Ping David Cohen

"Lee Michaels" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Here is the latest in our cat - dog adventures here at the Michaels
homestead.

Snookie, overpriced showdog has finally found a new home. One of her
owners died of heart failure a week ago and the other owner was generally
heartbroken and did not want to take her back because it was too painful
for him.

I don't like him. Dog's better off somewhere else anyway.

Quoted message said:

Thankfully we found somebody at Dawn's work who loves these little dogs
and has one at home already who is getting old. And the opportunity to
pick up a young dog with papers (for free) and a pedigree greatly
influenced the decision.

Eewwee. I don't think I like him/her, either. I'm in a very people-hating
mood.

Quoted message said:

Now, the problem. As I stated before, our cat Meesha, became terrified of
little Snookie. Which is odd, because she is at least twice as big as
him. And kicks ass all over the neighborhood. She is not afraid of german
shepards. But this little chihauhau just terrified her.

Ya' know the stereotype about the elephant fearing the mouse. Or most people
and little tiny bugs.

Quoted message said:

She would not come in the house and we had to feed her outside. We got
her to come in the house a total of four times in the last month. Each
time she slept on the bed behind a closed door. And we had to hand carry
her to the bedroom too. She ate inside tonight, but wanted back out
immediately.

Was that a real stinky Chihuahua, or what?

Quoted message said:

I am sure that she does not trust us because we brought this little terror
into her house.

Don't anthropomorphize. You don't know what the cat is thinking, or feeling.
You just know how she's behaving.

Quoted message said:

But we would like to have her back. She responds with great affection when
we are outside. But she still thinks that the little dog is here and is
going to do something terrible to her.

Kitty psychic, huh?

Quoted message said:

So, the question, what can we do to restore our cat's trust

Anthropomorphizing.

Quoted message said:

and get her back into the house and her usual routine?

We do not feel that we should rush it in any way or force her to stay in.
If she wants out, we will let her out.

That's good.

Quoted message said:

We also feel, however this sorts out, it will take some time. So patience
is a part of the equation.

Sure.

Quoted message said:

Any other ideas or suggestions?

Regardless of what Meesha is thinking or feeling, Mr Kitty Psychic, you can
alter her behavior utilizing various psychological conditioning techniques.

Example: desensitization. Feed her outside where she's comfortable.
Gradually move the food closer and closer to where she isn't comfortable.
Slow enough to avoid setbacks, which will, uh, set you back. So, go real
slow.

Example: classical conditioning. She associates inside with something
unpleasant. Make inside more rewarding, to change the association. Really
good food...whatever she REALLY loves...inside. Regular dry cat food
outside.

Example: operant conditioning. Lure her with a piece of smelly tuna, or
whatever, to approach just a little closer to inside, give her the treat. A
little closer, treat. The closer she gets, the more the treats. Going to a
scary place gets a treat. Not going, no treat. All within her control.

How do you make a cat go WOOF?

Can of lighter fluid and a match.

I'm sorry, Meesha, I really do love cats.

With garlic butter sauce and a nice Chianti.

Aw, damn, I did it again. Sorry, again, Meesha.

David

Lee Michaels said:

Here is the latest in our cat - dog adventures here at the Michaels
homestead.

Snookie, overpriced showdog has finally found a new home. One of her owners
died of heart failure a week ago and the other owner was generally
heartbroken and did not want to take her back because it was too painful for
him.

Thankfully we found somebody at Dawn's work who loves these little dogs and
has one at home already who is getting old. And the opportunity to pick up
a young dog with papers (for free) and a pedigree greatly influenced the
decision.

Now, the problem. As I stated before, our cat Meesha, became terrified of
little Snookie. Which is odd, because she is at least twice as big as him.
And kicks ass all over the neighborhood. She is not afraid of german
shepards. But this little chihauhau just terrified her.

She would not come in the house and we had to feed her outside. We got her
to come in the house a total of four times in the last month. Each time she
slept on the bed behind a closed door. And we had to hand carry her to the
bedroom too. She ate inside tonight, but wanted back out immediately.

