The Minkey

Yes I think it's sad. ED caters for a rather specific demographic, which doesn't really provide for the older generations, imo. They are us, just a bit further down the line.

I managed to help reunite Elvis the pug with his family by googling and finding their ad for him on Dogslost so it's well worth checking it out. You could also try posting on SE23.com which is a little closer to where you found her. Poor wee thing.

"He explained that there had been work undertaken on water pipes and I think he said the wrong sealant had been used and the chemical was getting into the water." I'd be pressing for answers if this was the case. I'd want to know what the chemical was and whether it could be harmful if ingested. If it's true, then you'd think a fair amount was being released into the water if you were all able to smell it in your houses. Not good.

I spent a couple of months living in a small house on the edge of Phewa Lake in Nepal many years ago. I loved sleeping out on the veranda waking to the sight of the fish tail peak of Machapuchare turning golden-pink in the first rays of the morning, the whole reflecting in the waters of the lake below. It remains the most magical place in my memory.

Had the same reaction to Q8 - answered accordingly.

Nette: Sometimes you're funny, right now you're about as hilarious as an 8 year old obsessed with boobies. Must try harder..

Thanks WB. I'm using the 60% meat Hi-Life food at the moment but as it's packed in Thailand, I wonder about the quality of the chicken etc used as commercial foods can contain foods of a nature and quality you wouldn't knowingly feed your animal, and I figure the regs in Thailand might be looser still. All in all, I think a food that most closely follows a cat's natural diet must be better for it, if only the level of moisture content, so I don't/won't feed dry foods. If I were commited enough and knowledgable enough, I'd make it myself from raw but I really don't have the confidence to do so for fear I'd be missing out something vital, e.g. taurine.

Of course cats should be grain free - ideally they should be on a high protein/high fat diet with non of the crap fillers that comprise most of what's in most commercially available cat foods (which are often no greater than 4% meat content). Seeing as I've once again taken on the commitment of having a cat, I'd like to be able to feed her something suitable for an obligate carnivore - my previous cat became hyperthyroid and had problems with elevated glucose levels towards the end of his life so I'd really like to do my best to avoid potential diet related health issues for this girl. PGC: Unfortunately, they can't survive on fish/muscle meat alone. Someone posted a link to what looked like a good food - several months ago - but I didn't pay much attention at the time as I'd just lost Thomas and didn't think I'd be getting another.

Having just adopted a furry friend, I'd like to be able to feed her a high meat content wet food without the cereal fillers. Someone posted on the boards some time ago recommending a brand of cat food available in the UK which is high protein/carb free. Can anyone recall what it's called?

I always go late afternoon and I'm often the only person there.

I agree, David. Poor sod, lucky it's been a mild winter this year.

Actually, it's easier to pick up Giardia here than you might think. A friend picked it up in London, Thames water most likely, as she was living on a houseboat at the time. But all it takes is for someone who has got it to be a little careless with hand washing and it will get transferred to surfaces, food etc, ready for its next victim. Years ago I spent several months in Nepal where I picked up a hefty dose - I seem to recall that one of its defining symptoms was the production (from both ends) of large quantities of sulpherous wind, which doesn't happen with bacterial/amoebic dysentary. I too have The Cold. It's the first I've had in years so I'm not au fait with OTC remedies but what I have found is dosing with Benadryl has helped the insane nasal irritation/prickling quite a lot.

Food recycling does include meat, bones, etc., though I believe they draw the line at corpses.

Well done for letting him in and making sure he was safe. It's the kindness of strangers who come to our aid that helps balance bad experiences.

I popped into Celia Hammond's last week to drop off some cat food. There was a lady there who was just picking a cat up having had it neutered. Anytime she gets hold of an intact cat, she takes it down to be done, then once it's recovered, she lets it go again. I got the impression they do this as a free service. Unneutered toms can be a nightmare. We used to have a tomcat 'visitor' in our last house who would get in through the flap and spray all round the kitchen :-(

Bit early for the Brixton Academy fire: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16325908

Quality sneer, Nette, but not everyone can afford organic.

Morrisons doing whole salmon at ?4.99 a kilo which works out @ ?9 per fish. Bargain!

I can recall seeing a few stories about people who bought in mixed council/private blocks and got hit with huge bills when when common areas such as the roof needed works.

Several years ago the same thing happened with a Henry Moore sculpture. Shame it wasn't secured sooner given the recent spate of metal thefts :-(

Or sharing a toothbrush ;-)

Unlikely to have been the neutradol - I used some of that once but it was a bit intense/chokey so I didn't use it again - it doesn't linger for that long. You hadn't had the radiators repainted since you last had the heating on, had you, or recently purchased one of those oil filled electric rads? I had a duff one which stunk initially every time it was turned on.

Why would having an electric shaver make him any more likely to shave? Perhaps you should get him this instead: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gentlemans-Guide-Beard-Moustache-Management/dp/0752459759/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324203116&sr=8-1

A home-based amphetamine factory: Waste chemicals going down the drain?

Totally agree, AQ. Hardly ever have to wait long, and on the rare occasion I do, well, that's just the luck of the draw. Wonder why it is that the 343 drivers are so much more considerate of their passengers when it's the same company running both routes? I've seen 343's wait for people running for the bus on a regular basis. Having moved here from Brixton where you'd often reach the stop to have the doors close in your face (or on your head as my OH once experienced), the 343s drivers have been a really pleasant surprise.