cate

SimonM Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > This whole business (sic) of litter trays and > sacks of cat litter at the supermarket is a > relatively modern phenomenon anyway, and doubtless > a tribute to the marketing skills of the pet > products companies...Originally they were > introduced for people whose cats had no access > outside, but it's clear the insidious propaganda > has worked its spell over the past couple of > decades...B) Yes, and down with hygiene too. Hope all your neighbouring cats use your garden as a toilet.

pommie Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Cate > > I am not forcing my cat to go outside to go to the > toilet, they do that naturally and they actually > enjoy going out in the garden. I will not allow > my child to go out and play with the dirt/mud in > my garden for a start and when i do have visitors > who are children they are very well behaved and do > not think its a goo didea to sit and put their > hands in the dirt. Also I tell them not to and > they are very clued up and know not to. > > As i said before, my cats go out in the garden > when they want to and to be honest they are out > most of the time as I have a cat flap and they > come and go as they like. > > I didnt say that i stood over them whilst they > went to the toilet but when I am outside in the > garden then i do notice them doing it in my > garden. > > I didnt say that because I fostered cats that I > knew everything about cats and i agree with you > that with age often comes widsom and i dont agree > that people should tell other people how to look > after their animals. > > For your information my cats cannot get to any > vehicles so there is no risk of them getting run > over. > > Anyway this topic is about foxes so maybe it > should be kept at that. If you don't have litter trays then they have to go outside. If you have litter trays and they are dirty they mot cats will also go outside. You say you don't let your child or any other children go in your garden and put their hands in the mud or dirt. What a shame! Digging and playing around in earth is a great pleasure for child as I am sure you would know. It sounds like your garden is strictly for the use of the cats. Shame you have to tell your child and visiting children not to use the garden because your cats use it as a toilet. Your cats go out in the garden to play obviously, and also because they have no choice about where to toilet. I didn't say that you stood over your cats while they went to the toilet. You said your cats used your garden 95% of the time. How would you know that? You said that your cats can't get to any vehicles - how does that work? You said that you have other cats coming in your garden. Therefore that means that your cats can get out of your garden. Cats roam far and wide as I am sure you know. The only way your cats couldn't get near any vehicles would be if you had them in some sort of cage. What was your reason for saying that you fostered cats then? And to bring this subject back to foxes - they have come in through my cat flap, chewed things up and left deposits on my floor. They can be extremely bold animals.

pommie Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > also are you telling me that if you put a litter > tray in your house (that has access to a garden) > that your cat will always come in and use the > litter tray rather than go outside? Yes, he does. He loves his litter tray. He likes being in the warm and doesn't like getting his feet cold or wet.

DeptfordDiva Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I think that the majority of cat owners whose cats > have access to a garden do NOT have a litter tray > - why would they? I have 9 cats and they all go > out, however i have one litter tray in the house > and only 2 of my cats use it - the rest go > outside. One litter tray between 9 cats is not enough! No wonder the others all go outside.

You can always ask for it back...........did you publish it yourself? If you didn't then the publishing company should send them one.

David, you need to send them/take in one of the books. They are in Marylebone High Street. A radio/TV programme would expect a review copy to be given to them. That way if they interview you you are getting publicity. They probably thought it a bit odd that you only referred them to the website. BBC Local Radio has very low budgets and they would be inundated with people hoping to publicise their books.

Kingsbury David, did you contact the Robert Elms programme on BBC London?

Pommie, Yes I own a cat, and in the past have had more than one cat. They are a big responsibility. By not having litter trays indoors you are forcing your cats to go outside in all weathers. How do you stop your small child from getting cat poo on their hands in your garden? And if you children as visitors, I doubt very much that you stand over them and watch their every move in your garden? My point about people in flats having to have litter trays was in response to your claim that you couldn't have a litter tray indoors because you had a small child. What kind of reason is that? You say you have a cat that likes sitting out in the rain. But you have 4 other cats, do they like to do the same? Cats like to toilet in private; they do not like being watched. That is why making giving them a litter tray with a cover is a good idea. Just because you have fostered cats doesn't mean you know everything there is to know about them. With age often comes wisdom. I agree a bit with snorky about cats being pets lite. A lot of people get a cat because they think they can leave them alone all day and shut them out at night if they don't have a cat flap. They shouldn't be allowed out at night as I have said before, they are more likely to get injured by a vehicle.

Pommie, What if you had visitors, children or adults to your house and they went in your garden. Would you expect them to put gloves on? I don't think so. How do you know your cats use your garden 99% of the time? Do you watch them all day? Not if you have a small child. Those gadgets that you mention do not work as I know people who have tried them. I would expect everyone who has a cat to have a litter tray, but that often isn't the way unfortunately. So you expect your cats to go out in the pouring rain and use your garden? How cruel. Many people have small children in the house and have a litter tray. What a bizarre reason for not having a litter tray. What about people who live in flats and who have cats that don't go out at all. You would need more than 1 litter tray in your house if you have 5 cats. I am guessing that you just can't be bothered to clean them out or teach your child not to touch them. You could always get the kind with hoods and flap doors. Or build a shelter just outside the back door with litter trays in it.