I am sure that she does not trust us because we brought this little terror
into her house. But we would like to have her back. She responds with great
affection when we are outside. But she still thinks that the little dog is
here and is going to do something terrible to her.

So, the question, what can we do to restore our cat's trust and get her back
into the house and her usual routine?

We do not feel that we should rush it in any way or force her to stay in. If
she wants out, we will let her out.

We also feel, however this sorts out, it will take some time. So patience
is a part of the equation.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

Systematic desensitization is a good idea. Open cans of tuna may also
be of assistance.

David Cohen said:

Regardless of what Meesha is thinking or feeling, Mr Kitty Psychic, you can
alter her behavior utilizing various psychological conditioning techniques.

Example: desensitization. Feed her outside where she's comfortable.
Gradually move the food closer and closer to where she isn't comfortable.
Slow enough to avoid setbacks, which will, uh, set you back. So, go real
slow.

Example: classical conditioning. She associates inside with something
unpleasant. Make inside more rewarding, to change the association. Really
good food...whatever she REALLY loves...inside. Regular dry cat food
outside.

Example: operant conditioning. Lure her with a piece of smelly tuna, or
whatever, to approach just a little closer to inside, give her the treat. A
little closer, treat. The closer she gets, the more the treats. Going to a
scary place gets a treat. Not going, no treat. All within her control.

Implosion therapy: Pitch her in a closet with a chihuahua and close
the door.

Lee Michaels said:

We also feel, however this sorts out, it will take some time. So patience
is a part of the equation.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

Wait patiently. Once the smell of the mutt is gone, she'll return.

"David Cohen" wrote

Quoted message said:

"Lee Michaels" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Here is the latest in our cat - dog adventures here at the Michaels
homestead.

Snookie, overpriced showdog has finally found a new home. One of her
owners died of heart failure a week ago and the other owner was generally
heartbroken and did not want to take her back because it was too painful
for him.

I don't like him. Dog's better off somewhere else anyway.

He is a nice guy. But he did not really take care of the dog that well. She
did not get her shots and was being fed lousy food. Just upgrading her dog
food to what we usually feed our lhasa apso made her gain some weight. She
just went crazy over the new food. Somuch so, that she actually played with
it. Her new momma feeds here present dog the same food we were feeding
here. So no transition is necessary.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Thankfully we found somebody at Dawn's work who loves these little dogs
and has one at home already who is getting old. And the opportunity to
pick up a young dog with papers (for free) and a pedigree greatly
influenced the decision.

Eewwee. I don't think I like him/her, either. I'm in a very people-hating
mood.

Well, she is an abrasive, know it all [censored]. But she does love this type of
dog and takes good care of the one she has now. They are a good match. She
likes to dote over her dog(s). Which probably compensates for her lack of
personal/people skills.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Now, the problem. As I stated before, our cat Meesha, became terrified
of little Snookie. Which is odd, because she is at least twice as big as
him. And kicks ass all over the neighborhood. She is not afraid of
german shepards. But this little chihauhau just terrified her.

Ya' know the stereotype about the elephant fearing the mouse. Or most
people and little tiny bugs.

That is true. But what struck me about this is was even though we did
everything in our power to avoid any confrontation between these two,
snookie could go after her in flash and they would be both out the door and
back in a dark corner in the yard in about half a second. They were both
very fast.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

She would not come in the house and we had to feed her outside. We got
her to come in the house a total of four times in the last month. Each
time she slept on the bed behind a closed door. And we had to hand carry
her to the bedroom too. She ate inside tonight, but wanted back out
immediately.

Was that a real stinky Chihuahua, or what?

No, nothing like that. But Meesha would get very nervous and tense when we
carried her through the house. And she would look for the dog.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am sure that she does not trust us because we brought this little
terror into her house.

Don't anthropomorphize. You don't know what the cat is thinking, or
feeling. You just know how she's behaving.

Quoted message said:

But we would like to have her back. She responds with great affection
when we are outside. But she still thinks that the little dog is here
and is going to do something terrible to her.

