Hit 40 after ticking all but one milestones
-
Today's my big 4-0 (:party hat:), and I was asked at the party on Saturday night if I'd done everything I'd wanted to by now. Moved abroad? Tick! Moved to a broad? Tick! (I'll phrase this better when letting Annika know about the post!) Have a house? Sort of - bought and sold one, but renting right now. Have a family? This is the biggie, and Sten Lachlan was born six months and a year ago. I didn't post about it at the time, as he was in hospital for several weeks, and if the worst happened, I probably would have retreated for a while. But all is good, and he's roaring ahead of where he should be on the charts. Got a great job? The job I had in the UK was more show-offable, with international travel, and giant (not-killer) robots, but the job I have now pays more, let's me be in a different country, stretches my programming skills and widens then, lets me work from home almost all the time (which is awesome for parenthood), and is with a great group of peeps. I think all I'm missing is a dog! So... life is pretty sweet. I just need new ambitions! Iain. [Edited - some auto-correct thing changed my son's name from Sten to Stan! Grrrrrr!]
I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!
Congrats to all of that. An extra congratulation that a midlife crisis wasn't in the list, it's one of those things you don't want.
Light moves faster than sound. That is why some people appear bright, until you hear them speak. List of common misconceptions
-
I am coming under intense pressure for a dog at the moment, from both wife and child. They want a yappy piece of pedigree crap. I refuse to pay hundreds to perpetrate inbred deformities in breeds. I also think it is cruel as I work full time, and my wife part time so the dog would be on its own too much to be really kind. I keep trying to tell them they will get all in love with the thing and then it will die leaving them heartbroken. Flushing the fish every few months is a far less emotional experience. Plus they make your house smell and leave hair and drool everywhere. And of course when it is cold, or wet, I'll be the idiot walking the damn thing and having pockets full of dog shit.
Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.
If you want a dog with pedigree, get a hunting dog. They just don't fulfill the purpose of hunting if they're overly inbred. And a dog that you want to be able to let loose, needs to want to get home when they've finished hunting. So hunting dogs are generally very good family dogs.
Light moves faster than sound. That is why some people appear bright, until you hear them speak. List of common misconceptions
-
I was sure (with no evidence whatsoever) that Sten was going to be a girl. I had a little while of disbelief when he was a boy. Iain.
I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!
-
If you want a dog with pedigree, get a hunting dog. They just don't fulfill the purpose of hunting if they're overly inbred. And a dog that you want to be able to let loose, needs to want to get home when they've finished hunting. So hunting dogs are generally very good family dogs.
Light moves faster than sound. That is why some people appear bright, until you hear them speak. List of common misconceptions
Living in Sweden, hunting dogs are probably pretty normal, but a) wouldn't they be expensive, or is that just for the "good" ones? b) I bet they need a LOT of exercise! Iain.
I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!
-
Living in Sweden, hunting dogs are probably pretty normal, but a) wouldn't they be expensive, or is that just for the "good" ones? b) I bet they need a LOT of exercise! Iain.
I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!
Iain Clarke, Warrior Programmer wrote:
b) I bet they need a LOT of exercise!
A big mistake people make is thinking that bigger dogs need more exercise. Working dogs - Collies for example - need hours as they have been bred to keep going all day every day. Some large hunting dogs need surprisingly little exercise - maybe an hour a day - they just need to run when they're out and keep running. I've mostly had terriers of various sizes and they all have one trait. They will take as much exercise as they're given, but they do NEED to be exercised three or four times a day, but probably only for 10-15 minutes with one longer walk. The easiest is a decent Jack Russell - just open the door and he'll go off and elephant everything.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
-
Iain Clarke, Warrior Programmer wrote:
b) I bet they need a LOT of exercise!
A big mistake people make is thinking that bigger dogs need more exercise. Working dogs - Collies for example - need hours as they have been bred to keep going all day every day. Some large hunting dogs need surprisingly little exercise - maybe an hour a day - they just need to run when they're out and keep running. I've mostly had terriers of various sizes and they all have one trait. They will take as much exercise as they're given, but they do NEED to be exercised three or four times a day, but probably only for 10-15 minutes with one longer walk. The easiest is a decent Jack Russell - just open the door and he'll go off and elephant everything.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
My uncle had a Jack Russell when I was a kid, it worked as a ratter on a local farm. Used to savage the bag of the vacuum cleaner if it got the chance. Apparently when I was much younger it used to jump up and grip onto the hair on the back of my head (long girly 70s haircut). Kept going until it was 17 / 18 and died a bit at a time. I do like them as dogs, and if I have to give in and get one I might try to steer things in that direction.
Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.
-
Iain Clarke, Warrior Programmer wrote:
b) I bet they need a LOT of exercise!
