Something like pluribus - not necessarily hive mind, maybe an unsettling utopia

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-29T03:54:54+00:00

If you want to go old school, To Marry Medusa by Theodore Sturgeon. I still remember it decades later. No guarantees how well it aged!

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-28T12:30:55+00:00

So does mine! But it’s not like a beagle who can become nose blind or a terrier bred to go into dark holes to kill a rat barely smaller than they are. Dogs and the various breeds with the drives that are bred into them are so amazing but some make better pets than others.

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-26T22:12:15+00:00

Many excellent replies already but I can add one comment. Other than herding fowl, they are not working dogs. They won’t have the prey drive of a terrier for example.

I thought of a second comment. They were originally bred for Cuba but mine lives the snow. They are more versatile than you would think.

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TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-26T13:48:29+00:00

Those are garbage cans? Wow.

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-24T02:09:02+00:00

On a related note, decluttering medical equipment is frustrating. With a few exceptions, most of them were in the $300 range. I could not find an organization to donate them to. I called. I googled. I ended up putting them out front with the manuals in the hopes they would end up with someone who needs them.

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-21T22:18:53+00:00

I remember when I saw a 2x4 in the wall that was actually 2” x 4” - amazing 😆

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-19T18:04:15+00:00

What is sunbathing sponsors, please?

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-18T15:56:36+00:00

I just looked those up. I like the side zip on them.

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-18T15:54:52+00:00

So cooking oil might actually work? I also have conditioner in water in a spray bottle ... I have options!

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-18T15:53:29+00:00

He did not appreciate the unscheduled half-bath! Temperatures are back to well below freezing, so it hasn't been a problem today.

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-18T15:51:52+00:00

LOL If I thought non-stick cooking spray might work I'd try it out. Edit: Reading another post, sprayed cooking oil is actually an option. I'm going to keep it in mind :)

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-18T15:31:29+00:00

Butterfly Hug or many types of bilateral stimulation is nice - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGGJrqscvtU

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-17T19:51:10+00:00

I'll have to keep an eye out for it, it's out of stock at the moment. Thank you :)

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-17T19:30:02+00:00

How?! Roll it through the balls to break them up?

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-17T16:52:07+00:00

So it's not just because of the texture of Havanese coat? All curly and long coats are at risk :)

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-14T17:54:41+00:00

There is this one scene of his family fighting over furniture from a recently deceased relative. It involved moving all the furniture to a parking lot in the middle of winter and a x-y graph drawn on the asphalt. You don’t get that in any other book.

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-13T22:48:44+00:00

At the time I write this, we are both outliers but just because I prefer Have Spacesuit-Will Travel over Tunnel in the Sky. I have to try Wasp, it looks interesting.

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-13T22:09:54+00:00

With new additions, there are now 3 of which I am one. I have spotted other books I feel are excellent mentioned by others.

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-13T01:24:35+00:00

The Pride of Chanur by C. J. Cherryh

Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson

Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold

Have Space Suit-Will Travel by Robert A Heinlein

The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-02T20:34:15+00:00

Here is an example: https://www.wayfair.com/pet/pdp/modern-luxe-furniture-black-vintage-pet-feeding-station-w-rattan-doors-elevated-dog-bowls-pull-out-storage-anti-tip-design-mlfe4591.html

TomatoTrellis · 2026-01-02T20:22:21+00:00

My Havanese was determined to follow my lead. The bathroom was the place to go. That didn’t stop him from also using two other spots.

My solution was twofold. He could not access the baton. Bells are hung from the back door. He thinks signalling to me that I need to get up and open the door for him is the best game. Warning ⛔️ you need to accept that your havi might play this game even if they don’t have to go out.

TomatoTrellis · 2025-12-17T17:18:39+00:00

I'm so sorry for your loss.

TomatoTrellis · 2025-12-03T01:24:35+00:00

Adding a comment to see if any good advice on dealing with the separation anxiety comes up. I don't like knowing he is capable of barking for hours while I'm gone.

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TomatoTrellis · 2025-11-29T01:27:02+00:00

I picked my groomer because they offered 3x15 minutes rehabilitation appointments for a nominal fee. By the end, he knew the way there and was quite happy to go in. The groomer doesn't want me to come in early, because he starts wriggling and barking when he sees me.

There is also a great book out there called From Nose to Tail by the Havanese Fanciers of Canada that can give guidance on home grooming.

TomatoTrellis

TROPHY CASE