Cats and dogs together … oh my! Plus FDA live-blogging, again!
By Gina Spadafori
May 17, 2007
San Francisco Chronicle columnist Jon Carroll falls back on what general interest columnists do whenever they can’t think of something “better” to write about: Pets.
I’ve worked with enough columnists to know they generally feel a little guilty when they write about their pets, and tend to think they ought to be thinking Big Thoughts and writing about them, too. But since columnist John Grogan turned an ill-mannered yellow Labrador into the massive best-seller, “Marley and Me,” maybe newspaper columnists now write about their pets not only because they’re out of ideas but also because, well, maybe there’s a best-seller in their little fuzzballs, too.
Me? I took the whole “Marley” thing as a great “Whaaaaa ?” Moment. I mean, seriously, here I am, a genuine pet columnist, writing about animals full-time for 20-plus years. I write, like, millions of words on how to fix behavior problems. Who knew I could retire rich writing about a bad dog?
Oh well. Must soldier on …
Carroll writes about making “cat-watching” an Olympic sport:
My campaign to make cat watching an Olympic sport is, alas, not going as well as I’d hoped. Rude things have been said. “Where’s the athleticism?” people ask. It’s a fair question. It’s a question for which I do not have an answer. And yet, more people participate in cat watching every year than eat Emmenthaler, attend hockey games or throw the I Ching.
Cat watching is among the most inexpensive of all sports. The equipment outlay is minimal, and the kibble expenses are modest until the cat enters middle age, at which time it needs Medi-Special Organic Urethra-Enhancing Venison and Potato Fancy Mix. I ask you: Nordic combined, or cat watching? It isn’t even a choice.
I enjoyed a marathon round of cat watching over the weekend. As a wily veteran of the sport, I know certain tricks. In a sense, cat watching is really spot watching. Cats have spots. Sometimes the choice of spots is rational — a high spot to watch for predator or prey; a quiet spot to maximize napping; a secret spot because cats like secrets. There are also passive-aggressive spots. A cat sleeping on the stairs is a cat with anger issues.
It’s cute. Go read.
Of course, I’ve been engaging in a lot of cat-watching myself lately, with Clara the kitten well-settled in and co-existing peacefully with all the assorted other animals. Having a kitten again reminds me of the differences between cats and dogs:
Dogs: “Mom? Mom! Did you look at us? Did you say something? Do you want something? We’re listening! We’ll be right there! Whatever you want! We’ll do it! Love you! Love you! Love you!”
Cat: “Yeah, I heard you. Whatever. I’m chasing a bug. I’ll get back to you.”
Dogs: “Flavored rocks in a bowl? Yummy! Thank you! We love you!”
Cat: “In my old house, they fed me something else. I want that back. I don’t want you’re giving me. Change it.”
Dogs: “Leave the kitty alone? OK, well if you say so, you must have a good reason. We trust your knowledge, leadership and wisdom. We will now do as requested, and settle into our dog beds.”
Cat: “Leave the parrot alone? Are you talking to me? I can’t really hear anything except an annoying buzz. I will assume you are addressing those stupid dogs and continue doing what I feel is best.”
OK, enuffadat.
Other news: Yes, we’re anticipating a live-blogging of the FDA media briefing this morning. No, of course we haven’t been told what time. After some reporters got notice a full 20 minutes after it started last time, we’re hoping everyone will get told just a little earlier.
When you don’t really WANT any pesky reporters asking questions at a carefully staged “LYING to the media” event, late or delayed notification is a wonderful way to accomplish that, just like not taking questions from, say, Christie.
When they want to actually get something done, they can do it.
When they are just going through the minimum motions to pacify the lowly peasants, darned if they don’t make a whole lot more “mistakes”.
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 17, 2007 @ 8:49 am
Note to self “buy tequila,limes, call broker re buying stock in tequila”
Comment by elliott — May 17, 2007 @ 8:50 am
Well, China isn’t happy about the testing required by Europe & US.