Kitty psychic, huh?

I don't wanna brag, but, yes, I am psychic.

Not a kitty psychic, but, never mind....... 😉

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

So, the question, what can we do to restore our cat's trust

Anthropomorphizing.

Quoted message said:

and get her back into the house and her usual routine?

We do not feel that we should rush it in any way or force her to stay in.
If she wants out, we will let her out.

That's good.

Quoted message said:

We also feel, however this sorts out, it will take some time. So
patience is a part of the equation.

Sure.

Quoted message said:

Any other ideas or suggestions?

Regardless of what Meesha is thinking or feeling, Mr Kitty Psychic, you
can alter her behavior utilizing various psychological conditioning
techniques.

Example: desensitization. Feed her outside where she's comfortable.
Gradually move the food closer and closer to where she isn't comfortable.
Slow enough to avoid setbacks, which will, uh, set you back. So, go real
slow.

Example: classical conditioning. She associates inside with something
unpleasant. Make inside more rewarding, to change the association. Really
good food...whatever she REALLY loves...inside. Regular dry cat food
outside.

She does have her particular preferences. And lets us know what they are.
There is some old dry cat food that she detests. And a newer, better one
that she loves. We could put the lousy stuff outside and the good stuff
inside. I am sure she would figure that out pretty quickly.

Quoted message said:

Example: operant conditioning. Lure her with a piece of smelly tuna, or
whatever, to approach just a little closer to inside, give her the treat.
A little closer, treat. The closer she gets, the more the treats. Going to
a scary place gets a treat. Not going, no treat. All within her control.

How do you make a cat go WOOF?

Can of lighter fluid and a match.

I'm sorry, Meesha, I really do love cats.

With garlic butter sauce and a nice Chianti.

Aw, damn, I did it again. Sorry, again, Meesha.

I read this post to Meesha. She hates you and wishes to claw your face off.

"Lee Michaels" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I read this post to Meesha. She hates you and wishes to claw your face
off.

Good news, Lee - in case you were thinking of changing careers (you know
from woodworking) - the US military has recently lowered physical and
intellectual requirements - (apparently in an attempt to address falling
recruitment rates) - so maybe the army is your thing. (Uncle Sam needs you!)

Lee Michaels said:

That is true. But what struck me about this is was even though we did
everything in our power to avoid any confrontation between these two,

That's the big mistake. In these cases you need to let them "duke it
out" and settle their differences. By seperating them, it continues as
an ongoing dispute.

"TheBillRodgers" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Lee Michaels said:

We also feel, however this sorts out, it will take some time. So patience
is a part of the equation.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

Wait patiently. Once the smell of the mutt is gone, she'll return.

About your birthday Bill (when you turn 12) - will you be having a party?
(I always have mine at McDonalds - Ronald the clown is a blast, right?)

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 18:40:17 +1000, "David" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

About your birthday Bill (when you turn 12) - will you be having a party?
(I always have mine at McDonalds - Ronald the clown is a blast, right?)

But the last time when you had your 11th B'day there, didn't Ronald
"touch you" while you sat on his lap? That would explain your mental
illness.

"TheBillRodgers" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 18:40:17 +1000, "David" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

About your birthday Bill (when you turn 12) - will you be having a party?
(I always have mine at McDonalds - Ronald the clown is a blast, right?)

But the last time when you had your 11th B'day there, didn't Ronald
"touch you" while you sat on his lap? That would explain your mental
illness.

Touch me?? No way!! He actually took me to the toilet and porked me! (mind
you I *didn't* enjoy it one bit!)

Lee Michaels said:

Here is the latest in our cat - dog adventures here at the Michaels
homestead.

Snookie, overpriced showdog has finally found a new home. One of her owners
died of heart failure a week ago and the other owner was generally
heartbroken and did not want to take her back because it was too painful for
him.

Thankfully we found somebody at Dawn's work who loves these little dogs and
has one at home already who is getting old. And the opportunity to pick up
a young dog with papers (for free) and a pedigree greatly influenced the
decision.

