my spouse and i raise west highland white terriers ("westies"). she works countless, unpaid hours in purebred dog rescue. this past april, martha - my bride of 34+ years - was given the "humanitarian of the year" award by the dumb friends league, one of the most successful and well-funded animal adoption programs in the usa, for having led to the placement of several hundred abandoned dogs of many breeds, while simultaneously serving on numerous governmental boards and legislative committees in colorado. (can you tell i'm mighty proud?) anyway, we're down to 2 westies now: eleanor rigby and bonshaw's brae lad. our others, recently departed, were named kirsty and babbs. together, our 4 westies were of 4 vertical generations. i'm now engaged in friendly persuasion that, i hope, will result in our to travelling again to scotland to acquire a champion bitch to start a new line of "bonshaw's westies." none of our canines could much stomach my audio system, tho all learned to snuggle next to me, quite close, ears covered by paws, to avoid the more strident tones coming forth. -kelly |
Right on DeKay! Richard is a fine name.
I had a cat named Richard when I was a teen, named for actor Richard Burton. (The kitty was dark and handsome and was given away by folks whose surname was Welsh). His full brother was named Albert (for Albert Finney, Albert was charming but always over-reacted.). Then there was Fred (short for Frederic Chopin, a kitty that liked to sit on the piano bench and plunk individual keys with one paw)... Deidre, who was sweet and dreamy...Michael J. Katt (named for the person who gave him to us)...Amneris (she was exotic looking)...and of course Bachus & Ariadne (these two kittens were dumped at the farm one Saturday afternoon and guess what the Met broadcast was?)
Dogs: Peabody (yellow lab), Audrey (miniature pinscher), Mozart (mixed breed) Pixie (Australian shepherd) and on and on. You should see the names we give our horses!
Alas none of the above are still with us...pet lives are relatively short. But the next one will be carefully named according to his/her personality and physical attributes. All our critters have been "characters" with strong personalities. And none of them really bothered the gear (We "trained" the cats as well as our dogs. Our four legged family was taught to mind their manners in the house.) It was a near thing with the labrador, however, as lab pups LOVE to chew. And Mike the cat thought he wanted to gnaw on power cords - a little hot pepper sauce changed his mind.
Nilthepill, buy those darling girls a furry friend. |
Our five living cats are named: Darryll Cooper, Elliott Ross, Martin Keil-Ross, Eddie Haskell (the neighbor's cat whom we adopted when he moved to NYC, the neighbor that is, as he, Eddie, lived at our place anyway and always had the manners to compliment my wife on her house dress before entering our home on a daily basis to devour every scrap of food in sight) & Shipton (short for Rocket-Ship the Prozac Cat) Ross-Keil. My first cat (no longer with us) was named Pete Keil (after a friend of mine, also deceased) and one of my wife's first was named Todd (AKA Puffy Todd before the days of Rap). Richard is a great name for a cat and it may very well be a "next" in our household (hey, after he's neutered we can call him "Little Dick". Why do people give cats stupid cat names, when they have such distinct personalities. |
I thought that I had heard all the names for pets... but Richard takes the prize... there MUST be a story behind that name |
Our labrador retriever makes a great sound absorber. :-)
Nilthepill...let me just agree with Paul. Stereos and pets can co-exist. Pets are wonderful for children...or anybody else. We consider ours members of the family, and they constantly amuse us and enrich our lives. They do take looking after, of course, and training. It's an excellent way for young people to learn caring and responsibility. My 10 year old daughter loves her cat (Richard) and tells him all her troubles (main trouble in her life - I haven't bought her a horse yet!)
I've read the cat stories with amusement. We've always had neutered male/spayed female kitties and never had any problems. We trained (conditioned?) the cats to not jump on counters, not claw furniture/curtains/in the house and to leave my stereo gear alone. It helps to select a people oriented, friendly kitty, but water spray-bottles and a loud, firm "NO" work wonders. Since we live in the country, Richard even goes outside to do his litterbox chores.
The dogs seem to enjoy the stereo system, though they usually end up asleep between the Maggies. The cat hates rock, but sits on my slap and purrs for classical and acoustic jazz. |
We have that rice paper wallpaper (like bamboo) on the walls of our listening room. Our cat, Koko, used to sharpen her claws on the wall paper. I repaired the wallpaper and put plexiglass on the walls up to 4 feet. It was amazing what it did to the sound in the room. Well, she died this past January after a long, wonderful 16 years and we got a kitten in February. We left the plexiglass up and we use a water spray bottle to train him - for everything. It really works on animals that don't like water. (I don't imagine that it would work on say a lab- they'll do anything to get wet!) He doesn't touch any of the furniture, even the corners that are worn from KoKo after a couple sprays and a sharp NO! (consistency is key) Some may want to try this after you get some enzyme eating cleaner to remove the urine odor. They will continue to come back and mark if they still smell it. You can get it at any pet store.
