tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post2717246094798219281..comments2023-10-21T11:44:45.588+01:00Comments on ResidentAlien: Operant ConditioningMary Witzlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-5477851975881167842011-11-23T19:19:26.105+00:002011-11-23T19:19:26.105+00:00I've been away for a while for various reasons...I've been away for a while for various reasons but I'm so happy to have rediscovered this blog. Love this story; love your writing. <3Carrie Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12871684866506343119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-12964115331605967342011-11-17T15:32:06.387+00:002011-11-17T15:32:06.387+00:00I can't imagine living with someone like that!...I can't imagine living with someone like that! And I'm glad Mrs. Ono found her voice. As for you cat, how long as it been since she was able to eat hassle-free? I bet given more time she'll come around and get more relaxed.Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-50477281764282145232011-11-17T07:34:40.256+00:002011-11-17T07:34:40.256+00:00Uma -- Comments like yours are what keep me writin...Uma -- Comments like yours are what keep me writing. I've been away from my computer for a whole week -- what a lovely thing to come back and find in there with all the rejections and Viagara ads. Thank you.<br /><br />AP -- I've tried feeding Mitzi in the bathroom, but it's a headache: she keeps following me out. <br /><br />I love your dog story; you obviously had a fearless little Scottie. if that isn't redundant. Isn't it infuriating when your best laid plans backfire? Maverick is easily cowed, but coins shaken in a jar, shouting, and loud clapping won't deter Mitzi, who brazenly jumps onto the table or countertops without a by-your-leave. But both cats have an aversion to water, and that squirt gun is a Godsend.<br /><br />Pat -- I honestly never thought of that! Mr Ono died of a heart attack; maybe Mrs Ono did have a squirt gun and used it at an apt moment. It would make the perfect weapon for shocking a high-strung person out of their life, and who would suspect a tiny wet patch on someone's shirt could be anything sinister?Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-70468937106717480812011-11-14T10:50:44.564+00:002011-11-14T10:50:44.564+00:00With my suspicious mind I can't help wondering...With my suspicious mind I can't help wondering if she did him in.Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01529798893653033970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-88869395972753627172011-11-13T19:00:23.411+00:002011-11-13T19:00:23.411+00:00Love the squirt gun idea, I have used one myself. ...Love the squirt gun idea, I have used one myself. <br />My stubborn Scottie Kirby would just stand there and turn her head when I squirted her, she wouldn't move. I also used a soda can filled with pennies to throw near her and stop her but she would fetch the can and bring it back to me. She thought it a fun game. <br />Since I don't have any cats, I like your idea of changing his behavior but I would have just given her some non anxiety time and feed her in a quiet place.<br /><br />cheers, parsnipangryparsniphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17236094827257446781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-65701438284868970142011-11-13T15:51:18.078+00:002011-11-13T15:51:18.078+00:00Thank you for fusing people and cats into a singl...Thank you for fusing people and cats into a single laugh-out-loud image. Your observations (of humans and felines) are so astute and funny. I love your writing, and can't wait to read fiction from you with all these qualities. I don't know what projects you have on hand, but I can see small, perfectly crafted, pointed vignettes coming together in a larger storyline.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-119099939804068142011-11-12T16:49:51.143+00:002011-11-12T16:49:51.143+00:00Meredith -- Me too. If she doesn't, though, I&...Meredith -- Me too. If she doesn't, though, I'll still have fun with the squirt gun. And Maverick could use the odd bath.<br /><br />Vijaya -- Monitoring the cats is a headache, but I've got to do something so Mitzi gets her fair share. <br /><br />I don't think Mr O would have taken the squirt gun well, but he definitely needed some sort of reminder. I just wish I could use it on the people in my life who leave their wet towels bunched up in the bathroom.<br /><br />Charles -- My poor cat: with Maverick around, she never gets a relaxed meal. At least Mrs Ono got a life of her own eventually.<br /><br />Carole -- So many bullies get away with it, don't they? It's tough to stand up to them, and then once they get into a pattern of bullying, it's almost impossible. If I were invisible, I'd definitely impose justice with the aid of a squirt gun. Or perhaps a pea shooter...<br /><br />Kim -- Do it! Just make sure you're in a place that can get wet without harm to furniture, etc. I don't want to get in trouble with Maggie. :)Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-33736614238796106862011-11-12T03:14:28.566+00:002011-11-12T03:14:28.566+00:00Three cheers for operant conditioning! I have trie...Three cheers for operant conditioning! I have tried the same thing with an aluminum beverage can filled with stones, but never could fling the thing w/o the cat on the table catching the motion and associating it with me. Never thought of a squirt gun, although I had boys so we never had anything as discreet as a squirt <i>gun</i> around the house: we had Super Soakers, which were about the size of rifles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-21477360321509165842011-11-11T19:01:01.461+00:002011-11-11T19:01:01.461+00:00Perhaps I should adopt this approach with my grand...Perhaps I should adopt this approach with my grandchildren...Kim Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02656677501116622953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-14390243588679417842011-11-11T15:24:32.008+00:002011-11-11T15:24:32.008+00:00Great story. I loved it. Happy for Mrs. Ono. No...Great story. I loved it. Happy for Mrs. Ono. Not everyone in a bullying relationship gets out unscathed. But it is nice to hear when it does.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03828426520214270655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-84295230144110457022011-11-11T14:29:56.547+00:002011-11-11T14:29:56.547+00:00I'm glad Mrs Ono recovered quicker than your k...I'm glad Mrs Ono recovered quicker than your kitty has. It's sad when someone so dominates another person's life.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-48325928674367118622011-11-11T13:07:04.975+00:002011-11-11T13:07:04.975+00:00I was nodding in agreement all the way through -- ...I was nodding in agreement all the way through -- I've had four cats at one point and had to feed my oldest separately. I've known people like Mr. Ono and seen how the people around them came into their own once they either left or died. But you made me snort my tea at the end -- Mrs. Ono with a squirt gun! Yes!!! I've a mind to do this myself ...Vijayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-19656347848048896622011-11-11T11:19:15.750+00:002011-11-11T11:19:15.750+00:00Thanks again for a great story. I hope Mitzi gets ...Thanks again for a great story. I hope Mitzi gets to bloom one day like Mrs Ono.deedeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10278468497564430383noreply@blogger.com