Now, the problem. As I stated before, our cat Meesha, became terrified of
little Snookie. Which is odd, because she is at least twice as big as him.
And kicks ass all over the neighborhood. She is not afraid of german
shepards. But this little chihauhau just terrified her.

She would not come in the house and we had to feed her outside. We got her
to come in the house a total of four times in the last month. Each time she
slept on the bed behind a closed door. And we had to hand carry her to the
bedroom too. She ate inside tonight, but wanted back out immediately.

I am sure that she does not trust us because we brought this little terror
into her house. But we would like to have her back. She responds with great
affection when we are outside. But she still thinks that the little dog is
here and is going to do something terrible to her.

So, the question, what can we do to restore our cat's trust and get her back
into the house and her usual routine?

We do not feel that we should rush it in any way or force her to stay in. If
she wants out, we will let her out.

We also feel, however this sorts out, it will take some time. So patience
is a part of the equation.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

Cat door?

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 05:25:38 GMT, "David Cohen"
<[email hidden]> wrote in misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

"Lee Michaels" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Now, the problem. As I stated before, our cat Meesha, became terrified of
little Snookie. Which is odd, because she is at least twice as big as
him. And kicks ass all over the neighborhood. She is not afraid of german
shepards. But this little chihauhau just terrified her.

Ya' know the stereotype about the elephant fearing the mouse. Or most people
and little tiny bugs.

Is there anyone or anything that CAN stand a little yippy dog?

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 18:49:39 +1000, "David" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Touch me?? No way!! He actually took me to the toilet and porked me! (mind
you I *didn't* enjoy it one bit!)

Well that was AFTER the touching thing. But like he said at the trial,
"you asked for it".

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 12:15:52 GMT, "David Cohen"
<[email hidden]> wrote in misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

"John Hanson" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

"David Cohen" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

"Lee Michaels" <[email hidden]> wrote
> Now, the problem. As I stated before, our cat Meesha, became terrified
> of
> little Snookie. Which is odd, because she is at least twice as big as
> him. And kicks ass all over the neighborhood. She is not afraid of
> german
> shepards. But this little chihauhau just terrified her.

Ya' know the stereotype about the elephant fearing the mouse. Or most
people
and little tiny bugs.

Is there anyone or anything that CAN stand a little yippy dog?

So...you and Lee's [censored] have something in common.

Hehe. There really is no reason for a little yippy dog. They can't
retrieve worth a [censored] and their yippy little yaps bother my ears.

"John Hanson" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

"David Cohen" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

"John Hanson" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

"David Cohen" <[email hidden]> wrote
>"Lee Michaels" <[email hidden]> wrote
>> Now, the problem. As I stated before, our cat Meesha, became
>> terrified
>> of
>> little Snookie. Which is odd, because she is at least twice as big as
>> him. And kicks ass all over the neighborhood. She is not afraid of
>> german
>> shepards. But this little chihauhau just terrified her.
>
>Ya' know the stereotype about the elephant fearing the mouse. Or most
>people
>and little tiny bugs.
>
Is there anyone or anything that CAN stand a little yippy dog?

So...you and Lee's [censored] have something in common.

Hehe. There really is no reason for a little yippy dog. They can't
retrieve worth a [censored] and their yippy little yaps bother my ears.

I don't necessarily disagree, as I tend to like big dogs, too, but, "yippy"
and "little" are not synonymous. Some of the really great dogs are little:
Pug, Dachshund, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, for example.

David

John Hanson said:

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 12:15:52 GMT, "David Cohen"
<[email hidden]> wrote in misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

"John Hanson" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

"David Cohen" <[email hidden]> wrote
> "Lee Michaels" <[email hidden]> wrote
>> Now, the problem. As I stated before, our cat Meesha, became
>> terrified of
>> little Snookie. Which is odd, because she is at least twice as
>> big as him. And kicks ass all over the neighborhood. She is not
>> afraid of german
>> shepards. But this little chihauhau just terrified her.
>
> Ya' know the stereotype about the elephant fearing the mouse. Or
> most people
> and little tiny bugs.
>
Is there anyone or anything that CAN stand a little yippy dog?

