Autumn

[Rhiannon]

One of the great privileges in life is to gain the love and trust of an animal. There's few things I find finer than sitting on the sofa with the wood burner going and I'm reading a book, and the dog climbs up next to me and puts his soft head in my lap. Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night and make a drink and sit with him for a bit, and his gentleness and uncomplicated love always soothes me. Our cat is a rescue, and an old one at that; she doesn't like being handled, but when I sit on my bed to meditate she comes and curls up on my feet.

[wigginhall]

A very fruitful autumn.  We have had huge amounts of apples, and neighbours who have pear trees and quince trees, have been giving us those, so most nights we are slurping stewed fruit.  Still picking raspberries as well, and also grapes. 

[floo]

One of the great privileges in life is to gain the love and trust of an animal. There's few things I find finer than sitting on the sofa with the wood burner going and I'm reading a book, and the dog climbs up next to me and puts his soft head in my lap. Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night and make a drink and sit with him for a bit, and his gentleness and uncomplicated love always soothes me. Our cat is a rescue, and an old one at that; she doesn't like being handled, but when I sit on my bed to meditate she comes and curls up on my feet.

Whatever turns you on, I suppose. All our animals had to know their place and were never permitted in the sitting room or bedrooms. Our daughter's dogs don't like my rules very much when they visit, but TOUGH!

But getting back to the topic of Autumn, it is very Novemberish here today, gloomy and raining.

[Shaker]

One of the great privileges in life is to gain the love and trust of an animal. There's few things I find finer than sitting on the sofa with the wood burner going and I'm reading a book, and the dog climbs up next to me and puts his soft head in my lap. Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night and make a drink and sit with him for a bit, and his gentleness and uncomplicated love always soothes me. Our cat is a rescue, and an old one at that; she doesn't like being handled, but when I sit on my bed to meditate she comes and curls up on my feet.

Absolutely. If the animals with which we share our lives aren't part of the family, what's the point having them in the first place?

[floo]

One of the great privileges in life is to gain the love and trust of an animal. There's few things I find finer than sitting on the sofa with the wood burner going and I'm reading a book, and the dog climbs up next to me and puts his soft head in my lap. Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night and make a drink and sit with him for a bit, and his gentleness and uncomplicated love always soothes me. Our cat is a rescue, and an old one at that; she doesn't like being handled, but when I sit on my bed to meditate she comes and curls up on my feet.

Absolutely. If the animals with which we share our lives aren't part of the family, what's the point having them in the first place?

To be useful like our gerbil. Having said that they must never be ill-treated

[Shaker]

So they only have worth if they have some sort of direct practical utility?

Christ, what a mean and impoverished view of life.

[floo]

So they only have worth if they have some sort of direct practical utility?

Christ, what a mean and impoverished view of life.

I think animals have to earn their keep like humans!

[Nearly Sane]

One of the great privileges in life is to gain the love and trust of an animal. There's few things I find finer than sitting on the sofa with the wood burner going and I'm reading a book, and the dog climbs up next to me and puts his soft head in my lap. Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night and make a drink and sit with him for a bit, and his gentleness and uncomplicated love always soothes me. Our cat is a rescue, and an old one at that; she doesn't like being handled, but when I sit on my bed to meditate she comes and curls up on my feet.

Absolutely. If the animals with which we share our lives aren't part of the family, what's the point having them in the first place?

To be useful like our gerbil. Having said that they must never be ill-treated

my hamster was useful, if often wrapped in sellotape

[Shaker]

So they only have worth if they have some sort of direct practical utility?

Christ, what a mean and impoverished view of life.

I think animals have to earn their keep like humans!

Why? Where's the room for love and affection and companionship (both ways) in all this?

Do babies and children have to earn their keep as well?

[floo]

So they only have worth if they have some sort of direct practical utility?

Christ, what a mean and impoverished view of life.

I think animals have to earn their keep like humans!

Why? Where's the room for love and affection and companionship (both ways) in all this?

Do babies and children have to earn their keep as well?

I couldn't love or feel affectionate towards an animal, but would never mistreat one.

[Nearly Sane]

So they only have worth if they have some sort of direct practical utility?

Christ, what a mean and impoverished view of life.

I think animals have to earn their keep like humans!

Why? Where's the room for love and affection and companionship (both ways) in all this?

