Connie I'm so glad poor kitty is going to get better. I just tossed an elizabethan collar in with my cat's stuff because you never know. It's also a sort of talisman because I thought if I didn't save it she would surely be injured again soon.

I just heard myself say, "I want to keep one of these old school POM tea glasses because they don't make them like this anymore." oh dear. I think my decision-making abilities have expired for the night.

And if that kid in the park across the street doesn't stop blowing that fucking whistle I am going over there to shove it down his throat.

Ugh, packing. Sorry, Laga, that's no fun.

I just heard myself say, "I want to keep one of these old school POM tea glasses because they don't make them like this anymore." oh dear. I think my decision-making abilities have expired for the night.

Heh. Yeah, I think you may be right.

Hey omnis, without looking at the boxes, D ended up putting the DVDs in a box that said "DVDs" and the books in a box that said "books". Freaky, huh?

I'm taking a break to have a glass of chardonnay and play some "plants vs. zombies" then it is the painful culling of the games cabinet.

That's one tough kitty, Connie.

And, from a ways back,

Why did my neighbor wrap my rosebush and the bush next to it in duct tape? I have been lax in cutting back the stuff that hangs over his driveway in this heat, but duct tape? Why?

WTFingF? Who does that to any roses, much less someone elses?

I'm tapering off Cymbalta and onto Zoloft

Generic, or name-brand? If generic, I have a basically full bottle of 50 mg sertraline if you want them.

Pix, there are a lot of details that go into selecting a puppy. Please forgive any repetition here, given I'm assuming you've raised a puppy before.

When you get there, ask the breeder how many people have handled the pups daily. You want to make sure they've been socialized with lots of different types of people, including children and strangers.

Make sure the puppy you are drawn to enjoys being touched all over. Pretend you are a vet and handle/squeeze all the parts: between toes, ears, bottom, 'pits', around the mouth. Some struggle against prodding is normal, but any fear response is a cue to move along. (Fear responses include 'whale-eye', where the dog shows you the white, inner-eye and head-down cowering.)

All puppies are a bit manic, but jumpy-bitey energy is a potential problem. Sit near the pups and see who approaches calmly.

This is important...take someone with you to test sound sensitivity. Have them clap loudly during a lull in the puppies' energy and see who notices, but quickly resets and goes back to playing. That's the one you want. You can also use a loud whistle or some other kind of common noise maker. Do not make the potentially scary sound yourself and do not 'cuddle' a puppy who is reactive. (You haven't hurt them.)

Lastly, check for status seeking by holding the puppy close to you (like, against your chest while you are standing) to see if s/he relaxes into your arms or squirms/struggles. If there is minimal struggle, then make your thumb and forefinger into a U under the pup's chin and direct your gaze into the eyes. The pup should really work hard to break away from your gaze. A dog who stares you down will be more work than you will ever want to do.

The number one, best piece of advice a trainer ever gave me was, "I want people to love your dog for his behavior, not for his looks." Considering how 'unique' Bartleby is, that was a tall order, but he has filled it beyond all expectations. Of course, a big part of that is my dedication to his well-being and consistent training. As big a part though, is his temperament.

I won the lottery, given the random way we came together, but you can too, with a clear eye on the type of personality that will fit YOUR personalities and lifestyle.

If generic, I have a basically full bottle of 50 mg sertraline if you want them.

Steph, if Pix doesn't want them, I'll take them.

I think Tep's comment was directed at someone else, Nora. I don't take either of those drugs now. I used to take Wellbutrin and had both generic (evil for me) and brand (became evil for me after being on generic and then trying to switch back), and I'll send those to you if you want them.

Bonny, thanks! I knew a lot of that (or did at one point) but had forgotten much of it. There isn't a breeder--these are all foster homes taking care of rescues, so I won't be able to ask much about their earliest days--but I can certainly test the rest.

I just found my ex gf's ex gf's laptop. I'm pretty sure it's toast. I forgot I even had it.