Anna the dog

[VocalNeal]

The Bonobo and the Atheist

Is this a TD thread I have missed?

[Bonecollector]

I have just almost finished the last of Franz de Waals 4 books on Chimps and other animals social complexity and purported emotional inner lives.

Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?
The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder Society
The Bonobo and the Atheist
Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves

Good stuff.

It is indeed very fascinating observing different animal traits and what connections between species there are, even connections with humans. Have you ever watched Thai girls sit behind each other and pick out nits? eerily reminiscent of monkeys. My wife uses her foot to hold her phone whilst her hands are busy with another task.

[Bonecollector]

I did an animal behaviour module as part of my geology degree which I seem to remember enjoying. I may even still have some relevant academic knowledge tucked away in recesses of my brain, somewhere.

All very interesting stuff. I am an amateur archeologist and anthropologist and am fascinated by all surrounding fields. I have been meaning to knowledge up on my geology as it is pretty much responsible for this planet being able to inhabit us in the first place! If I wasn't such a prat when I was younger, I think Geology might have been a part of my degree.

Last couple of photos are sweet Mendy.

Good karma for you, what you put into this world, usually makes its way back to you somehow. Great life lessons for your daughter, her taking care of a pack of dogs whilst you're away will be teaching her so many things about life and great character building.

[Mendip]

There's a childrens book in all this somewhere

I think Yogi has something a bit more adult in mind.

Have you ever watched Thai girls sit behind each other and pick out nits? eerily reminiscent of monkeys.

I think we must frequent different establishments, mate!

My wife uses her foot to hold her phone whilst her hands are busy with another task.

This intrigues me... I am probably dexterous enough to hold a phone between my feet if my hands were otherwise occupied, but I'd have no chance of seeing anything. Your wife must have good eyes.

I am an amateur archeologist and anthropologist and am fascinated by all surrounding fields. I have been meaning to knowledge up on my geology as it is pretty much responsible for this planet being able to inhabit us in the first place!

What I love about geology is that pretty much wherever you are, whatever you're doing, it's relevant. I guess you could say that about any science to some degree, but go for a drive, sit on a beach, take the dog for a walk, geology surrounds you. The only reason I ended up pursuing it was that my comp offered geology 'O' level and 'A' level, and we had a great teacher (thank you Mr Walmsely).

I was going to natter on about some more dog stories, but in writing this and looking on Google I've just discovered that my old geology teacher died a few years ago. It's kind of spoiled my evening. I remember John Walmsley driving a small group of us - around 6 'A' level students - in a mini bus from Somerset up to the Isle of Skye for a two week field trip, probably around 1984. He even turned a blind eye to us having a couple of pints in the hotel bar in the evenings while discussing the day's geological finds. Marvelous man, and if it wasn't for him I'd probably not be where I am today... sitting in a garden in the back end of NE Thailand drinking a bottle of Leo with a pack of street dogs. Teachers really can shape lives.

Yeah, thanks John!

RIP.

Not really on topic, but anyway...

John Walmsley (1952-2017) | Student News | Sidcot School

[VocalNeal]

John Walmsley (1952-2017) | Student News | Sidcot School

That is only about five miles from the Raceway! Been there many times.

[malmomike77]

Sad news but... teachers, most of my teachers were remembered fondly, even when they had to administer punishment coz i was a little shit.

I have been fortunate over the years to meet some of them or their families after they passed. It was great to feel like a child again, using Mr or Miss and even being a grown up still that feeling you didn't want to garner disapproval.

For the families i met after they'd passed i likd to think some of the yarns of my time with them and how i think they influenced was appreciated. I just think there has rarely been times to regret looking back with most teachers i remember even ones i "hated" at the time.

[DrWilly]

I did an animal behaviour module as part of my geology degree

That's a bit strange.

[Mendip]

^ Yes, my degree started as joint biology with geology... so I could avoid the maths in the geophysics modules.

It ended as pure geology and now I work mainly as a geophysicist. It's strange how life works out.

[DrWilly]

^ Yes, my degree started as joint biology with geology

Whereas I started out with biology, strayed into geology, was offered a transfer to a full geology degree which I eventually turned down and completed my original degree.

[OhOh]

Do your dogs join in with the neighbouring dogs, nighttime howling at the full moon?

[Mendip]

^ Not so much the full moon OhOh, but when they hear me come down in the morning they start howling, I guess because they have missed me so much during the night. The sound of undrawing the curtains seems to set them off.

If I have to go downstairs during the night I leave the lights off and creep about like a burglar or else all hell breaks loose. It can be a lengthy process making a cup of tea.

