Another dreary day, but we got the other tractor operational so that is a positive. Full day tomorrow because it is supposed to be the only sunny day all week.
So much ugliness on the politics front, although it does seem, right now, like that shit bill might got bogged down in the Senate. So let’s ignore that and instead focus on something that has surprised me. Not a whole lot, but some.
Maxwell Edison has really blossomed into a fucking awesome cat. I feel that Steve and Tunch were very good easy mode beginner cats who would have flourished with anyone who loved them. Maxwell, on the other hand, was questionable. He had crazy eyes and would lash out and would keep his distance and not be as loving as he wanted to but couldn’t.
All of that has changed and he is such a great cat. He’s fascinating to watch, he loves curling up on my lap and watching tv, he is playful, and he’s just, like I said, blossomed into a great cat. I claim no credit, because I merely served in the role of benevolent dictator. I still think you can integrate most animals rather easily (obviously not ones with high prey instincts or a record of aggression and violence) by just making sure there is enough of everything for everyone and then fucking off and letting them figure it out.
So that is something positive. Maxwell is a great cat and I wouldn’t think twice about another black or spirited cat like a siamese.
zhena gogolia
I love black cats.
Chetan Murthy
Since Blogfather mentioned animals and such, a Q:
(1) my neighbors (with whom I share the property on which my rental sits) are great folks (also my landlords). Great folks.
(2) they’ve always had doggies, and I’ve always liked them (and they’ve liked me)
(3) Until the latest, Louie (lab + border collie mix) who is ….. well, he barks at me pretty menacingly, and -invariably-. Unless one of his owners is there, in which case he’s friendly and all, lets me pet him, even licks me. But will play at biting me a bit.
(4) and then, the next time I go back to where the trashcans are, if he’s outside, he’ll run over and start barking up a storm. Again, pretty menacingly.
I have to say, I’m a little troubled at turning my back to him, from worry that he might attack me. Hasn’t happened, but he’s pretty aggressive.
Anyway, my landlords put a little jar of dried meat treats next to the trashcans, so I could try to give him a treat, but …. by the time he’s in my face (OK, not my -face-, but still, within 3ft) I don’t really have the presence of mind to get out a treat and try to bribe him.
Anybody got any advice?
P.S. Apparently he play-bites even one of his owners.
zhena gogolia
@Chetan Murthy: Hmm. Sounds not good. They leave him unattended in the yard?
Chetan Murthy
@zhena gogolia: yeah. TBF, they did that with previous dogs, and it was -never- a problem. It’s not really a yard: really, a series of concrete walkways from the front of the property to the back. The units are pretty small, so I can -completely- understand why they let their dogs out. And again, I support that and have for the entire time I’ve lived here. Never been a problem, and I kinda like that the previous doggies were there for me to, y’know, pet: it was like having a dog to rent without having to own, y’know?
sab
@Chetan Murthy: The treats by the garbage cans is not a good idea. Just another thing for him to protect.
zhena gogolia
@Chetan Murthy: He’s probably just bored, but maybe you should have a talk with them. If he scares you, that isn’t good.
zhena gogolia
@sab: Right.
Chetan Murthy
@sab: Sigh. And putting them out at the front of the property (there’s a wooden box enclosing the power meters) wouldn’t work, b/c to get a treat when he makes his presence known would entail retreating to the front of the property, at which point I’m already out of his domain of patrol, etc.
SW
Love Siamese or Thai cats. The bond they form with their humans is really amazing to me.
They Call Me Noni
If he’s barking menacingly enough to make you nervous that is not good. Also, play biting is not play. It’s biting and I never put up with that from any dog or cat I’ve had. Sets a bad precedence to let them think people are chew toys. I would definitely talk to the neighbor about it. Can you record this on your phone to show them? They probably don’t think their dog would bite anyone and need to see it.
A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)
Clearly there are problems with the current jar of treats, but maybe you could buy a box of milkbones or something and take one out with you, so it’s not something he guards, it’s something you provide. I have had very good luck making friends with dogs by being the treat lady. Most dogs can be bought. Also, if you can, put out friendly, non-scared vibes. Of course I have an advantage being a woman, which most dogs trust more readily than a man. Good luck!
bbleh
Wuz gonna do a Relationship Therapist riff, but maybe best not …
Chetan Murthy
@They Call Me Noni: Oh, my neighbors know, and they’re very apologetic, and they’re trying. I don’t fault them for that at all. If I thought they were at all uncognizant, it’d be an entirely different situation. The reason I’m asking you all, is that perhaps you might have advice for what they could try, that would be different than what they’re already trying.
Again, just to be clear: they’re very aware that Louie barks at strangers (so not just me), and bites (sure, playfully, but I take your point), and even is a bit aggressive with his owners. They’re very aware. And they’re trying.