Bwyoung, I liked the bicycle tube idea. If he ever starts on the wiring, that will be first choice. |
Long, long ago, on a lake far, far away...I was on my friend's 32 foot sailboat with a Jack Russell terrier, named "Mate," who always remained on watch at the bowsprit. Under full sail, he would occaisonally be blown off, and we got quite good and scooping him up to keep from having to turn around. (That is a pain in a boat with 3 sails.)
One night, while moored in a cove and getting in a good mood, we were enjoying Pink Floyd's "Animals" and the cut "Dogs" came on. Mate left the bowsprit at a full sprint and jumped through the forward port hole and hit his head on the galley's main beam and nearly knocked himself out. He was quite stunned. He was fine in no time, (in fact he snuck into our rations and ate an entire package of sausage while we rested.)
Best dog I ever had. I miss him.
Charlie |
Our latest episode (5 cats) involves attempted pee piping of the right speaker in the living room setup. We have a small place and though the speakers are on 28" stands the dining table is in fairly close proximity to the right speaker (the object of desire). I have gotten up a few mornings to find fluid trails running down the speaker stand starting about 5" below the height of the dining table. I figured, due to the windage and elevation factor, that the speaker was safe and the stand is easily cleaned up with an application of Simple Solution. Well, as time goes by the high water marks are getting higher and higher, either practice makes perfect or the little devils have learned to completely fill their bladders before target practice for that "Magnum Effect." In any case I ended up making a split on the side of a brown paper grocery bag and now place it over the speaker (as a sock or cozy) when we retire for the evening in the case of someone eventually achieving a bulls eye during the night (no big deal, if you own pets). This has worked fine and as of yet no one has scored, so it may be overkill. They also seem to have lost interest as of late. Anyway, last week I warmed up the system in the morning and started a new CD for my wife to listen to in the living room, while I meanwhile played around on the computer in the bedroom. My wife came in and told me that there was something wrong with the stereo. I went into the living room to see what was up and discovered that I had forgotten to un-bag the right speaker (the bag is not only form fitting, but is also the approximate color of the Beechwood cabinets of the speakers and she could not tell the difference without her glasses). I am considering having matching leather covers made to use on both of the speakers (for that Italian/Sonus Faber look) when they are not in use. |
Nilthepill. Don't deprive your kids of a pet. Dogs can be trained. (Cats can't, but maybe they can be conditioned.)
Our dog is very playful, likes to chew, and will mark anything he can outside of the house, but after he chewed on one of my headphones as a small puppy, I managed to convince him that he will lose his life if he touches any of my hi-fi stuff again. He hasn't bothered my speakers or cables, even loose cables just lying around when not in use. Dogs are like kids except kids figure out that you're not really going to kill them.
The only problem I have with Rocky is his insistence on joining in with his squeaky toys when I play music that he likes. |
Perfect post to defend my not getting a dog or cat for my 4 and 12 year daughters. Their first choice for a birthday gift is always a pet! My Dunlavy's V are the reasons for my reluctance. Thanks guys! |
YOU SAY SHE RAN OFF WITH A BEAR BEHIND? |
Wow. Lucky 'skippie' didn't electrocute himself. I understand those are very good calbes and it speaks well of HSL to repair them for you. We've had coyotes chasing neighbours' cats. One of the neighbours went out her door to hang clothes last summer and a black bear was happily eating her blackberries.....she said she could have spit at it....back in the house she ran and the bear was as surprised and ran away....cheers, Bluenose |
Chew on this one.Anyone heard of cats chewing on cables? My wife's cat chewed clear through my brand new Homegrown Audio Silver Lace interconnects. Yep. I don't know if it was the coating or the silver she was after, but I mean clear through! By the way, Homegrown treated me very well in servicing them. Now, the new pair are encased in bicycle tire innertubes. |
Thanks to all of you for these great stories. I enjoyed each and every one. We've got some budding writers here...cheers, Bluenose |
tireguy: you smokin' some of that 5-leaved weed that grows by the abandoned tracks of the rock island line? again? it was my understanding that YOU were called "tiny." which explained your short-lived career in the movie industry. ;~] -kelly |
I had just received a shipment of VTL monoblocs that I purchased through this site when I noticed a funny smell in the living room where I keep my equipment. I had the tops off the VTLs and was checking the bias of the tubes, but everytime I bent down over them I got a funny whiff of an offending odor. I checked the rug, an old oriental one, but it smelled fine. I checked my socks, but though they were offensive, it wasn't the same odor or degree. I bent over the VTLs and sniffed them thinking, "great, I just bought used amps that someone has taken a leak in." As a last resort I called my wife into the room. She came in and stood next to one of my B&W speakers and a large potted tree and started sniffing around. I walked up to her and it was then that the culprit was revealed. I couldn't say a word, all I could do was point into the tree's pot. There, sitting amoung the ferns, was a large piece of juicy cat scat. My wife screamed, and