a Springer Spaniel. Took that dog on so many walks when I was having a tough time of it mentally, something very therapeutic about walking a dog. We used to explore a lot and I'd bring her home covered in mud. I missed her a lot when she was handed off to someone else.varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-51792920338193756102017-06-15T00:12:35.217+01:002017-06-15T00:12:35.217+01:00I'm not a fan of people who treat animals as a...I'm not a fan of people who treat animals as accessories as you can imagine. Some arty farty hipster friends of a friends' daughter (think I got that right) had a wolf. Poor thing was pretty badly behaved and aggressive. But that was because they just didn't know what to do with him. And you know, wolf. I nearly ended up with him. We actually got on ok after a while. But I suggested they hand him over to a sanctuary. Better for everyone. Must confess though I was tempted. And I bet he wouldn't have got any crap from bus drivers. He probably would have eaten sassy though.Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-63833425425588123392017-06-14T23:28:36.641+01:002017-06-14T23:28:36.641+01:00Hee, dogs can be funny about public transport. I w...Hee, dogs can be funny about public transport. I was house and dog sitting a mates house and dog a good few years back. I have Views on dog ownership she didn't share. She basically neglected the animal and then wondered why it acted out. This was her third dog btw, after ditching the previous two for acting out. She ended up getting rid of this one too. Now she has a new one she's treating as a novelty toy again, I have run out of evens. Anyway, I stuck to my view that routine is best for a misbehaving dog, and by the time my friend got back she was super well behaved. I had also taken her into Manchester on a train and bus to my sister's and she'd coped very well. Then on the way back the driver of the Magic Bus told me I needed a ticket for her. She was a bloody King Charles Spaniel! I refused to board and caught the Finglands bus that turned up five minutes later. The cheek...varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-59410342919693207702017-06-14T23:08:06.331+01:002017-06-14T23:08:06.331+01:00This was in the wee hours so luckily no real traff...This was in the wee hours so luckily no real traffic. I love nighttime driving. Especially listening to the shipping forecast. It's just so, well, romantic seems the nearest; although that's not quite right. Hopefully you'll get my drift.<br /><br />As for trains, I took sassy on the underground. Once.<br /><br />I actually partly did it just so I could pretend to complain to the staff that it seemed inconvenient to require people to carry a dog if they wanted to use the escalator. I also thought she might enjoy it. Nightmare. I got on and she just stood on the platform looking dopey. Then the doors shut. Me on the train. Sas outside on the other end of the lead. Luckily a couple of 'scary black guys (tm)' yanked the doors open for us. Cheers guys.<br /><br />Fun fact: if the doors on a tube train detect a fault, the brakes lock on and have to be reset manually. Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-81890210569352456202017-06-14T22:54:44.185+01:002017-06-14T22:54:44.185+01:00Also that's an impressive drive you did especi...Also that's an impressive drive you did especially when you consider the fact the roads past Exeter get shittier and more crowded the further west you get. We once did a drive down to Plymouth, me and both sisters, just after Chloe got her licence. We had Biff too and he HATES cars, he's Team Train all the way. He wailed his little furry head off as far as Bristol, while I was doing what I always do when being transported, slept soundly (seriously I even have the hang of catching 20 mins between Manchester and Macc down pat now). We've never done that journey together again. I blame Biff entirely.varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-7437868335940468862017-06-14T22:49:12.818+01:002017-06-14T22:49:12.818+01:00Hah, yes I must admit cats are a little quieter th...Hah, yes I must admit cats are a little quieter than dogs when they sleep. Dogs are the slobs to cats neurotic neat freakiness. I must admit Jemima the Afghan Hound was pretty good at staying on the back seat. I recall a couple of holidays where six of us crammed into mum's best mate's ancient Skoda with her son's dog which was that mongrel type that has a doberman coat gene dominant and every single time the car backfired she dived under the driver's feet. Fortunately mum's friend only drove at about 30 miles and hour, it once took us over five hours to get from Buxton to North Wales. Ah happy days.varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-18823665419248651382017-06-14T22:42:26.653+01:002017-06-14T22:42:26.653+01:00I once drove from London to Cornwall with a Belgia...I once drove from London to Cornwall with a Belgian Shepherd snoring on my lap. Had to do the entire journey without changing gear. We allow it cos we love them (really).<br /><br />(having animals you'll understand snoring was a polite euphemism)Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-21396609060443160742017-06-14T22:13:22.643+01:002017-06-14T22:13:22.643+01:00Also I can't type very easily right now as Bif...Also I can't type very easily right now as Biff is sleeping with his head on the laptop touchpad -_- why do I allow this?!varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-56169269809948508702017-06-14T22:11:21.584+01:002017-06-14T22:11:21.584+01:00Oh lordy, so tired I missed a double entendre. Thi...Oh lordy, so tired I missed a double entendre. This will never do. Right, 11.30 I am putting on a Joan Hickson Miss Marple to lull me into a state of sleepy nostalgia (actually met her when they spent a week filming at Buxton Opera House, front and backstage ["They Do It With Mirrors" 1991) she was a very cool lady) and shut off distractions like the laptop and hopefully by about halfway through I'll be mellow enough for my sleeping pill to actually work for a change and I can get a good 8 hours in.varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-4434393375830816082017-06-14T21:10:20.428+01:002017-06-14T21:10:20.428+01:00"Will try and get it up tommorrow."
F&#..."Will try and get it up tommorrow."<br /><br />F'narr f'narr <br /><br />You get some well earned rest. We can wait. If the worst comes to the worst I can always read the papers for tomorrow's trial.Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-55530632864518160182017-06-14T19:27:00.307+01:002017-06-14T19:27:00.307+01:00D'awwww I love that last picture Malitia. The ...D'awwww I love that last picture Malitia. The next trades are high on my priorities list, I enjoy them so much.<br /><br />Sorry I am being abit rubbish posting and commenting right now, I have a killer combo of insomnia and extreme lethargy. And when I do sleep, I wake up just as tired as before. I had six hours last night and still walked around today in a sleepy daze. It was probably a bad idea to try and write up Devlin Waugh in such a frame of mind, maybe done Megacity Undercover instead, but eh.. I've started now. Will try and get it up tommorrow.varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-8229607078356573112017-06-13T19:08:34.039+01:002017-06-13T19:08:34.039+01:00Aaaaand. I couldn't resist to post, if not bab...Aaaaand. I couldn't resist to post, if not baby but small child SG (and Monkey Joe)!<br /><br />https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/32c6c654cef1184027c3eed9b5dc91f42593d2f1f905cc4bf8ae2a73885b1e2a.jpg Malitianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-22981736506396506092017-06-13T13:48:10.199+01:002017-06-13T13:48:10.199+01:00I never reveal my sources. I'm like Woodward a...I never reveal my sources. I'm like Woodward and Bernstein.Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-33806122851549707652017-06-13T13:42:35.939+01:002017-06-13T13:42:35.939+01:00If asked for source: Unbeatable Squirrel Girl v2 #...If asked for source: Unbeatable Squirrel Girl v2 #16<br /><br />It's an anniversary/birthday issue so it has a party and some glimpses into Doreen's backstory. *Resists urge to post baby Squirrel Girl picture :D *<br />And yes, Loki was invited:<br />https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9009270a269ced5e75617b9ceeffe48449fbf509870f92e58b066b1d065e884c.jpgMalitianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-7446645370374022042017-06-13T13:20:26.376+01:002017-06-13T13:20:26.376+01:00Ooh, I'd just been searching for a picture for...Ooh, I'd just been searching for a picture for a friends birthday on Facebook. I could have used that. I'll save it though for another comic obsessed friend.Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.com