Comments on: A SALAMANDER STORY

By: Budahmon

Budahmon — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 04:52:45 +0000

â€œyou may feed me but I still dream of killing you in your sleepâ€

I call that the “I’m waiting for you to die so I can eat your eyeballs”look. Mrs.Budahmon

By: TyphoonTommy

TyphoonTommy — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:53:01 +0000

Is Ebony still with you? I read your “A Long Goodbye” piece months ago, and kept it to read every now and then as we were losing the battle with kidney failure on our own 14 year old Oriental Shorthair. You were right then…”Once you think you have them pegged, they go and do something so outrageously original and different that you have to rewrite the book.” You go Ebony!

By: busboy33

busboy33 — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:35:53 +0000

@Lamontyoubigdummy:

“As a dog guy, cats creep me out (with their ability to see dead people & whatnot). ”

For some bizzare reason that’s specifically why I like them. There’s something paradoxically comforting in that “you may feed me but I still dream of killing you in your sleep” look they get when you tell them no.

I should probably see a shrink about that . . .

By: busboy33

busboy33 — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:31:19 +0000

Yeah, the salamander is most likely going to die a slow and tortured death. My furry Machiavellis were alley cats before deciding to allow me the grace of feeding them, so they never got over the “killing things is fun” attitude. My pre-condolences to Mrs. NutHouse.
On the plus side, this will probably be the most fun your house cats have had this year, so at least the lizard gave its life for the greater good.

By: Lamontyoubigdummy

Lamontyoubigdummy — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:55:10 +0000

As a dog guy, cats creep me out (with their ability to see dead people & whatnot). As far as pets, your fair lady sounds a bit like mine. As such, I advise you NEVER EVER let her see a tree frog. We started with one, and now have eight in a tank the size of a damn refrigerator.

What’s worse, the neighborhood kids have gotten wind and show up (probably stoned) wanting to stare at them, or lick them…I’m afraid to ask.

I hate those frogs. Come to think of it, can I borrow one of your cats?

By: Mark H.

Mark H. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:10:20 +0000

It’s harmless fun Rick, let her enjoy her salamander! I do kind of doubt that a wild one will live very long in captivity, even if the cats are thwarted in their designs on him.

Almost a year ago now, I suddenly decided I needed an aquarium, and got one, added two goldfish (who’ve doubled in size now) and once the environment was stabilized added a snail for clean up duty. Lots of fun, more than I thought it’d be.

Not to mention that I’m proud of myself for not killing them inadvertently somehow!

By: Transplanted Lawyer

Transplanted Lawyer — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:40:27 +0000

That lizard may as well be slathered in salmon unless you put him in a terrarium.

I think he knows the danger he’s in; a lizard’s fear response is to freeze because most of its predators in the wild sense motion. Cats are attracted to motion, too, but they’re smart enough to know where the lizard is even if he stands still.

I hope his remains don’t smell too bad.

By: Lokki

Lokki — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:02:37 +0000

Your salamander will probably share the same functionality that the Geckos in our tropical home used to have - It’ll be

A cat toy AND a cat treat.

I would start scripting expressions of sadness and sympathy for Ms. Zsu Zsu so that you will have them ready on 3 x 5 cards when you need them.

“He was so cute” always works.
“Darn Cats - I was praying for him all the way” works OK.

DO NOT SAY

“Well, I saw THAT coming from a 100 miles away”