Do babies and children have to earn their keep as well?

I couldn't love or feel affectionate towards an animal, but would never mistreat one.

so given your husband and children are animals, you merely refrain from mistreating them?

[floo]

So they only have worth if they have some sort of direct practical utility?

Christ, what a mean and impoverished view of life.

I think animals have to earn their keep like humans!

Why? Where's the room for love and affection and companionship (both ways) in all this?

Do babies and children have to earn their keep as well?

I couldn't love or feel affectionate towards an animal, but would never mistreat one.

so given your husband and children are animals, you merely refrain from mistreating them?

I must admit I not touchy feely where adults are concerned, but didn't mind hugging and cuddling my children when they were young, and now my grandchildren.

[Nearly Sane]

So they only have worth if they have some sort of direct practical utility?

Christ, what a mean and impoverished view of life.

I think animals have to earn their keep like humans!

Why? Where's the room for love and affection and companionship (both ways) in all this?

Do babies and children have to earn their keep as well?

I couldn't love or feel affectionate towards an animal, but would never mistreat one.

so given your husband and children are animals, you merely refrain from mistreating them?

I must admit I not touchy feely where adults are concerned, but didn't mind hugging and cuddling my children when they were young, and now my grandchildren.

And you have no love and affection for your husband and children, just a refraining from mistreating them?

[Rhiannon]

One of the great privileges in life is to gain the love and trust of an animal. There's few things I find finer than sitting on the sofa with the wood burner going and I'm reading a book, and the dog climbs up next to me and puts his soft head in my lap. Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night and make a drink and sit with him for a bit, and his gentleness and uncomplicated love always soothes me. Our cat is a rescue, and an old one at that; she doesn't like being handled, but when I sit on my bed to meditate she comes and curls up on my feet.

Absolutely. If the animals with which we share our lives aren't part of the family, what's the point having them in the first place?

To be useful like our gerbil. Having said that they must never be ill-treated

Leaving aside the rights and wrongs of that, you do know some printer inks and paper ingredients are toxic to gerbils, right?

[Rhiannon]

One of the great privileges in life is to gain the love and trust of an animal. There's few things I find finer than sitting on the sofa with the wood burner going and I'm reading a book, and the dog climbs up next to me and puts his soft head in my lap. Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night and make a drink and sit with him for a bit, and his gentleness and uncomplicated love always soothes me. Our cat is a rescue, and an old one at that; she doesn't like being handled, but when I sit on my bed to meditate she comes and curls up on my feet.

Absolutely. If the animals with which we share our lives aren't part of the family, what's the point having them in the first place?

Our dog is everything you would want from a family pet - big, daft, easy-going and friendly. The cat though doesn't fit the mould - we rescued two but they fought all the time and in the end we had to send one back ( ) so we rehomed the young, friendly lap cat and kept the older, cuddle-free one. It's been great for the kids as they've learned to accept her for who she is and not what they think a pet cat should be. They love her to bits; I often find her asleep on the bed with a child lying alongside her gently stroking the top of her head.

[floo]

So they only have worth if they have some sort of direct practical utility?

Christ, what a mean and impoverished view of life.

I think animals have to earn their keep like humans!

Why? Where's the room for love and affection and companionship (both ways) in all this?

Do babies and children have to earn their keep as well?

I couldn't love or feel affectionate towards an animal, but would never mistreat one.

so given your husband and children are animals, you merely refrain from mistreating them?

I must admit I not touchy feely where adults are concerned, but didn't mind hugging and cuddling my children when they were young, and now my grandchildren.

And you have no love and affection for your husband and children, just a refraining from mistreating them?

I love in my own way!

[BashfulAnthony]

One of the great privileges in life is to gain the love and trust of an animal. There's few things I find finer than sitting on the sofa with the wood burner going and I'm reading a book, and the dog climbs up next to me and puts his soft head in my lap. Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night and make a drink and sit with him for a bit, and his gentleness and uncomplicated love always soothes me. Our cat is a rescue, and an old one at that; she doesn't like being handled, but when I sit on my bed to meditate she comes and curls up on my feet.

Amazing!  I could have written that myself!  The only slight difference is that my rescue cat is as cuddly and loving as my precious Meg.

[Nearly Sane]

So they only have worth if they have some sort of direct practical utility?

Christ, what a mean and impoverished view of life.

