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meeeoow

Or simply eeeoow

[Sounds like Mark "been there, done that" ]

Ciao Everyone,

Thank you for the kinds words about Caesar. It was sad. Especially for my brother. He was the one who had to crawl under the house and drag Caesar out. Yes, Paula, Caesar did have a good life. He was a stray that my mama took in when he was only a kitten. My mama has a kind heart for animals. And people.

Vesuvius

Hi Vesuvius ~

It sounds like Caesar had a good life as a cat in the outside world, and that he also had a wonderful life with humans, being a part of your family. He was blessed and so were you. Your mama sounds like a good woman.

~ Elizabeth

Liz~

Love the "eeeow!' quip. Now, when you consider my absolute favourite cat of all: the Tiger, and try to grab one of those by the tail......

~Makera

Godzilla, I am so glad you enjoyed the video, just knowing that is thanks enough. You are such a nice person it was my pleasure. I hope someday we can meet.

I am a dog person, however, my best friend died afew years ago, her name was Buffy, and she was a mongrel, a wonderful dog. I travel for weeks at a time so can't get another, it is too hard to leave them behind. Now I enjoy the grand dogs.

Oh yes, Makera ~ I love the big cats, too! There's a refuge within 30 miles of where I've been that has taken in large cats that were illegally and/or poorly being raised ~ and confiscated by the authorities. One of the two women who runs it used to work for the Sheriff's Department in that county, and she's become well known outside the county, so she is the recipient of many, fine, wild animals. She has recently acquired a huge, brown bear. Together, they have many fine stories ~ some heartwarming and others heartbreaking.

~ Yes ~ "Do not try this at home" would go the warning on the big cats and tails. The small ones are bad enough .

~ Lizzy

Lizzy~

Oh, good grief! Is there no law against keeping exotic wild animals in Florida too? I know Texas (& California?) has a big problem with lions and tigers being kept by drug dealers et al; in trailers, and all sorts of horrific conditions. (No-one in Oz is allowed to keep such animals as 'pets' without a zoo licence.) There is not, apparently, a big enough lobby of outraged animal lovers (in those states) to get the necessary legislation in motion. Just goes to show those purported "animal rights" groups, on the loony fringe, have their priorities - and 'other' agendas - 'arse up'.

~Makera

Makera ~

Unfortunately, the animal-activist groups, by necessity, have their fingers in many pies. So much to be advocated for on behalf of the animals. I'm fully in favour of them and have signed many petitions, distributed flyers, and made contributions. If animals could only advocate on their own behalf, other than by becoming a raging, rogue elephant; turning on their owners;or escaping at their first opportunity.

I know you have to have heard of the infinite memories of elephants, who many years later, recognize the perpetrator of maltreatment toward them, and go on the attack, to the shock and horror of those around. There was one, true incident of an elephant, seeing such a man pass by in a cab, and turning against all attempts to be controlled, to chase the cab in heavy traffic. I wish I could remember it exactly. All the details may not be exactly correct on this, as it's strictly by memory from something read several years ago.....but it is so close as not to matter, with regard to any minor diversion in fact. It's the intensity of their memory and their anger at maltreatment that are the points.

Then you have the legislators, who look at the "importance" and "prevalence" of the "problem" [the quotation marks representing their view, not mine!] I'm not sure how everyone comes by the exotics in Florida, probably some through smuggling [difficult to imagine , but still possible] and illegal papers/"licensing." Yes, what is that with drug dealers, anyway ~ a combination of protection and image? There are laws here, hence, "illegally;" and, even with the proper licensing, can come the "poorly being raised." It's dreadful and tragic that animals have to suffer for people's "fascinations." Some of the private-party environs and provisions are unspeakably inadequate, as you've noted with the trailers. The traveling-entertainment groups can be horrendous, as well.

Zoos are bad and sad enough....and re-creations of natural environments better, with some resulting in longer life spans; but I wish we could get the answers from the animals themselves, as to what is truly preferred between those options and the wilds. I'd have to guess the latter. Yet, with man destroying their natural environments in their homeland-countries, forcing them into areas inhabited by man, where they get shot; or into areas unsuited for them, making the competition for food so extreme that disproportionate killing of each other and/or starvation results, both evidenced in reduced populations ~ it's really hard to say what their answer might be, if they had and could process all the information, particularly with the "natural environments," when they have proportionately-appropriate space available. With so many endangered and extinct species, I feel very ambivalent about the issue, when what we call "excellent" environments can be provided. I truly wish we could ask the animals and abide by their wishes.