I saw some Herta ones at the Co-op in Forest Hill Road. Also think Sainsbury's do similar. You want beef ones if possible. Don't forget the French's mustard - available from Sainsburys.

Believe the last night was the 19th December, which is when I went. Very disappointed by food and service, so won't miss it at all. Was totally ignored after the mains were brought, even after asking for the menu again so could order coffee or something else. And this was at the beginning of the evening. Not how I would like to remember the place. Shame.

I think it is luck of the draw. I have had some very happy experiences there recently and then some not very happy ones. A lot of staff go the extra mile, some don't. In fact, that reminds me, I have a thank you letter to write to one department!

Pommie, your statement is rather simplistic and my point is that if you have a litter tray then you hopefully won't have to get rid of car poo in your garden. Then your cat poo won't be bothering anyone else, whether in your garden or in their garden. Equally not everyone who goes into a garden knows they are pregnant. You could do a bit of quick weeding and come into contact with some cat poo. You could be in someone else's garden and not know there is cat poo in there. I know a woman who had a disabled child due to toxoplasmosis. Her child is blind and suffers from learning difficulties. I would advise anyone thinking of pregnancy to be tested for immunity to toxopasmosis before conceiving. Even though I love cats, I still don't agree with people who think it is OK to let their cats poo everywhere due to them not having a litter tray. A cat won't use a litter tray if it is very dirty so it would be a bit of an effort to keep one clean, especially if you have five cats. Someone's cat used to come into the garden of where I used to live and regularly deposit a load of the 'runs' on nearly a daily basis. If their cat had been using a litter tray then they would have seen that something was wrong and taken the cat to the vet. I found out one of my cat's had a urinary infection by watching him use his litter tray and he was in pain. Took him to the vet's and he had crystals in his urine. Having pets equals being responsible.

Coney Islands originated in Cincinnati, Ohio as there is a Coney Island there. They spread round the Midwest, with a lot of Coney Island diner in Detroit, run by Greek immigrant. Try to find all beef hotdogs, especially the Hebrew National Ones. The Chicago area has a lot of good hotdog places, and a good chain called Portillos.

Re Dogs on Toast - try hotdog buns, keep them in the freezer and defrost when wanted, add the hotdogs and heat up a can of ready made chili (unless you have your own home-made) top the hotdog with it, and then add, preferably, chopped raw onions (or fried) and French's American mustard, available from Sainsburys. This is called a chili dog generally, although sometimes a Coney Island. Grilled cheese sandwich - butter entire outside of sliced bread, inside bread place strong cheddar, sliced, and add fillings of your choice, if wanted, including, sliced tomato, sliced onion, and salt and pepper. Cook on each buttered side in non-stick pan for approximately 2 minutes at medium high heat. Keep flipping over to check brownness. They should be golden to light brown. I also recommend Branston Hot Chili and Jalepeno Relish in a squeezy bottle. Goes well with cheese. Prawns - buy pack of pink one from Sainsburys, heat olive oil in pan, add garlic, then prawns, toss until heated through, then squeeze over some lemon juice.

Yes Pommie, but not everyone wears gloves when in a/their garden................

SimonM, I do not understand your post. So you like having cat poo in your garden? And do you think your neighbours like having your cat's poo in their garden? Cat poo carries toxoplasmosis which can transfer to a foetus and cause abnormalities such as blindness and learning difficulties.

I had one cat who didn't use a litter tray after about 4 months of age. However, when I started keeping him in at night then I got one. Now he comes back in to use it in preference to going outside. A cat who is older, perhaps deaf or with vision problems is more likely to get picked off by a fox. I think it would be very cruel to keep a cat in at night and then not give them access to a litter tray! How would you like to be told that there was no loo to be used in the middle of the night?

Minder, I didn't mean that a cat would definitely be picked off by a fox. I have had many cats which have never been disturbed by foxes. However, it is safer to keep cats in at night as that is when they roam and go hunting and are far more likely to get hit by a vehicle. I do know people whose cats have been killed by foxes.

SteveT Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I read somwhere that foxes are stalking cats, so > it is not surprising kitties go missing in se22. Everyone should keep their cats in at night. They are more likely to get hit by a car then, or as it seems now, a fox. Lock up your cat flaps and don't pay any attention to the cat if they make a fuss. Oh, and you'll have to get a litter tray too..........

Kingsbury David, are you sending your book to Robert Elms on BBC London? He would love it. He had someone on talking about old signage on buildings a few months back.

And the people who don't like Lucas Bakery's products.

Sounds like a new series of Grumpy (Old) People. How much are you paying for interviews. Nothing I bet.

Keef Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > *Bob* Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Or - to put it another way, between Shayne Ward > > Who?? > > I think he won x-factor or pop stars a few years > ago. > > Under rated, Crash Test Dummies. Everyone just > knows Mmm mmm mmm mmm, but they had some > brilliant, and very funny songs. I agree with Crash Test Dummies. I think American Music Club is very under rated and Aimee Mann too.

No first mate, thankfully I didn't hear about the puppy ear portions. It now seems to be common for puppy litters to be stolen when they are advertised in the press. London Tonight has been running features on dangerous dogs this past week.