Time to cover the books

Yes, the new school year has begun and the new year's stationery has been purchased.

I am not complaining about the cost. $21 for a pile of exercise books to last a year plus pens, pencils, ruler etc is a bargain.

My problem is the covering.

If you're not careful the cover-seal/ contact/ duraseal to cover 3 books can cost more than the books.

Easy to see why the pretty printed stuff is off budget here.

By the way a 1 metre roll covers 3 1B5 books or similar and produces 12 sticky triangles and 6 sticky slivers. More than enough to make life annoying for the average unwary cat. Don't ask me how I know this and please don't tell Bobby, he hasn't figured this out yet and I am looking forward to watching when he does.

The kids here have come up with ingenious solutions to individualise their school books.

As many parents and children have found out in the past. Gossip magazines (those aimed at women) are a poor source of pictures if you have no interest in so called celebrates.

The adverts in them are a better source of pictures. As are old calenders, special interest magazines, old birthday cards, junk mail, travel agent catalogues and new or recycled wrapping paper. Some of those book clearance shops even sell out of date calendars at 5 or 10c for the purpose.

Eldest kid's Pet Magazine subscription with just 4 issues a year produces a wealth of pretty animal pictures.

The other trick they use is to print out digital photos on plain paper.

My image stares out on the cover of a number of books as do the pictures of the other household pets both past and present.

I notice even Jet Boy (Mr Biscuit's brother, and Inky's son) who was put down after breaking his back in 2007 has pride of place on Youngest's maths book.

Intruder Alert!

Now I knew that after the deaths of my former house mates, Minnie and Smudge, that eventually I would be presented with a small fuzzball for a "companion".

I didn't expect what arrived last weekend.

Given the problems I have had with the Fluff Monster next door and conversations I have over heard I was lead to believe that whatever newcomer arrived would be small and wouldn't have a tail as wide as my head.

I came inside on Saturday afternoon and came face to face with .... a pale grey and white thing as big as I am, somewhat heavier and a whole heap fluffier.

A Fluff Monster in other words, called Bobby of all things.

Worse still he talks.

A lot.

Possibly even more than I do which is saying something.

He has already failed to understand one basic point;

Sidekicks need to be able to be side kicked!

I wonder if he will get the message if I cannonball him?

Firstly I can confirm that contrary to popular rumour I do not have skin cancer. My ears and eyes have just been suffering from sunburn and that fluff monster next door.

The vet has confirmed that.

Yes, I have been to the V.E.T.

Now I don't really have a problem with the vet. I do have a problem with the dog in the waiting room on occasion but not with the vet himself. Well, except for that sunscreen, antibiotic paste, eye drops and flea treatment he just forced on me.

What I don't like is the trip to the Vet.

Who decided that we cats must travel in those small cages? Who decided that we had to go in those horrible metal boxes called cars?

Until I get an answer I will continue to sound like a fire engine on the way to a fire when ever I am forced to endure caging and metal box transport!

P.S. Good luck getting those eye drops in.

The Law and The Dog

I am proud of my interspecies relationships.
I get on well and regularly talk to numerous humans.
I also have a good relationship with the household rabbits.
I am even willing to talk to birds - so long as the topic of conversation is my lunch.
Those that accept are delicious.

Talking to dogs however is a bit of a conundrum.
I don't like loud noises.
Every time that I try to converse with a dog it makes loud noises and behave in a totally dotty fashion.
I am left with the conclusion that vast majority of dogs, if not all dogs, are of low intelligence.
Thicker than two short planks to put it bluntly.

Attacks by dogs have been in the news media this last week.
One poor woman died link and another was bitten when she bent to pat a dog link . Of course there has been much comment about dog laws and how they are not obeyed or not strong enough.

Why is everyone surprised about this?
How can dogs be expected to know the laws let alone obey them.

Dogs are stupid.

Fencing them in doesn't help much. Fences are for jumping and make great things to sit on. A fence is a big sign saying "Something interesting on the other side".
What dog wouldn't want to jump one?
Only a very, very stupid one.

Registration is another puzzling idea.
What is in it for the dog?
A coloured tag on the collar if one is desired can be purchased much more cheaply and any pet store or hardware shop.
So registration helps pay for dog rangers and other control measures. Surly it is those without dogs who want them controlled not the other way around.
I want dogs controlled so shouldn't I be the one to pay for it?

This micro chipping law is the strangest one.
All dogs except working dogs have to be micro chipped.
Somehow people expected this to stop dogs who don't know a greeting from an deadly insult from attacking an innocent passerby.
How?
By zapping the dog's near nonexistent brains?
Even I don't see how that would be possible given that these chips don't have batteries.

My secretary has promised to get me micro chipped if I move house. Apparently the chip holds a number that can be traced to my address if I get lost.
I fail to understand how any different than the tag on my collar. That tag has enabled my lost collar to be returned to me a number of times.

Better than any chip.