scotslass

Thinking of you and your family, Mel. Night night, Dennis.

All best wishes for the move, Owl. Here's to a wonderful new life.

Positive update... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-11397835 Looks as though they may have identitifed the owner and that poor Ginger will have no problem finding a new home.

Hope Ben's a bit better this morning.

How sad - I'm so sorry. My thoughts are with all who loved her.

Absolutely stunning - looks idyllic. (and the dogs are beautiful of course! )

Sorry I'm late - happy birthday!

My heart sank too. I can't remember what cross the Patterdale puppy is but it's another terrier... The two older dachshunds he was looking after looked far more suitable for an elderly man with balance problems - I'd hoped he was going to get an oldie. It's a disaster waiting to happen.

You need some assertiveness training. I understand how it can happen, but you have to start considering your own needs - real friends don't use each other like that. Your female friend isn't helping either; you aren't responsible for everyone else's arrangements, and it's time both of them grew up and accepted that.

Hello! Lovely to see you again.

Yes. From the Rampantscotland website..."Sticky Willie - cleavers or goose grass"

I wouldn't put up with any of that, I'm afraid. And his little habits aren't just unhygienic - he sounds repulsive. I think you should find a properly assessed, house-trained, socialised lodger.

Same here. I spent many years with a self-centred, thoughtless, difficult man - but I got lucky second time around. I could live without a man (I did, for ages), and I could live without a dog. I don't want to live with a difficult dog, any more than I want a difficult man. Neither is particularly rewarding, unless you enjoy a challenge - and I find life challenging enough as it is.

It was farcical, wasn't it? It began to look very stagey at one point, with everyone running around endlessly, coughing and yelling, (but not keeping clear of the burning building ) and I couldn't help laughing at Barbara Windsor. She really is hopeless. The only one I cared about was Stacey, so I'm glad her character survived - despite an amazingly high jump from the rescue ladder.

You could be perimenopausal, though. I had lots of symptoms for a few years before my periods stopped completely (and I hate to tell you, but mine started to come every two weeks for a while... ) http://www.cyberspacehealthclinic.co.uk/ailments/perimenopause.html

Yes, me too. What a piece of nonsense. I see that Rangers Football Club, not known for their pro-Catholic stance, are making a few bob out of the occasion. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2010/05/09/ibrox-car-parks-to-be-used-by-worshippers-for-pope-benedict-s-visit-to-scotland-86908-22245645/

I'd go back to this time - late 40s - and just savour the time when I had my Grandpa (in pic, with me). He was born in 1881, went to Australia on a sailing ship, came home to be a miner, and gave me my love of books. I don't want to go further back, because I know my ancestors would be the ones doing the hard work for all those privileged folk, and even if I were just looking on, I'd be livid at the injustice of it all.

Di - for you and your dad.

I usually listen to Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, 60s stuff generally, Stones, Dixie Chicks, Rufus Wainwright - but this sound makes me shiver, despite what I just said about religion on another thread...

Having had the life frightened out of me by the Presbyterian God of my childhood (via church, Sunday School, school, mother), I no longer go either. I am always astonished when people say they find religion comforting; the thought of an after-life, with all that judgement - and separation from "non-believers" - horrifies me.

I don't suppose he's appeared yet? Doesn't sound like the easiest set-up to look after - poor you.

I'm so sorry. Thinking about you.

Thinking of you and your Mum.

You're not alone. There's a particularly horrible blog about a missing cat, where the humour is based on his ridicule of the owner's distress. It's very easy humour, poking fun at other people's weaknesses and values. I prefer people who laugh at themselves or at the little foibles we all share. Thinking of you and your dad. Jazz, that's a lovely picture.

They may be lovely people, but why on earth do they leave two dogs outside for hours on end, barking or not? Is there a possibility you could get someone else to approach them to report the barking? I know how hard it is when you're trying to run a business - you don't want to risk alienating them (or their friends!). I stayed at a guest house once where there were Newfies; they were much-loved, lived in several acres of land and spent most of their day outside while their owner worked alongside them...but they barked at everything which moved. Frankly, that would drive me crazy, but at least they had no close neighbours and we only heard them when we actually walked past. I once had newish neighbours whose dog barked every time they left him - and since he had access to the garden, that's where he did his barking. I hate confrontation and didn't know them well, so one night when it had been particularly bad, I popped a note through their door, saying how upset he'd sounded and that I knew they wouldn't realise since he stopped the minute he heard their car come back - adding that I'd be happy to go over and let him out for them any time (meaning they could keep him indoors!). I never heard him bark at night again - they never mentioned it, but we're still on speaking terms. I think it's downright anti-social of people to keep dogs outside and allow them to annoy other people all day long.