h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Oh, dear. Cats will naturally gravitate to her, then. They do that with people who don't like them.

Sounds like you need a people whisperer instead.

My cataloger's husband is very good with dogs. And he is especially fond of Shelties. I'm planning to have him come over and work with Spice a bit. Not sure who to get to tackle training Mother.

And the cats do pester her. They know she doesn't like them and are determined to press the issue.

I don't know what to do about your mom and the dogs - dogs just tell me what to do, and I do it - but I have a tip for your mother about the cats.

Tell her to stare at them, and they will go away.

The reason cats go to people who dislike them is that people who don't like cats don't look at them. To a cat, being looked at can be taken as a hostile action.

Or, as my mother said about the neighbour's mean cat, 'That thing just sits in my yard, and keeps staring at me.' He did.

I suspect Mother resents the attention I pay to the animals. She is quite self-centered. Always has been. She's my mother and I want the best for her, but she is not a warm and cuddly person.

Ah. Then there's not much to be done. But it's sad - animals can bring so much to a person.

We all nagged my dad for several years to get a dog. Now they couldn't imagine life without their Sheltie.

We always had dogs and cats when I was growing up. She tolerated them because Dad wanted them. So we kids grew up loving animals. Got it from him. Now that Dad is gone, she would rather be boiled in oil than to have a pet. And that is certainly her decision to make. Personally, I can't imagine enjoying my life without furry kids around.

The puppies look lovely!

To get even better photos, try getting down as low as possibly - whether it's on your knees, your butt or even lying down flat. I'd love to see a photo of the puppies' faces taken from floor level!

Good idea. I'll have to catch them asleep.

And they are gorgeous, aren't they?

Since your mother doesn't like the dogs, I'm sure they are picking up on that. But that doesn't mean you should put up with them barking around her. Don't let them. When they do, snap your fingers or make some type of noise to let them know that you don't tolerate it. Look them in they eye when you do and just calmly let them know that they can stop it, now. They don't have to be friendly with your mother, but they do have to respect you. After a few incidences like that they should stop, you just have to be confident and in control.

Very dear Hyp.

I started reading your very long thread about your new babies. I must admit I had a broad grin when I read about the change over of sexes of your new little family.

And talking of families I am hoping that K. will come and help care for me now. He certainly offered to do so as soon as he heard. he said

"Maman you have been caring for me for so long. Now it is my turn to care for you".!
Which as you can imagine brought tears to my eyes.

It has been a shock to try and adjust to the new state of my sight - I never knew it could deteriorate so quickly. The truth is I suppose that I have been blessed and that it has actually slowed down since the first cataract operation 25 years ago in Cape Town. So I should count myself very lucky.

Hope the re-sexed Hamish and Heather Hyapatia are continuing to make steady progress. I think that they look like what we used to call border collies in South Africa. Very good sheep dogs as far as I remember.

Any chance of your coming back next year my dear friend? Time is such a precious commodity and at my age starts getting increasingly precious and probably harder to hold onto. !!

With much affection.

A little scratch behind the ears of Hamish and Heather, and a good to Maman who performed so well. !!

Christiane
AR80

27/III/2010


With much affection

Christiane AR80

17/III/2010 6.27 GMT

Christiane, I would love to visit you again, but alas I can't afford it right now. My bank account has taken several large hits lately and I still have to find money for a new roof. I'll be back over there as soon as I can save up enough money for the trip. Must buy lottery tickets. Certainly not this year. The proposed trip to the ballparks and Niagra Falls has been cancelled. No vacations for me this year.

Has Keith made plans to move in with you, then? That would be a great help for you. I hope he's recovered enough to do so.

The pups are 8 weeks old today and are literally into everything. What fun they are. I consider myself fortunate to have them and their mother. They keep me on my toes. They have different personalities. Hamish is very Zen. Heather is more of the holy roller type.