A big mistake people make is thinking that bigger dogs need more exercise. Working dogs - Collies for example - need hours as they have been bred to keep going all day every day. Some large hunting dogs need surprisingly little exercise - maybe an hour a day - they just need to run when they're out and keep running. I've mostly had terriers of various sizes and they all have one trait. They will take as much exercise as they're given, but they do NEED to be exercised three or four times a day, but probably only for 10-15 minutes with one longer walk. The easiest is a decent Jack Russell - just open the door and he'll go off and elephant everything.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
Nagy Vilmos wrote:
A big mistake people make is thinking that bigger dogs need more exercise.
Not me! I've grown up connected to a sheep farm that had collies, and they get very unpleasant if they're not worked. My parents second dog (they're fourth, but the second I knew) was a black lab, and that's a lazy thing most of the time. Trained to sit at the duck hunter's feet 99% of the time, and a short burst of activity for 1%. Our previous dog was a mongrel terrier, and that't the gold standard any other dog will be compared to. The only Jack Russell I've known was a pycho whatnot that ruled its two Rottie housemates, so that's put me off a bit. Iain.
I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!
-
My uncle had a Jack Russell when I was a kid, it worked as a ratter on a local farm. Used to savage the bag of the vacuum cleaner if it got the chance. Apparently when I was much younger it used to jump up and grip onto the hair on the back of my head (long girly 70s haircut). Kept going until it was 17 / 18 and died a bit at a time. I do like them as dogs, and if I have to give in and get one I might try to steer things in that direction.
Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.
ChrisElston wrote:
Used to savage the bag of the vacuum cleaner if it got the chance.
Apparently when I was much younger it used to jump up and grip onto the hair on the back of my head (long girly 70s haircut).Ah, he had the 'calm' type. :laugh: My first jack was well known to the local police. He was regularly picked up when a lady dog was ready for action and he paid his respects [hence the Alsation rape]. On one occasion he stole more meat from the butchers than we ate in a week. He also took on anything and everything that moved. A local bulldog tried to get him to leave the garden; the bulldog went to the vets. Jack Russells are the best elephanting dogs.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
-
Nagy Vilmos wrote:
A big mistake people make is thinking that bigger dogs need more exercise.
Not me! I've grown up connected to a sheep farm that had collies, and they get very unpleasant if they're not worked. My parents second dog (they're fourth, but the second I knew) was a black lab, and that's a lazy thing most of the time. Trained to sit at the duck hunter's feet 99% of the time, and a short burst of activity for 1%. Our previous dog was a mongrel terrier, and that't the gold standard any other dog will be compared to. The only Jack Russell I've known was a pycho whatnot that ruled its two Rottie housemates, so that's put me off a bit. Iain.
I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!
Iain Clarke, Warrior Programmer wrote:
The only Jack Russell I've known was a pycho whatnot that ruled its two Rottie housemates, so that's put me off a bit.
If he's your dog then he's only a psycho-murder-rapist with other people.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
-
ChrisElston wrote:
Used to savage the bag of the vacuum cleaner if it got the chance.
Apparently when I was much younger it used to jump up and grip onto the hair on the back of my head (long girly 70s haircut).Ah, he had the 'calm' type. :laugh: My first jack was well known to the local police. He was regularly picked up when a lady dog was ready for action and he paid his respects [hence the Alsation rape]. On one occasion he stole more meat from the butchers than we ate in a week. He also took on anything and everything that moved. A local bulldog tried to get him to leave the garden; the bulldog went to the vets. Jack Russells are the best elephanting dogs.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
-
Just been looking at the Jack Russell Rescue website. A long list of Jack / Everything crosses :-D after all the pure ones.
Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.
Oh God, I must not[^] read[^] that[^] site[^]! Want one [or four].
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
-
Living in Sweden, hunting dogs are probably pretty normal, but a) wouldn't they be expensive, or is that just for the "good" ones? b) I bet they need a LOT of exercise! Iain.
I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!
Well, I would say that "fancy" popular breeds cost more than good hunting dog breeds. But pedigree is more important than breed. But with the case of hunting dogs it's not the dog show champions that counts, but the hunting champions. A hunting dog that doesn't get excercise normally just becomes a bad hunter, while for example sheperd dogs like a border collie would go crazy. And a watchdog I wouldn't even think of having as a family dog. Also remember that all dog breeds, except Papillon AFAIK, are originally working dogs. The Poodle for example is a water fetching breed, which supposedly explains the classic hairdo. It's supposed to keep its joints warm. And the Chihuahua is originally a watchdog, not the dangerous kind, but the kind that wakes the Bloodhounds.
Light moves faster than sound. That is why some people appear bright, until you hear them speak. List of common misconceptions
