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Post by Spiderdancer on Nov 6, 2005 15:20:39 GMT -5
That's hilarious. Hey, anyone - is it true that you hold newborn horses on your lap so they'll always think you're bigger than they are?
This just happened this morning.
Loligo (cat) whines loudly. (I know cats supposedly don't whine, but I know of no other way to describe this sound.)
Shalen: What's your problem, kitty?
Loligo: Places a paw on my bare calf and then firmly bites it.
Shalen: OW!! What was THAT for??
Loligo: Calmly walks around to the OTHER leg. Places a paw on my calf. And bites me AGAIN.
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Post by pfrsue on Nov 6, 2005 15:53:39 GMT -5
That's hilarious. Hey, anyone - is it true that you hold newborn horses on your lap so they'll always think you're bigger than they are? Not exactly on your lap, (I mean, they do weigh over a hundred pounds at birth and can kick with an impressive amount of force) but the concept is correct, yep. It's called "imprinting". Actually, you can prove to any age horse that you're bigger than it is, but it's much easier to get the message across when they're newborns.  |
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Post by PoolMan on Nov 6, 2005 23:42:33 GMT -5
Um.... and we think the horses think we're bigger because...? I mean, is someone asking them?
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Post by pfrsue on Nov 7, 2005 6:40:52 GMT -5
Sure. Horses are herd animals, and herds are all about pecking order and who fits where on the social ladder. Someone has to lead, everyone else has to follow. Horses always want to know who the biggest, strongest and smartest horse is.
So when ol' Thunderguts and I have a difference of opinion, it's pretty important that he recognizes that I'm lightyears above him in the pecking order. Then he'll do what I want, as opposed to walking over top of me, tossing me into a ditch, or (as happened in one memorably extreme case) picking me up by my jacket and shaking me like a terrier with a rather suprised mouse.
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Post by Head Mutant on Nov 7, 2005 8:57:42 GMT -5
Well. There's a mental image to get me through the day. Thanks!
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Post by Head Mutant on Nov 8, 2005 8:28:58 GMT -5
Marcie, our "special" bunny, is a dwarf Lop, which means she sorta looks like a furry Britney Spears if I could just get a bucket hat to stay on her head (the bunny).
Probably the most interesting thing she does, other than THUMP her feet to get our attention, is moving her ears around. Although she's a Lop and they got them funky down-turned ears, she's also got something called "partially reticulated ears" or something like that. It basically means she can put the ears up or down, depending on her mood, and you as a person can also pose her ears any way you want. Up. Down. Up. Down.
What makes it weird is that Marcie often just has ONE ear up, and one down, which -- when you walk by her cage -- gives you the distinct impression that she's evesdropping in on a conversation you're not having at the moment. I'm not sure if she is trying to listen for something just out of one ear, or if she had some mild brain damage in the past, but it always looks weird to me.
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Post by Spiderdancer on Nov 8, 2005 14:33:50 GMT -5
Awwwww. Also, the image of a "furry Britney Spears" almost moved me to tears, so powerful was its emotional impact.
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Post by Genetic Mishap on Nov 8, 2005 19:19:28 GMT -5
I have something to mention, although it lies on the end opposite happy. We've had a male rottweiller named Bandit since 1994. He's probably the most beloved dog this family's ever had, when he first arrived I used to suspect that my mom loved him more than her children. He was over 11 years old; rotties are only supposed to live until 8. In his later years, he became ridden with tumors, he had to have a toe removed, and this weekend his hips gave out and he couldn't get up. This morning, he was put to sleep. As far as my family goes, he liked me the least, and I started to ignore him as well in his later days...but now he's gone. He's always been there, and now he's not. I was always an ass to him, and here I am getting my keyboard all wet. I just wanted to get that off my chest.  |
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Post by Head Mutant on Nov 8, 2005 21:26:25 GMT -5
I'm sorry to hear that... losing a pet is always hard. I remember how tough it was when my first pug had to be put down, so my sympathies to you.
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Post by PoolMan on Nov 9, 2005 11:10:02 GMT -5
Well, fare thee well, Bandit. Hope you're already playing with all our lost friends, too.
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DARTHMADLER
Boomstick Coordinator
WARNING: Low Overhang
Posts: 215
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Post by DARTHMADLER on Nov 9, 2005 12:51:33 GMT -5
My condolences to your loss GM, it takes time but eventually you get through it.
My first dog Max was a Dobermann which we raised from a pup. And of course when he was little we would keep him on our lap. Funny thing was that when he got older and much MUCH bigger he would still try and get onto our laps. What you would end up with would be either the front half of the dog resting on your lap with the hind legs still standing or (if your legs were stretched out) the dog would try and back his butt on to your lap.
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Post by Spiderdancer on Nov 9, 2005 16:06:26 GMT -5
My uncle has a 100+ pound female Rottweiler who does the butt-backing thing. This dog is so huge she really needs a warning beeper. Anyway, then she looks over her shoulder at you with an expression of nirvanic bliss. It's hilarious.
In other news, I woke up this morning wearing a furry hat I did not put on before going to sleep. It was also vibrating. Since I have not yet bought any furry vibrating hats (though I'm sure it's just a matter of time), eventually I concluded it was Loligo. Again.
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Post by Genetic Mishap on Nov 9, 2005 16:16:47 GMT -5
Thanks, you guys.
Group hug?
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