On a -completely- different note

my cat is Unclear On The Concept.

that is: say he wants to play. "play" means, when it doesn't mean "attack my leg and fasten on with teeth and claws and kick like a very painful bunny," some variant on "chase the flying mousie."

When he was a kitten, he actually used to fetch. it was a delight. I'd throw the mousie: he'd bring it back! Throw it: he'd bring it back! Sometimes he'd bring it right to me all on his ownsome! It was adorable. and: CONVENIENT.

Now? Well: I throw the mousie. He runs after it. Assuming he's far enough from it to begin with.

Then he runs back to me. Without the mousie. And looks at me, expectantly, with that little half-mad gleam.

Guess who's fetching now?

Oddly enough, the dogs I grew up with evinced the same pattern, except for the one (bless his fuzzy heart) who never quite got the subtle nuances of "sock" in the first place...

p.s. I have a new printer/scanner/thingie as well as a brand! new! digital camera! being a luddite and a chicken, i've yet to unpack them, much less try 'em out. but when i do: eventually, stay tuned, finally, for pics of Wee Beastie.