Daily Blague

Dear RJ,

I have such a tiny comments, but I am ecstatic at having passed the gate!

Jim won't let me have a dog either.

Elinor

Oh, I am smitten.

Any chance of negotiating for maybe, say, a rabbit?

Having had "custody" of an ex's "feline familiar" for about a year, I can understand both sides of the issue. I loved the cat, a coal-black female with the bizarre name of "Eppie", who was a joy to look at and possessed of a sweet temper.

While she was very little trouble per se; the problems of feeding, cleaning, etc, were, nothing to the tie one has to own's home - how do you leave town without having to make Byzantine arrangements for the animal's feeding and entertainment, (yes, entertainment; you do not want to make a cat angry with you or you will come home to find shredded curtains and other decor rearrangements).

If you own any item worth more than 50 cents, you must also worry about the constant wear and tear a living creature, one without concern for an item's provenance or emotional significance, will have on the items. Silk and cats do not mix and delicate ornaments seem to have the same attraction for kitty as do your human guests who are feline-phobic.

Finally, having lived through being away for 9/11 and hearing how my lady friend, who lived nearby, had to bribe the National Guardsman with coffee, and risk being shot if she went beyond my doorway, to let her venture to my building entrance south of the martial law line of demarcation below 14th Street in order to feed the cat, I felt it was time for Eppie to go back to her "father" and let him worry about her well-being. I now have my warm memories of her, and a clean apartment with unendangered possessions.

From now on, no pets unless and until I live in a house or fairly large apartment; with someone else around to share to burden and joy of pet ownership. To this end, I thank RJ for the posted picture of the personable Astor and declare myself firmly in Kathleen's camp. Better an uncle than a parent...

I have the ideal situation: I love big dogs but have a small apartment. My floor neighbors bought a golden retriever puppy almost three years ago and she is part of my life several times a week but even after a romp in the Park from which she emerges wet and dirty, she is returned to their apartment and they tend to the mess. They are so in to having this wonderful beast that the dirtier I bring her home, the happier they are......she is expert at doing snow angels in the mud, followed by rolling in leaves.........