“I’m a fuzzy-headed warm-hearted liberal, and I think fuzzy-headed warm-hearted liberalism is an ideological stance that needs defending—if necessary, with a hob-nailed boot-kick to the bollocks of budding totalitarianism.” (Charles Stross)
Yeah, right on, and if you disagree with this, I reserve the right to tell you, with all due respect, to go boil your head.
Dogs are for life, and just because we are in a recession, or they don’t match the furniture, they should not be abandoned.
One article here about stupid owners. I’m sure one could find many more.
Part I of a series about Linguistic Register.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Dogs are a man’s best friend:
“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.” (Gustav Mahler)
I do not get the connection between the two parts of this post. I entirely agree about dogs, but since when has the only alternative to fuzzy-headed, warm-hearted liberalism.been totalitarianism?
If that guy tried to kick me in the nether regions, he would spend the next two days trying to find his teeth! I reserve the right to tell you to grow up, assuming you are being serious!
I’m not being serious, FEEG, it is entirely not serious. Well, actually apart from the dogs, that is, and possibly whales, but they don’t make good pets.
Thank goodness for that, it did seem a bit out of character 🙂
Well, yes, indeed, but I couldn’t find a suitable knitting pattern, FEEG, and Boadicea would prefer the site moved on.
Since she is not a dog person, she may well take issue with my sentiments; this can only be a Good Thing!
Thanks for the post Araminta. I do need a bit of light hearted relief… 🙂
I’m not a dog person at all, in fact I wouldn’t have any pet because I don’t want the responsibility! It makes me very angry that people buy animals and then dump them when they realise that they actually need caring for.
Many years ago when we lived in Canberra we found three puppies had been dumped on our drive on Christmas morning. Obviously one of our neighbours had bought them for a present and decided (far too late) that they didn’t really want them.
Ah, well, I thought it may prove to be a distraction, Boadicea, but I agree, one doesn’t need to be a dog person or a tree hugger to appreciate the irresponsibility of such people. 🙂
… I suppose a whale would be out of the question too? 😉
Absolutely!
Thought you might say that! 🙂
Didn’t Chinese mandarins carry Pekinese dogs around in their sleeves? Wonder how they coped with these behavioural problems. How very sad that these poor dogs have had their little lives spoiled by such lame-brains.
Araminta, perhaps we could try cake recipes, if you can’t find knitting patterns. After seeing a minute Simnel cake priced at £12.50 in Harrods today, I think I’ll make my own.
Hi Sheona.
Yes indeed, regarding mandarins and Pekinese, but I’m tempted to not even think about how they coped with canines who did not fit in.
Moving on hastily, cake recipes would be good, but I was absolutely impressed by one Christmas Pudding purchased from Harrods, some years ago, but it was rather expensive.
A dog is not just for Christmas. Well, not unless it is a particularly big one and you live in Peking, in which case it will probably stretch till supper on Boxing Day.
OZ
I just don’t see folk who wear string vests knitted from All Bran getting stroppy. What are they going to do, attack me with a bag of sugar. “Watch out, he’s holding a bag of Demerera, AND IT’S OPEN.”
OZ, I cannot imagine you would actually endorse feasting on your near relatives.
🙂
A tasty goat, maybe? 🙂
Yikes, OMG, we are much too concerned about our own bowel movements to take your comment seriously, but your threat is real. Sugar, my goodness, and Demerara; how very dare you! 😉
Araminta – As I have said many tines before, dogs are merely wolves that have sold out to the enemy. Do you happen to have a goat about your person, as a matter of the most casual interest?
OZ
Um, OZ, I don’t normally carry goats around, but it could be arranged. I could borrow one!
NIghty night, everyone, and thank you for your comments.
I’m not proud. A borrowed one would be equally tasty. I shall spatchcock it on the oil-drum barbie and send a photo to Sipu’s photo competition.
OZ
And a nighty night to you too, Araminta.
OZ
Ara – I think my son is a potential tree hugger. Certainly now he has a propensity to pee on trees. Rather then pee in school before he comes home, he will instead, drop his trousers on route home and aim for a tree telling me “daddy, that tree will grow now.” Its kind of cute but I’m hoping he will grow out of it! (Oh I should say his range is only about 3-4 feet!)
The most sensible way to deal with the problem of dog abandonment is for potential owners to be required to pay a substantial deposit, say £1,000. They can reclaim the deposit when the dog either dies (vet certificate required) or is given/sold to someone who in turn has to pay a deposit. If the dog is lost, abandoned or maltreated, no return of deposit.
sipu, #23 0ught to be employed with people’s children.
PapaG.
I suspect he’ll grow out of it; well I hope so, anyway! It is rather cute at his age, but…. 😉
Sipu.
Not a bad idea, but what puzzles me, is that these dogs cost about £1000 to buy as puppies, but that doesn’t stop these idiots abandoning them. Perhaps the same amount as a deposit might deter them though.
Tina,
I think it would have to be substantially more for it to work with children. They cost a small fortune anyway, but I doubt that is taken into account by some!