Alison

Mr & Mrs Bright have left a message on Castledon Kennel's answering machine. To say that they are smitten with Dumbo and delighted that I brought him to their attention would be an understatement! Fingers crossed that he will be going home soon and forever.

Norman and Florence Aron Sol I'm sure that Yeti won't mind you using this one of The Beastly Beasts. 8 rescue dogs belonging to the same family who live in perfect harmony (and line up for a photo call!). A great advert for rescue dogs I'd say

Please, please don't anyone take this as me playing devil's advocate or an attempt to make anyone justify their view - the question, as always, is genuine. There's absolutely no need to feel defensive as I am honestly interested to hear what vegans and meat eaters alike might think This is something I've wanted to ask for ages but I've never felt that there has been an appropriate time or place. I'm not vegan but often reflect upon all issues related to animal welfare - including that of even the most "ordinary" of insects - thus this thread re. the vegan approach is very interesting to me. Following on from the issue of animals in zoos, the posts regarding quality and length of life for farm animals and ditto that of wild creatures: Do we have the right to keep pets? Billy's choice of words in terms of "having" cats (as opposed to "owning" them) made me smile and is partly what made me feel that this is the appropriate time and place to ask. Those [cats] who are allowed to roam freely have the choice of whether or not to continue gracing us with their company, but most pets/domestic animals are, essentially, captive. Are they being exploited? I'm thinking of dogs in particular and maybe cats confined to indoors. Even those we have rescued from desperately bad circumstances might very well choose to live a feral life given half the chance and that would seem quite natural. Dogs would probably leg it from our sofas quite cheerfully in favour of a life of "procreating" (i.e. sh*gging every hound in sight - those not neutered, obviously), sleeping rough, scrapping with other dogs over food and territory and preying on other species. Completely leaving aside what bits of their behaviours are habituated and learned from their lives with humans, I imagine that this would be their natural, instinctive default? I must add that despite living amongst a huge variety of dogs for the past 43 years, I still consider myself to be inexperienced so please feel free to *shoot me down in flames; I won't be remotely offended. Of course we prolong their lives and, as we perceive it, the quality of those lives. I'm not quoting anyone in particular as this isn't aimed at anyone particular and I certainly don't want to be seen as baiting because I'm definitely not. I have found all the posts relating to the above (the rights of animals to freedom and quality of life) extremely valid, interesting and thought provoking. It's something I'd like further opinion on. Obviously not while Sol is still in the land of the living, but I am seriously contemplating the rights and wrongs of pet companionship in the future from the perspective of their right to liberty and happiness as they might perceive it. I appreciate that every animal is an individual just as we are but this is a general question and not one about any specific pet that anyone here might own/be owned by. My question is one of general ethics, not about any given pet and what they might choose. Is it morally right to keep a pet, even a rescue? *Happy to be shot down in flames but please read the whole of my post before doing so. I freely confess to being a miserable old bat and get stroppy if I have to repeat myself

Sweet

We have a fully functioning kitchen at work which is in constant use - we sort of eat proper meals in a casual shift pattern but actually end up nibbling all day because someone else has cooked something tasty and cooked too much of it Many of the staff are Italian and they have lots of takes on "pizza". Two of my favourites are: 1) A delicious calzone (folded over pizza) that the chief accountant's mother calls in to make for us. Sliced leeks, courgettes and garlic simmered in butter or olive oil, bunged on top of a partly baked fairly thick doughy base then folded over and finished off in the oven. She normally grinds some coarse salt over the top of the dough before it goes in the oven. 2) Thin base covered with onions, roughly chopped tomatoes (tinned or fresh) and garlic which have been sweated in olive oil. Some sweet red peppers and mild red chillis make a nice addition but this in its most simple form is delicious anyway. I've asked about pizza purism but as far as my colleagues are concerned (and they ought to know - but then again they are a bit daft), there is no right or wrong. Apparently chip, as in French fries, and ketchup pizzas are all the rage in Sardinia at the moment!

Happy Birthday Fee! I hope you're having a lovely day with lots and lots of fab gourmet food. Alison xx & Sol xx

Happy Birthday Jacqui! I hope your special day brings everything you would wish for. Alison xx & Sol xx

I'm so sorry for Saskia and all who loved her

If they see that remark and realise it refers to them, it speaks volumes! Just how paranoid are they? The powers that be at your place make the Stasi look mild by comparison.

I'm so sorry Wendy. Your grief must be unbearable at the moment

As a person owned by a smooth haired hound, I've nothing constructive to add other than maybe PM Lil Angel (Amy) or Hollyhardwick (Sue) who are professional groomers. If you don't know them already, I can personally vouch for the fact that both are extremely approachable and helpful and will provide you with the right advice

