OH, AND THE HELL NEIGHBOUR UPSTAIRS HAS GOT HIS MERCEDES BACK (COMPLETE WITH PERSONALISED NUMBER PLATE) AFTER IT WAS REPOSSESSED BY BAILIFFS A FEW WEEKS AGO. THAT BLOKE IS TEFLON-COATED. I HAVE NO DOUBT HIS MOTHER AND STEPFATHER PAID TO RECOVER THE CAR, JUST LIKE THEY PAID OFF HIS MORTGAGE ARREARS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

:(

Sometimes I wish I got angry instead of sad. I'm sorry, Senyar. That sounds like a horrifying thing to have to witness.

poor doggie.

That's really awful, I'm sorry Senyar.

That really sucks about your sister's poor animals.
Are there any more of them?
I am generally against calling the authorities on your family but this might be a reason to do one of those anonymous tips to an animal rescue group or something.
Their lives sound sad.

ALSO I AM GETTING SICK - I HAVE A SORE THROAT, I'M SNEEZING, I HAVE THE RUNS AND I FEEL LIKE CRAP. BUT I HAVE TO GO INTO WORK TOMORROW BECAUSE I JUST GOT BACK FROM HOLIDAY. TOMORROW, IF I FEEL AS BAD AS THIS, I MAY JUST PICK UP MY REMOTE ACCESS TOKEN AND COME HOME INSTEAD, SO I CAN LOG INTO THE SYSTEM FROM HOME AND NOT SPREAD MY GERMS AROUND. MY BOSS'S WIFE IS PREGNANT, AND HE HAS A 3-YEAR-OLD KID TOO, SO I AM SURE HE IS ANXIOUS NOT TO TAKE MY BUGS HOME WITH HIM.

That is awful. She should not have pets.

Holy hell, that's awful.

That really sucks about your sister's poor animals.
Are there any more of them?

She has two other dogs - the sister to the dachshund who died, and an English Springer Spaniel. He is blind, he was born with no eyes and the breeder wanted to euthanise him as a pup, but she said she would have him. Springers are big dogs, he is only four years old and is full of energy, and he never gets taken out for a walk, he is just let out into her little tiny back yard.

Because he is blind, he is always knocking into things and he is totally untrained and out of control. My sister thinks it's okay for him to go careening round the room knocking everything flying and snapping at people. That dog is the main reason I chose to stay at an hotel last time I went up to her home town for a wedding we'd both been invited to.

She also has a fish, which must be quite old by now. It lives in a murky tank in her living room, and the blind dog is always cutting his head on the metal frame of the tank stand.

I'm so sorry, but your sister is a tool. Please have those pets taken away from her.

That right there is very much a person who should not be allowed the joy of animal companionship. They deserve much better than that.

And now, if I may, I have something to shout about too.

IN AUGUST, WE OFFERED A TA POSITION TO AN INCOMING STUDENT. LOOOOOOOOONG STORY SHORT, SHE DITHERED SO LONG AND SO RIDICULOUSLY THAT WE GAVE THE POSITION TO ANOTHER STUDENT. I don't have the energy to type all the details. I'll just say that we knew in August that she was a nutcase. BACK IN AUGUST, WE OFFERED HER A POSITION FOR SPRING QUARTER INSTEAD, SINCE SHE SEEMED TO NEED A LOT OF LEAD TIME. SHE ACCEPTED.

IT WAS REALLY WEIRD, THEN, WHEN I MET HER IN SEPTEMBER AND SHE WAS VISIBLY PREGNANT. THAT SPAWNED SOME MUSING ABOUT HOW SHE WAS GOING TO CARRY OUT HER TA DUTIES WITH A NEWBORN. BUT, WE FIGURED, SHE MUST HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT AND MUST HAVE PLANNED FOR IT. OR, MAYBE SHE'D AT LEAST REALIZE AT SOME POINT THAT IT WAS UNFEASIBLE AND BACK OUT.

SHE HAD THE BABY ON MARCH 2. THREE DAYS AGO, SHE WROTE TO REQUEST MATERNITY LEAVE. THE CLASS STARTS ON MONDAY.

THE KICKER IS THAT SHE'S COVERED BY A UNION CONTRACT, AND SHE'S ACTUALLY ELIGIBLE FOR THAT LEAVE.

IT'S SO INCREDIBLY CALCULATING, I'M REALLY PISSED THAT WE HAVE TO APPROVE HER REQUEST.

AND NOW THAT CLASS OF 80 STUDENTS WON'T HAVE A TA. [AND IN AN AWFUL COINCIDENCE, THE INSTRUCTOR IS CURRENTLY HAVING TO DEAL WITH A FORMER STUDENT, WHO CIRCULATED A BASELESS COMPLAINT AGAINST HER TO THE EVERYONE IN THE DEPARTMENT INSTEAD OF FILING IT THROUGH PROPER CHANNELS. HIS COMPLAINT WAS THAT SHE TEACHERS HER STUDENTS THAT "WHITE MEN ARE THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL."]

I worry for our future.

IT'S HAILING

ACTUAL HAIL

AFTER RAIN AND SNOW, NOW WE HAVE HAIL.

CAN IT PLEASE BE SUNNY TOMORROW????

I was going to shout about stupid pointless stuff but then I read about those poor animals and now I think I'd like to cry instead.