[Mendip]

Tomorrow I disembark the boat I'm currently working on. I finished all my work yesterday so today I'm at a loose end.

I was supposed to be heading back to Bangkok tomorrow and even had flights issued... but today I've been diverted to the Norwegian office for around three weeks work. My choice, but work is work after all.

Yes, despite Brexit's best efforts I'm now finally allowed to work again onshore in Norway. The immigration police have sent an email granting me permission to work, saying I'm exempt from needing a work permit. I think I'm allowed to work 90 days in any six month period so this should also also cover me for a two month trip later in the year after my UK holiday.

Anyway, having got so close to flying back tomorrow my thoughts drifted to home and my last night with the family before coming away. Back when I still had a life my last nights before going away could be pretty wild affairs but times have changed somewhat. My last night at home before this job wasn't exactly party time.

I started the evening with a Leo and a Ya Dong, sitting with Anna. I always worry that she will miss me.



But after five minutes or so she fell asleep.



I then went to say goodbye to Coco... but she was already sleeping.



Dan I especially worry about when I go away. She's nearly sixteen, needs a special diet and I like to pamper her. Whenever I leave for work I always worry that I won't see her again as she's fading fast. I went to sit with her for a while and reassure her that I'd be back after a few weeks... but she was already asleep and oblivious to my worries.



Max is usually quite an affectionate dog and likes to sit with me in the evenings... but he had gone to bed early and was sleeping in the workshop toilet.



Tommy was also making the most of the cool weather and was sleeping in his favourite spot by the door.



That only left Yogi and Maya. They never let me down and always follow me around in the evenings, playing together and sitting with me while I sip a beer.

But on my last night Yogi was sleeping early...



... and Maya couldn't be roused. She was also having an early night.



I gave up on the dogs. I reckon they were just upset that I was leaving.

I went inside but the wife had had an early night... so I watched Dad's Army on Youtube while my daughter played Roblox on her computer.

The offshore industry ain't what it used to be. Or maybe I'm just getting old?

[DrWilly]

The offshore industry ain't what it used to be. Or maybe I'm just getting old?

probably a bit of both. But that's a great bit of news about the visa thing.

[Reg Dingle]

I started the evening with a Leo and a Ya Dong, sitting with Anna. I always worry that she will miss me.

You been watching Hachi, in Mo's bunk, you big soft fukker?

[Mendip]

^ Not a bit of it... I'm an offshore tiger!

'Mo' left for Karachi a week ago since when I've had the cabin to myself.

I had to look up 'Hachi' and it looks pretty good. Me and the daughter like to watch dog movies together so thanks for that tip. I also like Richard Gere movies. I don't know how I've missed this one.

[Reg Dingle]

^ A great movie and a true story.

Have you learned how to download movies yet?

[Mendip]

^ No I haven't... I usually let my Welsh mate download stuff and I copy it.

I'll bring a hard drive along to our canal boat!

probably a bit of both. But that's a great bit of news about the visa thing.

It seems that due to my past work and tax record in Norway I am now exempt from needing a work/residency permit. I guess things are slowly getting worked out behind the scenes.

I can work onshore 90 days out of any six month period, which along with offshore work and maybe future home work will be more than sufficient.

[DrWilly]

If you like dog moves, look up red dog

[Mendip]

Seen it!

I think 'Marley & Me' takes some beating.

The last one we watched was 'A Dog's Journey', which was pretty good as well.

[OhOh]

A good book and a few movies, made over the years, are around.

"The Call of the Wild is partly based on author Jack London's true life experiences in the Yukon"

[Mendip]

It was the daughter's Birthday last week so I sent her a few gifts from Lazada.

One of her presents was a special cooling mat for Dan. It probably wasn't top of the list of 'wants' for an 11 year-old but I think it's just nice for her to have some parcels to open. Dan is so old now and really feels the heat... this mat has a gel in it that keeps cold and Dan loves it.



And Anna still just sits on her chair every day.

[Reg Dingle]

Happy Birthday little un.






















(Tight focker)

[malmomike77]

Aw bless Dan is looking really frail.

[Loy Toy]

^^^ Hopefully she will come out of her shell when you return mate.

[Mendip]

^^ Yeah, Dan's really showing her age now. She must sleep 20 hours a day and just occasionally gets up and trots around the garden. Bit like the missus to be honest.

Every time I come away to work I worry that I won't see her again and have even shown the gardener where I want her grave to be if it happens while I'm away, next to her brother by the pond. That's Dan, not the missus, by the way.

^ Yeah, I worry about Anna, she's become a bit of a recluse on her chair all the time. I just hope that time will gradually help. I sometimes wonder if I did the right thing bringing her in.