grabbed the pot to take it outside. Of our two cats the older, of course nicer one, had taken to relieving himself in our living room. My wife worked continuously for three months trying everything to right our twisted cat. My favorite trick she tried was putting aluminum foil over the whole living room. It really accentuated the snares. To no avail the cat continued. The vet was flabbergasted and had no further suggestions. The cat, which had been a model cat even by my standards, (the best cat is someone elses) had by this time stopped eating normally and was not playing with our other ferocious cat. My wife decided that her job description was not "cat feces cleaner" and had the Vet put fluffy to sleep. Unfortunately the cat came back!!! Not really. The vet had this $200 dollar deal where she would cremate the cat and put it in a snazzy cedar box and give you a nice picture frame with a comforting saying on it and a place for a picture of your beloved. My wife declined, but they screwed up and did it anyway so they gave us the ashes for free. My wife and I were so tickled we put the ashes and a picture of the cat on the fireplace directly over my audio components. Now I come home in the evenings from 12 to 16 hours of work, put a nice, relaxing jazz CD on, and kick back in my favorite EZ chair for relief, and stare at the ashes of our cat who also found relief in the same room. |
Bmpnyc- My wife and I had a German Shorthair. He used to spend evenings when I was working cuddled up w/my wife on the couch. Then we wanted a new Leather couch. He had long nails and my wife said "he stays off the couch". I said Good Luck. Well he got up on there one time, and my wife gave him the evil and a shout and he NEVER went up there again. This after 2 years of being allowed on all of the LR furniture. He did get a few hairs in the grill of my 2cis (don't anyone believe that short haired dogs don't shed) which it was hell to get out. Now he's been gone for a year (had to put him down at 13.5 yrs) and the other day I went looking on the grills to finally remove the last of the hairs; I actually was a little said that I couldn't find a hair. |
My pet elephant isn't allowed in the house so he doesn't mess with the system, his name is tiny:-) |
I have 3 taco-bell dogs (note my user name). About 10 months ago, the oldest one decided to pee all over my amp and shorted the darn thing. It was a final factor for me to upgrade. I thought about using the repellant spray, but that would totally messed up my gears. Now, I just close the door of my hifi room. Btw, I was also considering getting an amp that runs hot, but my wife thinks we might come home with 3 hot dogs (no pun intended) on the amp. |
I don't own a pet, so haven't even thought about the challenges the rest of you face. But the thought of Robedk's dog running around with a Levi jockstrap on just had me on the floor in stitches. |
Placing mouse traps around speakers and COVERING them with poster board will keep cats away. When the cat steps on the poster board and trips the mouse trap the noise scares the shit out of the cat with no harm done. After a few episodes, the cat won't step on paper of any kind (stimulus generalization). This works for furniture, counter tops and anywhere else felines are not welcome. I learned this AFTER my siamese shredded the grills on my Acoustat 2+2s by repeatedly climbing to the top (8 feet) and jumping off. |
Shortly after having my Vand. 3As upreaded to sigs., we got a part siamese kitten. I've had chickenwire around the 3As since (almost a year)-- that's right, chickenwire. It looks like hell, but does the job-- mids and highs ARE a little "wirey" though. And We've got tinfoil around 2Ces in the family room. But what to do? We like the cat. Cheers? Craig |
metal wire crates for the dogs........or the speakers
this works with little tikes (hell on dust caps and cones)as well
cats, procedure known as claws be gone....trip to the vet |
Great stories. I adopted two cats < 1 yr old from a friend moving out of town. Found an herbal spray product called "No-Scratch" (there's also a dog formula) and sprayed furniture, speaker grills, etc. Cats sometimes begin scratching new found, uncoated and recently coated things (I also provide the requisite yelling) , but after they revisit they don't go back. I re-apply only occasionally now. |
I found a 10 month old Doberman when I was 16 (named Patton,long story) and brought him home. He could find his way to anything and chew through it. So... my shoes, jackets, pillows, papers, anything, were all fair game. I had my guitar on a stand, and in my mind thought..."you can chew what you want, for now, as I would certainly begin training immediately, but if you so much as sniff that guitar, your out of here". Guess what, he must have had a go at almost everything I owned except...my guitar. They must be psychic. Funny, I could be in another room, and if I so much as thought about giving him a bath, he would try and sneak his way to the farthest reaches of my house. He also liked to "sing", I guess music runs in the family! |
My dog marks in a different way. He is a big great dane with enormous jowls. If I ever sell my speakers I'm sure I'll have a heck of a job removing the drool from the grilles (is that the right word? anyway, the removable thing that protects the front). anyway, he loves to sit right in front of the speakers for certain types of music, and sometimes actually has his mouth ON the speaker, hence the drool. he also shakes drool off his mouth the way most dogs shake off water, so there is drool everywhere in the room (on the ceiling even). hopefully it comes off...
i hope your b&w's aren't permanently damaged. bad smell can really affect one's experience of good listening |