So...you and Lee's [censored] have something in common.

Hehe. There really is no reason for a little yippy dog. They can't
retrieve worth a [censored] and their yippy little yaps bother my ears.

God made these yappy dogs small enough to fit in a microwave for a reason.
Five minutes on defrost and the yapping stops.
--
-Larry

"The troll hasn't been born who can troll us worse than we troll
ourselves." Hugh Beyer

"John Hanson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 12:15:52 GMT, "David Cohen"
<[email hidden]> wrote in misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

"John Hanson" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

"David Cohen" <[email hidden]> wrote
>"Lee Michaels" <[email hidden]> wrote
>> Now, the problem. As I stated before, our cat Meesha, became
>> terrified
>> of
>> little Snookie. Which is odd, because she is at least twice as big as
>> him. And kicks ass all over the neighborhood. She is not afraid of
>> german
>> shepards. But this little chihauhau just terrified her.
>
>Ya' know the stereotype about the elephant fearing the mouse. Or most
>people
>and little tiny bugs.
>
Is there anyone or anything that CAN stand a little yippy dog?

So...you and Lee's [censored] have something in common.

Hehe. There really is no reason for a little yippy dog. They can't
retrieve worth a [censored] and their yippy little yaps bother my ears.

This little yapper has no redeeming qualities - not even cute. (They say
that dogs eventually adopt the characheristics of their owner).

David said:

John Hanson said:

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 12:15:52 GMT, "David Cohen"
<[email hidden]> wrote in misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

"John Hanson" <[email hidden]> wrote
> "David Cohen" <[email hidden]> wrote
>>"Lee Michaels" <[email hidden]> wrote
>>> Now, the problem. As I stated before, our cat Meesha, became
>>> terrified
>>> of
>>> little Snookie. Which is odd, because she is at least twice as big as
>>> him. And kicks ass all over the neighborhood. She is not afraid of
>>> german
>>> shepards. But this little chihauhau just terrified her.
>>
>>Ya' know the stereotype about the elephant fearing the mouse. Or most
>>people
>>and little tiny bugs.
>>
> Is there anyone or anything that CAN stand a little yippy dog?

So...you and Lee's [censored] have something in common.

Hehe. There really is no reason for a little yippy dog. They can't
retrieve worth a [censored] and their yippy little yaps bother my ears.

This little yapper has no redeeming qualities - not even cute. (They say
that dogs eventually adopt the characheristics of their owner).

Does your dog whine a lot?

"JMW" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

David said:

John Hanson said:

"David Cohen" <[email hidden]> wrote
>"John Hanson" <[email hidden]> wrote
>> "David Cohen" <[email hidden]> wrote
>>>"Lee Michaels" <[email hidden]> wrote
>>>> Now, the problem. As I stated before, our cat Meesha, became
>>>> terrified
>>>> of
>>>> little Snookie. Which is odd, because she is at least twice as big
>>>> as
>>>> him. And kicks ass all over the neighborhood. She is not afraid of
>>>> german
>>>> shepards. But this little chihauhau just terrified her.
>>>
>>>Ya' know the stereotype about the elephant fearing the mouse. Or most
>>>people
>>>and little tiny bugs.
>>>
>> Is there anyone or anything that CAN stand a little yippy dog?
>
>So...you and Lee's [censored] have something in common.
>
Hehe. There really is no reason for a little yippy dog. They can't
retrieve worth a [censored] and their yippy little yaps bother my ears.

This little yapper has no redeeming qualities - not even cute. (They say
that dogs eventually adopt the characheristics of their owner).

Does your dog whine a lot?

I wonder if anyone has ever done a study of regonal dialects and accents in
dogs. Do Australian dogs of a given breed bark, or whine, differently than
the same breed from somewhere else? I've never read of such a study. Might
be interesting.

David