RandomMonster
I had to look up the lyrics of Maxwell’s Silver Hammer to make sure I was correctly guessing the origin of that name.
sab
@Chetan Murthy: If you think the treats would work you might have to buy your own and bring them with you. But that is rewarding him for being an asshole. We made that mistake with our pitbull and barking. Now she barks at people just to get a treat. So she gets sent to her room if she barks at guests.
I agree that playbiting people is never okay. I have never had an adult dog that did it, and I did not tolerate it in the puppies I have raised.
I don’t know what you can do about owners that do tolerate it.
ETA They at least need to stop it. A firm NO! from them might work wonders if they are consistent. But it might be tricky coming from you. I do occassionally say “bad dog!” to to other people’s dogs, but if the dog really has an issue with you it might make things worse.
CaseyL
John, I love to hear Stories of Cole Critters. What a wonderful thing, to see Maxwell blossom!
On the lightrail home from work the other day, I sat next to a lady who had a small dog on her lap. Not a chihuahua, a little larger, looked like a terrier mix. The dog leaned out eagerly to sniff/greet me before I’d finished sitting down. I asked if I could pet him, and she said yes. So the next few minutes I enjoyed stroking one of the friendliest tiny dogs I’ve ever met, who reared up and gave me so many kisses my upper lip was quite thoroughly washed.
If there were dogs on all the trains eager to say hi and give kisses, I’d look forward to the daily commute more.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
Our black cat, the last one of our rescues from Central Misery, is Bonnie, aka Satan’s Handmaiden, aka my wife’s Familiar.
She’s very, very friendly…and psychotic. Me and Mrs grog have had close to 40 cats in all our years together and she really is the first psychotic one.
She gets “time outs” in the bathroom…and loves it. She meat loafs on the toilet seat until we let her out and actually seems to like the down time.
Chetan Murthy
@CaseyL: Here in SF that’s pretty common, and almost always the lapdogs (*grin*) are well-loved and show it. I keep on thinking I should buy a small container of hand sanitizer, so I can pet ’em, b/c I really do want to.
prostratedragon
Another endorsement for Siamese (especially classic). Also black cats. And other cats.
Exactly according to plan
They Call Me Noni
@Chetan Murthy: Does he growl at you or just bark? Does the hair on his neck stand up? Does he stare at you or look away? Trying to understand what the rest of his body language is saying about his state of mind.
Wapiti
Filch one or three treats from the jar when the owners are around or the dog isn’t, put them inside your place or carry them on you, then you have treats when you need them.
I used to get swooped by the crows around here. They can be bought off. I don’t get swooped now that I’m paying protection cashews.
Chetan Murthy
@They Call Me Noni: growls and barks, definitely stares at me. I’ve never owned a dog, don’t really have any experience. I just like to pet ’em when they’re around.
Chetan Murthy
@Chetan Murthy: Was talkin’ to one my neighbors just now, she told me that he’s been barkin’ today at their cousins who are visiting, so it ain’t just at me.
They Call Me Noni
@They Call Me Noni: Our neighbors behind us have a dog that escapes regularly. They keep her in a pen and she’s bored to tears I’m sure. She’ll come in our back yard and barks at me if I’m outside but I just yell at her and tell her to go back home and she skeedaddles away. She sounds and looks mean but runs if confronted. Different scenario I know, because your neighbor’s dog sees your area as his territory whereas everyone in my area has a couple of acres.
TheOtherHank
My neighbors across the street have a visla. I’ve been around for its entire life. It still loses it shit if I walk past the fence. Some dogs are just frantic.
Another Scott
??
As you say, there’s no reason to think twice.
We had a great cat named Cinnamon who was nearly full Siamese from the looks of him. He got his name because he apparently was red as a kitten but looked like a normal Siamese by the time we got him. Best cat ever, but pretty much every cat is if you treat them well, I think.
Had his own theme song, also too (if you ignore the gender stuff).
Enjoy your time on the tractor tomorrow!
Best wishes,
Scott.
Timill
@sab: Use the treats to get him to sit and shut up??? Treat only when sat & quiet.
They Call Me Noni
@Chetan Murthy: I’d be kinda nervous if that were my dog. Maybe he need professional help/training. He may be very territorial and having to share his space with other dogs has him stressed and maybe he doesn’t know how to deal with it all or what his place in the pack is.
eclare
My cat Jacy has kind of evolved. I inherited her from my parents as an indoor/outdoor kitty. FYI all of my future kitties will be indoor only.
Last Wednesday she was missing after going out on Sunday. I am used to her being on the prowl for one night, not multiple nights. I texted a friend Wednesday morning, I thought she was gone.