~ Lizzy

There was a piece in the papers over here in the last couple of weeks. A bloke had kept a siberia tiger and an alligator in his New York (I think) flat. They had a lovely picture of this beautiful animal peering out of a window about 7 floors up. I don't like to think how big the litter tray was

Yes, I remember that, now that you mention it, Paula! You're right on the litter box, oh my !!! It's inconceivable that the tiger with the need to move and run could be kept in such conditions. I can only guess that maybe his muscles had atrophied from lack of use.....all the sadder.

Lizzy~

Oh, don't get me started on elephants! I adore them! There's a woman who has a sanctuary for 'retired', injured etc. elephants (it might be Tennessee, I can't recall). Their devotion to their family and friends is awe inspiring. Wish we could communicate across the miles using infrasound, as they can (save on phone bills). I can't watch circuses with 'performing' elephants etc. To see such dignity debased....

~Makera

Yes, I know, Makera. I'm with you 1000% [again, not a typo] on elephants. Every well-done item I see that's a photo, picture, or rendering of them, I always want to buy, but I resist only because of my resistance to having a "theme," living environment. They always have a unique kind of majesty and I'm so drawn to them.

There's a real sadness in their eyes when they're contained like that. Or, at least it seems so to me. When I'm up close to them [I was able to climb up on a 'ladder stand' once, so I was at eye level], I talk to them softly, apologize for their being there, and tell them how much I admire them. Even though they can't understand my words, I believe that they understand my meaning and that I care about their plight . Maybe that's putting a lot of responsibility on the elephant's cognition, but I so want it to be so, and I hope that it is. It's just so wrong.

Using them for utility [i.e. in their homeland] would at least be justifiable at some level ~ like they use camels. Even so, there's a wonderful, Rumi-like poem about a camel being cut loose by a visitor to the house where he was tied. It left you with a glorious, "cheering" feeling and images of the freed camel running off into the darkness, to return to its rightful freedom.

~ Elizabeth

My dog died several years ago and for a couple of years ago my cats past away too. So I looked around and noticed that my husband is still here, and gave it a thought what women can learn from men. This is what I came up with

Things I can learn from a man

Always leave your dirty socks on the floor, there will always be some clean ones in the drawer.

If there is only one cold beer left, it will certainly be there just for you.

No matter the costs of your highest desires, no cost will be too high for the budget.

Sex is meant for your pleasure, take it when you can.

For repairing things around the house, use only the most expensive powertools.

Dishwashers never need to be started, eventually someone will push that little magic button.

Newspapers are to be read at once, as long as you like and as the first.

Never tell what you are thinking about, always keep it for your self and answer "nothing" when asked .

Be good at cleaning cars, but hide your skills when it comes to cleaning of the house.

Always be honest and state your opinion no matter the damage it could cause.

At job interviews never be humble but tell how clever you are; even if you dont have a clue.

Always be certain to tell your boss what you are worth.

Always give the impression that you can afford everything; except presents.

Time is on your side, grey hair is a benefit and make you look distinguished.

Eat with good appetite, food is for joy and some extra weight is mostly muscles.

If you need to fart, do it right away - no need to keep that old air inside.

Always sleep with your mouth open, snoring keeps the bears away.

Be in charge of your life and never let family get in your way.

Tell jokes even if they are a bit rude, no one would think you are being cheap, you are just accepted as a funny person.

No need to take a handbag with you, your partner will always be there to carry your cigarettes, camera, purse, the hankerchief you forgot, sunglasses etc.

Boast about your need for sex, everyone willl find it awesome and no one will check on you.

Still happy thou that he is around the house

Hugs from Cia

~ This is so funny, Cia ~ and thank heaven for both of you that your husband doesn't need to take it personally . Too bad all the endearing emoticons can't come along for this one .

Hugs for Cia,
Lizzytysh