I think animals have to earn their keep like humans!

Why? Where's the room for love and affection and companionship (both ways) in all this?

Do babies and children have to earn their keep as well?

I couldn't love or feel affectionate towards an animal, but would never mistreat one.

so given your husband and children are animals, you merely refrain from mistreating them?

I must admit I not touchy feely where adults are concerned, but didn't mind hugging and cuddling my children when they were young, and now my grandchildren.

And you have no love and affection for your husband and children, just a refraining from mistreating them?

I love in my own way!

Then you love animals, which you said you couldn't do.

[Rhiannon]

One of the great privileges in life is to gain the love and trust of an animal. There's few things I find finer than sitting on the sofa with the wood burner going and I'm   reading a book, and the dog climbs up next to me and puts his soft head in my lap. Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night and make a drink and sit with him for a bit, and his gentleness and uncomplicated love always soothes me. Our cat is a rescue, and an old one at that; she doesn't like being handled, but when I sit on my bed to meditate she comes and curls up on my feet.

Amazing!  I could have written that myself!  The only slight difference is that my rescue cat is as cuddly and loving as my precious Meg.

I'm so glad that you and Meg have found each other, and your cat as well. 

[BashfulAnthony]

One of the great privileges in life is to gain the love and trust of an animal. There's few things I find finer than sitting on the sofa with the wood burner going and I'm   reading a book, and the dog climbs up next to me and puts his soft head in my lap. Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night and make a drink and sit with him for a bit, and his gentleness and uncomplicated love always soothes me. Our cat is a rescue, and an old one at that; she doesn't like being handled, but when I sit on my bed to meditate she comes and curls up on my feet.

Amazing!  I could have written that myself!  The only slight difference is that my rescue cat is as cuddly and loving as my precious Meg.

I'm so glad that you and Meg have found each other, and your cat as well. 

Thank you Rhiannon.  The joy they bring me is immeasurable!

[Rhiannon]

A very fruitful autumn.  We have had huge amounts of apples, and neighbours who have pear trees and quince trees, have been giving us those, so most nights we are slurping stewed fruit.  Still picking raspberries as well, and also grapes.

It might be a bit late but on the Recipes thread I've put up the one for blackberry brandy, which is also suitable for raspberries etc.

[BashfulAnthony]

One of the great privileges in life is to gain the love and trust of an animal. There's few things I find finer than sitting on the sofa with the wood burner going and I'm reading a book, and the dog climbs up next to me and puts his soft head in my lap. Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night and make a drink and sit with him for a bit, and his gentleness and uncomplicated love always soothes me. Our cat is a rescue, and an old one at that; she doesn't like being handled, but when I sit on my bed to meditate she comes and curls up on my feet.

Absolutely. If the animals with which we share our lives aren't part of the family, what's the point having them in the first place?

To be useful like our gerbil. Having said that they must never be ill-treated

If you don't like a creature, or it is a nuisance in some manner, just get another one, eh?  What sort of person is that?

[floo]

Another extremely mild day for November, and fairly bright after yesterday's gloom.

[OH MY WORLD!]

Shaker, you are a hoot! It was you that mentioned children being useless several months back and here you are asking if they have to, earn their keep too. Of course you will claim that you don't recall calling them useless, but ya did it.

I wonder how floo's big fuzzy spider EARNED it's keep. Too funny. Or perhaps that is why it's dead, she stopped feeding it and told it to, get a job!

I have only 6 fish that EARN their keep. My catfish, they do a good job as scavengers. All the rest of my fish need to get jobs. (snork)


The blood moon over my city. View from the edge of my hill

https://youtu.be/Hr4rPiztIR0

[Samuel]

I appreciate how important pets can be. I don't have any now but had two cats while I was growing up and wept when they died.

Having said that I feel there is an element of utility in the person-pet relationship. It certainly isn't a relationship of equality is it? If these animals were coming to us from the wild of their own volition and staying while remaining free to leave... Perhaps that would be equal. As it is they exist and live entirely at our behest. We sterilise them for our convenience and subject them to various other medical procedures, including euthanasia. It would be disingenuous to deny that on some level pets serve a purpose of our making, nor of theirs. Just like any other other possesion. All the same they can live very happy lives and enjoy genuine love and affection from their owners. I have no objection to owning a pet.