Usenet stupidity

[dreamer_easy]

I posted asking for advice on scaring off a neighbour's cat, explaining that our indoor-only cats make noise in the middle of the night when they detect the visitor. I got some good advice, but at least three people said completely stupid things which indicated they hadn't bothered to read the original message:

- Why not let your cats out to scare it off?

- Why not leave food for the visiting cat to quieten it?

- Why not just go out and shoo the cat away?

- And worst of all, an abusive response to the "shoo" suggestion from a self-righteous cat protector who failed to notice (a) the boys are indoor-only and (b) the "shoo" person didn't suggest letting them out. The YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR CATS!!! attitude promoted by the rec.pets.cats FAQ etc is a very important one - it's a *huge* responsibility and you have to be prepared for it - but it does produce some prize know-it-alls just gagging to leap in and censure someone whether they need it or not.

It annoys heck out of me when I misread someone else's message and make a dunderhead posting; it's too easy to do. But I seem to have hit the dunderhead jackpot here! :-)

Comments

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

I've been spraying Orange Power around the doorstep. Certainly my boys dislike it intensely - after using the spray, I forgot to wash my hands and tried to pat Frank; he wrinkled his nose and fled as though I were a corpse!

[antikythera.livejournal.com]

My cats do that if I've just been peeling oranges with my hands.

I can't think of anything here... if the cat thinks your house is his territory, he'll keep going there. Is it hearing or seeing him that bothers your cats?

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

S/he's silent as a ghost. I think they can *smell* Enemy Cat; the front door of the House of Sticks doesn't fit, and there's an inch gap at bottom right through which Frank sticks his nose. We refer to this as the "smellovision".