Wednesday afternoon she blasted into the house and hasn’t left yet. I assume she got trapped somewhere, but whatever happened had a profound impact.
Chetan Murthy
@They Call Me Noni: sorry, I wasn’t clear. -In the past- they’ve had other dogs visit. These days, he’s the only one on the property. I will say that once they had another dog visit (a play-date I guess) and when Louie started in with the aggression and barking, the other one joined-in too. That was ….. a thing. Sigh.
They Call Me Noni
@Chetan Murthy: Growling is definitely aggression.
Another Scott
@Chetan Murthy: Our Ellie – an Aussie / Collie / Rottweiler (?!) mix – didn’t like to be petted much when she was young, and would show “affection” by nipping and licking. She like treats, but more than anything else in the whole world liked and likes playing tug and catching toy ropes and the like.
We saw a bit of some working dog (bomb sniffing or buried people rescue or something) training TV show and the reward at the end of the training session was tug playing and the like, not food.
Maybe try something like that? Maybe he’s just high-strung, wants to work and doesn’t get enough of it, and sees you and figures it’s finally time to work, and you can convince him it’s time to play instead?
Ellie drags me around the neighborhood 2x a day for around 30 minutes each, and it’s probably still not enough. She’s 8 now.
Good luck!!
Best wishes,
Scott.
They Call Me Noni
@Chetan Murthy: Were it my dog I would get professional dog help before he bites someone and I would put him in a room if there were any children visiting the home. Probably a good dog, just needs the right training by someone who understands dogs and can also train the owner.
Chetan Murthy
@They Call Me Noni: If there’s anybody here in the Bay Area who can recommend a trainer, I’d be interested. I mean, I -like- my neighbors a -lot-. One of the things I look for in rentals is owner-occupied housing. It matters to me. So I’d be willing to pay for that training. Also b/c, haha, then I’d get a dog I could pet.
They Call Me Noni
@Another Scott: That’s a good point. If the dog is really smart and isn’t mentally challenged and exercised regularly they can act out because they are bored.
Chetan Murthy
@They Call Me Noni: Well, he is a Lab/Border Collie mix, and I’ve been told by a friend that Border Collies need a ton of exercise/stimulation. Wonder if that’s part of the problem.
They Call Me Noni
@Chetan Murthy: Ask for recommendations from people in your area. I don’t do social media but if you do that might be a good place to start. And yes, having a four legged furry friend next door would be a great perk! And if you could figure out this dog’s puzzle he’d be your best friend! Good luck. Let us know how this journey goes.
Eljai
@comrade scotts agenda of rage: I’ve never had to give my cats a time out, but at least two of my cats have given me one.
They Call Me Noni
@Chetan Murthy: That could be it. Growing up we had a couple of German Shepherds at different times and they were very high maintenance but totally worth the effort. Smart dogs and loyal to a fault.
Another Scott
@Chetan Murthy: I should have read down to here at least.
Our previous dog, Sophie, was another mutt. Bernese mountain dog, Dachshund (long-hair apparently from her ears), German short-haired pointer, and a few other things. Giant feet. I couldn’t read her facial expression early on – she would stare at me, and it was kind of unnerving because she had the typical coloring of a big scary attack dog, and was never very affectionate in the usual sense. But she was never threatening to us, and in fact would tolerate the vets doing almost anything to her without any objection at all. Incredibly stoic and independent.
She was an escape artist and always wanted to go exploring and chase squirrels.
We still miss her, of course.
Anyway, the point is, some dogs can be difficult to read.
But you should trust your instincts unless shown otherwise. You have to protect yourself first.
I hope you and his owners find a way to get him to behave better.
Good luck!
Best wishes,
Scott.
JoyceH
Everyone here seems to be discussing pets, but I just have to butt in to brag – I just typed The End on a story for the first time in over five years! Maybe I AM still a writer!
Portly Neighbor
@Chetan Murthy: Have you thought about getting a couple of pet sheep?
Cliosfanboy
Is Steve gone????
Geminid
@JoyceH: Congratulations!
Old School
@JoyceH: Woo hoo!
Geminid
On Friday, White House envoy Steve Witkoff met with Iranian Foreign Secretary Araqchi at the Omani embassy in Rome, for a fifth round of talks about Iran’s nuclear program.
Observers worried that the two nations’ contradictory positions– Iran maintains that its right to peaceful uranium enrichment is non-negotiable, while Witkoff claims Iran would not be allowed a domestic enrichment program– could lead to a breakdown.
Afterwards, the Iranians were cautious; that evening, Axios reporter Barak Ravid posted this:
Today a top US official expressed a more sanguine view. From Barak Ravid:
I could not say where these talks are going, but Trump sure sounds like he wants a deal.