New puppy photos on Fotki. It says they're 9 weeks old, but the first set with the clothes are at 8 weeks and the second set where they're crawling all over Syn are at 9 weeks.

http://hypatia.fotki.com/2010-04-08-heather/

Notice how much lighter Hamish is becoming. He is definitely sable. At first I thought he would be more mahogany sable. Now I think it will be more a caramel shade. I'm anxious to see them grown. They're both going to be gorgeous.

They made their first trip to the vet last week. Got their shots started, got their worm pills,(pooped worms later that night, so they needed the pills) were weighed, poked and prodded. Hamish weighed 5 lbs. and Heather weighed 4.4 lbs. The vet is very impressed with Hamish's ears. He said he thinks they're pure Sheltie rather than a mix. He saw no signs of anything that isn't Sheltie. Everyone there displayed the proper amount of admiration.

The pups go back when they're 12 weeks old for boosters. I'll call and make an appointment to have Spice spayed after that.

Awww.

Yep. Pretty precious.

Gosh, Hypatia, they are illegaly cute youngsters.

Thanks, Elektra. Wish you could see them in person.

Very dear Hyp,

My goodness the two H's are growing up fast. That is quite wonderful.
You are obviously feeding them exactly the right food. I am amazed that they had worms. Do they go outside at all ? I wonder if it can possibly be from the meat/mince that you feed themI? Is it fresh or is it tinned pet food. ?

I had Labradors and French Poodles when I lived in Africa. However when I moved to Cape Town, my last home in Africa after Dick died, my last dog was a golden Labrador called, I cannot remember why, Sean. !! However he disappeared one day. I was broken hearted, and searched for him every day for a week. I even phoned up the people who removed our garden and road waste, thinking that maybe he had been killed in a road accident. However, nothing ever happened. I swore never to have a dog again I was so upset.

Incidentally I see that they are now micro-chipping pets now. Have you had your done? In this way,you can always keep a close watch on them.

Have a good weekend my friend, and hopefully next year you might be able to come over.

K. will probably not come back to live here. I think it is important that he live where there are younger people than his old Ma, and also the pottery facilities which he so loves doing. This lovely Medway town where I have started going to for the weekends,is close enough to be accessible, and also has the art facilities which are necessary for him. I mean I cannot have a kiln in a flat!!.

I am however going to continue to go up to where he is for the weekends. The hotel where |I stay is so incredibly good to both of us and I enjoy meeting other people which is difficuolt living here with a marvellous view but in relative isolation on the whole.

With much affection

Christiane
AR80

Sat. 10/IV/2010 6.37 BST

I thought it was time for an update on the pups. Here is the latest album. http://public.fotki.com/Hypatia/heather-and-hamish/ The little zots won't hold still long enough to capture them playing.

We had their third and final puppy trip to the vet on Tuesday. They're doing great. Hamish weighed 9.8 pounds and Heather weighed 9.5 pounds. The only problem at all is that Hamish has one testicle that still hasn't descended. If it stays like that, it will make it a bit more difficult when it's time to get him snipped. August is the earliest we can have them spayed/neutered.

On that front, I have an appointment on Monday to have Spice spayed. She will then officially be out of the breeding business. And it's about time. Poor thing was quite the little money-maker for her previous owner. She is now entering the "Mom spoils me rotten" stage of her life. I think she's earned it.

It was such a surprise when the pups arrived that snowy day. But I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are an absolute joy to have around. And spice is much happier having them for company than she was being alone all day while I'm at work. Everything considered, it's worked out well for all of us.

Great pics. Elektra in 'aww...' mode, big-time.

I know we get mad about breeders, and worry about the mother's health. But if she's used to having babies, it's nice that she has this litter to mother and enjoy. It makes the hormonal transition easier.

(This from somebody who once had to pretend to be a kitten and 'nurse' after a cat miscarriage. She CALLED us, no lie. After she got over it, she was fine, and never looked back.)