I get so fed up with the whole PC thing, particularly in terms of what I regard as my right to free speech. I'm sick of treading on eggshells, having to run everything past the censor in my mind's ear before it leaves my lips. For those who only "know" me here in writing, I can appreciate that I might not seem particularly diplomatic but I promise you that in real life I actually am and in general it's something that comes quite easily to me. However ( ) why the f*ck should I fret about such things as calling Bombay "Bombay" because I've forgotten that it's now Mumbai - the bloody map of the world changes daily as far as I can tell. How am I supposed to keep up? How long before I offend someone by using yesterday's country name and not the new one as of this morning? It irritated me beyond belief that the second it sunk in that Burma had become Myanmar and I started calling it that, it was Burma again Quite how a lad with Down's Syndrome (are we still allowed to call it that? Is it not "differently chromosomally abled" or something nowadays? If not, I'm surprised), unable to tie his own shoelaces or go to the toilet unassisted is supposed to navigate his way through the minefield of political correctness I do not know. Absolutely disgusting that he and his family should have been subjected to this pointless and stupid ordeal and a ridiculous waste of public money. Friends of mine in the police force have some really stupid rules to live with. I'm not going to think about it too deeply as I get so angry but one of the things is how anyone they stop and search has to choose their own ethnic nomenclature. I've seen the list of choices and it's mind boggling. To cut a long story short, I have every right to decide that I'm "Black Somali" (e.g.) then complain that being stopped and searched was motivated by institutional racism in that force. I don't know who comes up with this bleeding heart do-goody liberal shite but can't they see that it is not helping anyone (least of all the minorities it is supposed to protect)? My place of work is referred to by everyone employed there as The United Nations, East Midlands Branch - seriously cosmopolitan and it's like a haven away from the world of political correctness. Poking fun at each other's racial stereotypes is something we giggle at an awful lot and I come in for it as much, if not more and worse than anyone (lone Brit and female). I am frequently referred to with genuine pity as being "only an English woman" and I find it hysterically funny. We're all in the poo once we lose the ability to tell and hear it like it is and laugh I think, although that is a world away from malicious taunts which are a different matter entirely. My colleagues from eastern Europe (yep, another name that's probably non-PC now) dread hearing the latest helpful PR brainwave campaign that whatever it is racial thingy board has come up with. They say that it highlights their differentness in the community that they've previously rubbed along well with and causes resentment against them. This morning I realised what a hyprocrite I am though. Radio 4 news came on while I was getting ready to go out and I was really shocked to hear the headline that: "John Prescott has admitted to suffering from the illness bulimia". As a politician I loathe that man with a passion (whilst I wouldn't be sorry if his head dropped off, I wouldn't wish illness on anyone) but since when did it become OK for the BBC to report someone "admitting" to suffering from an illness? That implies shame and I can't see why anyone should be ashamed of having an illness. I don't know anyone with bulimia so have no particular axe to grind but it just struck me that nobody would say that someone had admitted to having cancer or heart failure. But there's the rub - that reporter has every bit as much right to freedom of speech as I have. It's just that I didn't like this as other people have the right not to like what I think is perfectly OK to say. Edited to correct punctuation - which in all likelihood is still dreadful nonetheless

I suppose that's why I ask too, Terrier. There's much about the vegan lifestyle which I know little about but asking on The Refuge has always provided me with the information that I need to begin to form my own opinions. It usually leads to me asking something else later on! My questions (which admittedly might seem a bit leftfield at times) aren't ever meant to provoke, rile or even be off topic - they really are genuine. The one about parasites came from wondering if, in terms of a vegan approach, worms and fleas have less right to life than, say, mammals. Billy's answer provided a great deal of food for thought but whether I take her whole ethos on board is another matter and a personal one. I can see the logic of attempting to deter parasites as opposed to killing them and it gives me a better understanding of a vegan approach to all manner of things.

I sincerely hope that these symptoms are a very temporary side effect of Bumpy's chemo. Feeling for both of you and sending positive thoughts

More than I asked for and very welcome indeed - and you answered my question perfectly. Thank you!

Ice

This could have been a lot, lot worse Marge. My friend Mad Mary once complained of peculiar fizzy pills - she'd been taking them for quite a few days before she brought the packet to me (she is illiterate). They were pessaries! To be frank, I can't make up my mind which I think is the more embarrassing of the two "confessions"

Thanks both Yes, I'd checked out every bit of info I could about Dumbo including his blog but just wanted to be certain that he is definitely available before I pass his details on. He struck me as ticking every single box so immediately - particularly the fact that he's been overlooked for so long and second to that his okayness with cats. Re. Ethel, I will also pass her details on but ensure that if the people make an enquiry they ask specifically about cats.

What sad news Chasta, our thoughts are with you tonight

Why bother ranting at them at all? If you've cancelled the direct debit you can rest assured that they'll be phoning you. I'd use the opportunity to give them the real runaround and let them waste their own time. When they call, give vague bogus answers that mean they'll have to go to other departments, look into the matter further and call you back. String this out over the space of a week to cause maximum aggravation. I'd let most of their calls go unanswered too so that they get really frustrated. Certainly give the impression that you'd like another DD mandate sending out so that they waste further time. Make sure when you speak to them for the last time (after they've made a load of effort) sweetly inform them that you've found cheaper insurance and thank them for their time and trouble. I'd give rather a lot for a chance like this, lucky you!

More a vegan lifestyle question than a vegan diet one, what would be a vegan approach to parasite control - worms, fleas etc?

I'm so sad to hear your news I hope that PC remains comfortable and without pain. Please make sure you take care of yourself too Phebe. Hugs and thoughts from both me and Sol for the two of you

The lady who runs Leicestershire RGT had an enquiry this morning by telephone. The spec is: "Old greyhound who nobody else wants, not bothered about health issues, infirmity or appearance. Must be safe with cats and children". I wondered about Dumbo at Castledon Greyhound Rescue. Does anyone know if he's still available before I point the people in his direction? Leics RGT lady is quite new to rescue (making a very good job of it though), hasn't got into the networking side of things yet plus terrified of computers, hence the reason that it's me posting.

Nothing major today, nothing unusual at all in fact. I do get fed up of being the only normal, sane person in the world sometimes though, that's all.

A million tips, mostly mischief related but I'm too tired now. Proddle me tomorrow.