Cagney is not going to fill the Bartleby sized hole in your heart. But your heart will learn to love this dog for being itself, if you can let that happen.

I've been learning this lesson myself. I adopted a shelter kitty a month ago (a cute orange tabby named Seamus). He will never fill my Mickey shaped hole, but he's worming his way into his own, Seamus shaped one.

We have a black kitty named Seamus!

It's the same with Simon and Wilson for us. Losing Byron left a huge hole. The two kittens will never be Byron, but we love and adore them and they fill their own place now.

Let this be a well-trained Cagney instead of an inferior Bartleby

Oh, absolutely. Even when I know I'm being unfair by feeling weary of having to teach something that came so much easier to Bartleby, I'm not trying to make Cagney in his image.

I actually like that he's so in love with dogs and people. His not being focused on ME is really just about safety and professional issues.

The thing is, I went so far as to get a tattoo last year to remind me to lighten up. I realized that I was too serious and wanted to bring more jovial and loving energy into my life. The very next week, Bartleby started dying.

Not much progress on that front, so far. Perhaps Cagney will force that with his stubbornness.

We have a black kitty named Seamus!

It's a good kitty name. His full name is Seamus Dean. Our last name is Martin. So, that just kinda works.

Mickey was black, so when I picked Seamus, I picked a cat that wasn't very much on purpose. I needed that separation.

Sounds like he's doing that already, Bonny.

We have a black kitty named Seamus!

It's a good kitty name.

Oh, yes. We have a big orange boy named Seamus O'Malley.

I'm sorry, amyth. Maybe there's something on the last batch of air filters the landlord distributed. I hope you feel better soon.

Seamus is one of my all-time favorite names.

I also love the idea of naming a kitty after a Rat Packer. See: the aforementioned 1940s hoofer.

sj, this guy feels your moving pain. In profanity-laden (but bleeped), English-accented, funny rant. [link]

Smonster, that is hysterical and not only because TCG is currently searching for the bluray player and the tooth brushes. Thanks for posting it!

We finished with the movers, had a yummy Thai dinner with Mom and stepdad, and then went back to our apartment for some odds and ends. Tomorrow the cable guy is coming at 8 am and we need to buy some shelving units for our closet. Saturday I am getting my hair done and then going to vw's wedding. I refuse to do anything productive at all that day. Meanwhile, we're going to sleep on our brand new memory foam mattress tonight in our new house!