Eesh. *whuffles all around*

I am furious with your sister and sending the evil eye from many miles away. One of my dogs had bloody diarrhea all over the downstairs two weeks ago. I took her to the emergency vet; turned out to be whipworms and $142 and then I had to take the others in the next day to the regular vet for meds since if one has them they all do. I missed the mardi gras parade while I was at the vet - oh boo hoo, oh well but more seriously because I had to pay for it I bounced a couple of checks and ended up owing the bank money and FUCK, I DON'T CARE BECAUSE IF YOUR DOG HAS BLOODY DIARRHEA YOU TAKE THEM TO THE VET BY HOOK OR BY GODDAMN CROOK AND THE WATER BILL CAN WAIT A WEEK. With that money went my slight plan to see James McMurtry and Lucinda Williams and the Fleshtones, oh boo bloody hoo because that's just part of having pets and concerts are a luxury. I'm eating beans so the dogs can have grain free food like the vet recommended and that's how it is. GRAR.

On a lighter note I've done nothing but computer training at my new job for two days and I'm going blind but one of the training thingies - the Learnings, I kid you not, they call them The Learnings as if you're in some kind of 70s fantasy novel and they're being sung at you by sentient trees - was on Loss Prevention. And they used the same model for all the photos of evil deeds. I so so wished I wasn't alone during this because at the end where they ask you "What can YOU do for loss prevention?" I wanted to yell out "Never let that guy near the store!" They also used the same model - a different guy, though - for all these various sad things that can happen to a customer, like his credit card is declined and he gets an emergency phone call and has to leave the store immediately and something about this is also cracking me up, because every time they show this guy it's like, oh god, what is going to happen to him next?

You are right to be angry, Senyar. Your sister's poor animals can't speak up for themselves -- except to show their distress, which she ignores.

I used to have an employee of whom I was fond -- my husband and I picked her up every AM and drove her to and from work. She had two adorable little cats, which I housesat for about a week for her. Eventually for personal reasons not relevant here she quit to move to another city, but we stayed in touch via email. Until she casually mentioned that her younger cat had dislocated a leg. For which he'd gotten no treatment because she couldn't afford it. (Though I know she had the bucks for some cosmetic enhancement surgery for herself.) I told her I'd take her cat, would arrange all transport, and would cover all vet bills. No response. That was the end of our friendship. I still feel sick about her cat.

Ugh, poor dog. I've met people who just don't believe in vets...they feel like animals just have a short life, and what will be will be. Needless to say I don't like those people very much.

My shouty:

OMG YOU DISRESPECTFUL, EVIL WOMAN YOU ARE INDIRECTLY DISSING ME TO MY BOSS' BOSS' BOSS AND I AM STANDING RIGHT HERE.

(Also, I want to take a bath but there are thunderstorms. I know I'm probably being overcautious, but that's how I was raised.)

Senyar. . .as someone who agonized over the recent death of a pet, I can understand how you feel. . .*hug*

Senyar, your sister sucks. Those poor animals. I'm sorry you have a sucky sister, too.

- the Learnings, I kid you not, they call them The Learnings as if you're in some kind of 70s fantasy novel and they're being sung at you by sentient trees -

mygothlaundry, in a just world you would be paid to write stuff like this that cracks me up all day every day. Stupid world.

Senyar, I'd be calling the SPCA on said sister so fast it would make her head spin. God damn.

*sighs*

(((Senyar)))

(((Senyar)))
After having read about your dealings with your sister over the years, I wish I could say I was surprised. I'm so very sorry.

I used to have a trio of cats who went their various ways (one ran away from an house that proved unhealthy, one died, and one found other people), and then helped raise a lovely dog who died of kidney and liver complications when I wasn't her "mom" anymore (my ex-marine, ex-fella was sobbing when he told me, and he did the right thing having her put down), and haven't had the heart or space or money to have another pet yet.

We get to enjoy the farm animals at my in-laws' place, but there is a definite care and life cycle there. Cows, goats, cats, and dogs, and all have a purpose. We love them all a lot. Mom-in-law is an MD, so all get appropriate shots, etc. Also, we love them all. Even the cow going to the sale barn. She gets extra treats and petting. We know we are her last good hope in the love department. We hope her passing is swift and painless.

I haven't been able to have a pet in my home for almost 10 years, because I know I don't have the money or the time. The selfishness of people who keep animals and don't take care of them makes my blood boil.

Whuffles all around. I am so saddened by things people will do to helpless, trusting, devoted pets. (And don't get me started on what people will do to children). Yes, money is tight for vet visits, but if there's something wrong, you find a way! All four of my cats and my dog were rescues/strays/unwanted, and I could only wish to save more, except I'm lacking money and room.

Senyar, I am so sorry you have such a sucky, awful, self-centered sister.

I'm sorry too. I couldn't even read all of that, it made me so sad.

FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS WEEK, WINSTON AND SUGAR (MUG SHOT PHOTOS BELOW) RAIDED THE TRASH, KNOCKING THE CAN OVER AND SCATTERING TRASH DEBRIS ALL OVER THE YARD. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ALLOW THE CRAFTINESS OF OLD AGE (SUGAR) TO MIX WITH THE EXUBERANCE OF YOUTH (WINSTON).

HARRUMPH!!!

WINSTON:
≡ Click to see image ≡

SUGAR:
≡ Click to see image ≡

TOGETHER, THEY WILL TAKE OVER THE WORLD!
≡ Click to see image ≡

Like JanetLand, I could hardly bear to read that. I'm so sorry, Senyar.

(Doohickie's pictures cheered me up enough so I could at least add a comment.)

I'm so sorry, Senyar.