JeanneT
@Chetan Murthy: Former obedience instructor here. Sounds like your neighbors have a anxious dog that was not well socialized when young, and now is trying to control its environment.
Encourage the landlords to seek training help ASAP- they do NOT want their dog to bite someone and have to go through the legal and financial repercussions.
Among other things, a trainer will recommend NOT letting the dog be out in the yard without one of his handlers there holding it on leash, ready to help the dog do the right thing. Freedom only comes after successful training, I’m afraid. A few private lessons for the dog and owners can make a world of difference for a dog making bad choices.
A possibly useful book for the owners is Beware of the Dog – Positive Solutions for Aggressive Behavior in Dogs by Pat Miller. I went to seminars with Pat when I was young and green and her advice helped me immensely in my work with dogs and people.
JoyceH
@JeanneT: Heh – I’ve been taking my dogs to training for over thirty years. When I took my latest puppy last year I discovered that the school had renamed obedience training. Now it’s “manners and life skills”.
satby
@Chetan Murthy: He’s a mix of two protective breeds, but neither tend to be aggressive, plus mixed breeds tend to not be aggressive in general. Dogs sense fear, your fear reaction gives him a reason to think something is wrong and is triggering his need to protect his property. Try not to act tentative or nervous, tell him firmly “NO, Go Home” and go about your business without acting scared but staying aware of him. NEVER RUN, that triggers prey behaviors. Act confident, you belong there too. Right now, that’s not what your behavior is communicating to him.
Many dogs bark at strangers or even known people who enter the territory they feel they need to protect for their family. That’s how dogs communicate.
And I’ll echo others who suggest he’s not getting enough exercise. I wonder if you started carrying a tennis ball for him to chase back towards his house and fetch if that would help. That would make you his friend who plays. Labs love fetching.
JeanneT
@Chetan Murthy: The San Francisco SPCA has a Veterinary Behavior Service that does consults. They also have a dog trainer list, which might be very useful. Good luck helping your neighbors with Louie!
JeanneT
@JoyceH: Ha! I never have been comfortable with ‘obedience’ as the goal of training. It’s definitely more manners, teamwork and communication skills. And I was never training the dogs (except my own) – I was training the humans. Dogs are easier in many ways….
ALSO congrats on finishing your story! I have enjoyed your regency and mage series and would love to read more.
zhena gogolia
@JoyceH: How are your doggies?
zhena gogolia
@Cliosfanboy: I don’t think so.
JoyceH
@zhena gogolia: The dogs? Now THAT is a story! Jazzy is twelve and had to have half a hind foot removed last year so she’s really slowed down. Whimsy is a year and a half and a real handful. She’s bigger than Jazzy and seems rowdier, though maybe I’ve forgotten what Jazzy was like back then. I keep telling Whimsy “stop being such a bitch”. And she digs! I thought she’d grown out of it but she’s started up again, maybe not as frequently but still. My yard is like a diorama of WWI No Man’s Land.
zhena gogolia
@JoyceH: Hahaha. I’m glad Jazzy was able to recover. I love their names!
pieceofpeace
@JoyceH: Good for you!
Jackie
@JoyceH:
Uh Oh. They’ve gone WOKE. Expect the FFOTUS Handlers to threaten them, and if they don’t buckle under and comply, be shut down by an Official Decree.
Kayla Rudbek
@JoyceH: congratulations! I look forward to reading your newest book! Drop a link here once you have the preorder link so we can get it into our hands.
Mel
@JoyceH: Congratulations!!!! I would love to read it!
Chetan Murthy
Everybody, thank you all for the advice and pointers (to trainers/SPCA, and book). I’ll talk with my neighbors. I really hope Louie will come to like me. My neighbors used to board their friend’s pit bull, Billie, and for a number of years she’d climb up to my back deck and sit there while I worked at my kitchen table. She was the sweetest dog, I used to -love- taking a break to go outside and pet her, just sit next to her while she sunned herself. If Louie could become anything like that, anything at all like that, it’d be so lovely.
dww44
@Cliosfanboy: l don’t believe anyone answered you re Steve’s status. I too have the same question.
dww44
@Cliosfanboy: l don’t believe anyone answered you re Steve’s status. I too have the same question. Zhena did comment that she didn’t think anything had happened to him. Hopefully nothing has.
rikyrah
@CaseyL:
I love the critters stories too🥰
Another Scott
@Chetan Murthy: 🤞
Best wishes,
Scott.
Another Scott
Meanwhile, it’s still important to “document the atrocities” as they say…
Grr…
(via CultureofTruth )
Best wishes,
Scott.
prostratedragon
@JoyceH: Congratulations! That must be a relief.