And it just made me think about how dogs know to temper that instinct when they're play fighting. It's oddly cheering to have that bit of trust between species. "I'm going to stick my hand in your mouth and I know you're not going to bite me."

This happens to be a huge issue for me. Ryla knows how to play and have a soft mouth because she was not taken away from her litter too soon. I think I need to start a campaign to get breeders to be much smarter about this.

I just warned a client to wait until at least 10 weeks, preferably 12, before bringing their new puppy home. They nodded in ascent, recognizing that having a small child in the house would make an almost impossible task even harder if they had to teach bite inhibition themselves.

Sure enough, they brought her home at 6 weeks. The first two people to get bitten? The daughter and me.

Sheesh.

So, long way around to, Yay Ryla!

Yeah, it is nice when animals know the difference between play and serious. (My cat Tanuki has claws but plays with you completely safely.)

Who recommends taking animals home at 6 weeks? That's ridiculous. 10-12 is pretty unusual but most people at least wait 'til 8 weeks.

Thanks, smonster. And ouch, re the revisionist history. I hope it lets up and lets you sleep soon.

Giggling at the thought of my students encountering Dalek-style trashcans on campus. (No, I'm not sure why that's funny.)

A local mall has trash cans that say "Thank you." Clearly not Daleks. Daleks never say "Thank you."

most people at least wait 'til 8 weeks.

Yes, most common and woefully inadequate.

My sense is that breeders, no matter how wise and wonderful, want to get the pups out the door and can't stand up against the 'nownownow' impulse of the new people.

But, for true, there is nothing like another razor-toothed litter mate to teach the concept of pain. There is NOTHING constructive or effective that a human can do that is as effective. In fact, when I tell people that they can't pull their hands away (at peril of stimulating the bite instinct) they look at me mystified. Sorry folks, we are primates...pretty much the opposite of canine instinct.

Happy birthday, Pix and Maria!!!!! May it be the loveliest year for the loveliest women!

So, I am doing my level best not to start worrying about something that I don't know yet. My cat has lost some weight and he had bloodwork done yesterday to figure out why. And, he's had a tiny cough and got 1 x-ray yesterday before going completely wild and having a panic attack, poor punkin. The vet says she saw something in his lungs on the xray but she needs to see the other views to know what. He goes back on Tuesday for sedation and the other xrays.

I have had a long chat with my cat and told him he can't be really sick. He seems to understand me. And, I'm trying not to immediately think lung cancer, but of course I am.

I don't think I can properly express how much he means to me. Some it's-nothing~ma would be terrific.

Oh, ChiKat - so much veterinary~ma for your little guy.

Birthday happies to Maria and Kristin!

In fact, when I tell people that they can't pull their hands away (at peril of stimulating the bite instinct) they look at me mystified. Sorry folks, we are primates...pretty much the opposite of canine instinct.

"Feed the bite" works for human bites as well as canine and feline bites. But it does take a bit of work to program your mind to do it, instead of following the immediate instinct to pull away. Act like prey, they'll treat you like prey.

Chikat- much kitty-health~ma. That's an awful situation. I'm glad he's at least listening to you. Let it be a wad of phlegm or inhaled fur or something he can cough up on his own :(

Much it's-nothing~ma coming Chikat and cat's way. Bless you both.

Act like prey, they'll treat you like prey.

Sing it sister.

First on the list - Happy Birthday to Pix and Maria! I hope it has been a lovely day for each of you.

I was many hundreds of posts behind, but the conversations were so interesting that I couldn't bear to skip. A meara that skips despite reading it all.

Empathy - what an interesting discussion. I don't think I absorb from the crowd, but the pain/joy of empathy when it involves those close to me can be overwhelming.

Flu shots, needles and blood letting - OUCH! Runs and hides. You have to tell me my life is at risk to get a needle near me, same goes for antibiotics. Hates them I do.

Marsters married. Aww, best wishes. As long as Spike is still single it's all good.

Amyth's brother - grrrrr

Pee-distressed - hehehehehe

Hollaback Israel (and Shir) - awesome

{{P-C}} I'm sorry. It is so hard to watch the good ones slip away.

Cass! I hope our window of opportunity to see each other doesn't happen when I am in DC. Text or email me when you get settled and know your schedule. Also, pls stay away from the Daleks.

And finally, puppies! The last few decades I have only adopted animals at least 18 months old. I just don't have the ability to live through puppyhood again no matter how cute.

I'm more than a bit worried about leaving Brandy for a couple days. I hope she doesn't howl too much for Bobby. He is going to have to spoil her like mad.

In conclusion, I am so glad to be caught up, for the moment.