I’m happy that they’re not happy :)
Cheap ain’t so cheap anymore.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenew.....290125.htm
“Eventually they could demand traceability similar to that for non-GMO products … which would raise costs. Given higher costs and credibility, there’s a question if you would still want to buy raw materials from China.”
Comment by Ann H — May 17, 2007 @ 8:56 am
Do not forget a basket of rolled up socks for throwing purposes!
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 17, 2007 @ 8:59 am
E. - copy that: basket of socks. Am on it.
I’d suggest a stout ship of furious viking kitties in full battle mode as well. Those kitties can be quite useful at times. But you already knew that. ;)
Comment by Ally — May 17, 2007 @ 9:31 am
Those rolled-up socks: For the pets or the FDA?
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 17, 2007 @ 9:31 am
“Eventually they could demand traceability similar to that for non-GMO products … which would raise costs. Given higher costs and credibility, there’s a question if you would still want to buy raw materials from China.”
unfortunately, still some of the organic (which is non-gmo) products coming into the US are from China… due to labor, etc they can STILL do it cheaper *angry*
Comment by lablover — May 17, 2007 @ 9:31 am
*dons current fav t-shirt*
Front of tee reads:
TROUBLESOME BLOGGER
Back reads:
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE - PISS OFF, DUANE!
Comment by Ally — May 17, 2007 @ 9:42 am
The TROUBLESOME BLOGGER T-Shirt!
Love it!
I’ll take two, one in powder blue and one in black (for the parallel universe Spocko)
Comment by spocko — May 17, 2007 @ 10:04 am
Gina, when the FDA pisses me off, and they do that so regular that my husband clears my desk on what is marked on his calendar as “FDA LIE ” days, I place a basket of rolled up socks in right hand reach position so when the urge strikes, whammo!
Until my kitty was too sick to chase them, it was fun for him, not much is fun anymore for the kitty and I face another hard choice there.
So it used to be for my pets too, before they died or were sick and now, it is mostly for the FDA.
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 17, 2007 @ 10:08 am
spocko - You’re on!!!
LMAO @ your parallel universe notation.
Thanks for yet another much needed laugh!
Comment by Ally — May 17, 2007 @ 10:11 am
*looks around, open to take advance orders for tequila shots*
Ally - I’ll take a shirt too please. :-)
Comment by Kim — May 17, 2007 @ 10:17 am
Kim - notta problem chica! Just let me know your color and size preference. Oh and add me in for the advanced tequila shot orders. We missed ya huge on Tuesday, Lady! :D
Comment by Ally — May 17, 2007 @ 10:30 am
*puts on pot of coffee and pulls out the Bailey’s*
anyone up for a spot o’ spiked coffee?
Comment by straybaby — May 17, 2007 @ 10:38 am
Heck stray, at this point I’m seriously considering a big snort of cognac.
Comment by Ally — May 17, 2007 @ 10:40 am
yeah, they should just hold these meetings during happy hour. it would be so much less disturbing. and hey! it could work in their favor, we might not be as sharp! ;)
Comment by straybaby — May 17, 2007 @ 10:43 am
*hands huge mug over to straybaby*
Ally - Bright yellow, so no one can miss it.
Comment by Kim — May 17, 2007 @ 10:47 am
Kim - copy that. I’ll work on getting neon colors in as well.
Thankees for the idea. *cackle*
Comment by Ally — May 17, 2007 @ 10:50 am
Oooooohh, neon pink. ;-)
(Live blogging FDA thread is now open, drinks are ready and waiting…)
Comment by Kim — May 17, 2007 @ 10:58 am
Kim - neon pink it is.
I’m already over at the FDA thread - saving you a seat! ;)
Oh and da bar’s open for anyone interested.
Methinks we may need it!
Comment by Ally — May 17, 2007 @ 10:59 am
You wacky dog people. ;)
Comment by Katherine — May 17, 2007 @ 12:10 pm