patrick.net

There are many homes, some well over $1M, in the hills of Mill Valley and surrounding towns that have no garage and often barely 1 off-street parking spot. Even this stupid McMansion we're renting has only about 1.5 off-street spots in addition to a 1 car garage.

That the cities didn't have the foresight to enforce proper zoning mandating a minimum amount of off-street parking when these homes were built is not something I'm interested in paying a post-facto price for. Alternatively, there are plenty of very fine CCR communities where off-street parking is strictly prohibited. There are plenty of homes for sale there.

At least my rented McPartment has two gated and assigned parking spots.

Randy,

My perspective on the INS issue is more general. The people living in that house is there illegally and should not be in the country.

I believe it is quite common for local governments to ban the conversion of windowless or small window rooms to bedrooms. If a county official goes in and finds beds in garages or other windowless rooms, they are usually able to take some action.

The INS side is more promising for SQT's situation, though it's best done if many people report this dwelling and they all complain loudly (including writing to congressman and letting INS know they've written to their congressman). You will be more effective if you pose yourselves as an actively voting block.

B,

LOL! Thanks. This is not a politically correct blog, so brutally honest opinions are welcomed as such.

Answer: single, overweight, 30-something women with at least 2 cats -the more “below average” looking the better. Send them chocolates at Christmas.

Then a crazy woman with 97 cats may fit the description... Hmm...

I think there should be a limit on the number of cats. No more than 5 cats. Any single woman who has more than 5 cats should be automatically deemed clinically insane.

Any single woman who has more than 5 cats should be automatically deemed clinically insane.

LOL

Our cat breeder has many cats. But she has a family though.

"Our cat breeder has many cats."

You have a cat breeder? What's her specialty?

What’s her specialty?

Ragdolls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragdoll

They're so adorable looking. That's exactly the kind of cat I'd look for if I move to the country or 30 something single who lost hope.

They’re so adorable looking. That’s exactly the kind of cat I’d look for if I move to the country or 30 something single who lost hope.

Get a kitten.

My boyfriend say he can't cost justify a large pet (larger than a hamster or gerbil). It's too bad, since he has unlimited access to cutting edge kitty litter.

But if we ever move to the country, we will be able to justify keeping multiple mouser/squirrel chaser/vole eaters.

I really hope I won't be single at 30. I can handle being unmarried at 30, but being a hopeless 30 something would be very rough.

My boyfriend say he can’t cost justify a large pet (larger than a hamster or gerbil). It’s too bad, since he has unlimited access to cutting edge kitty litter.

Cats are not usually large (except pet tiger) and they do not cost a lot (usually less than $750 a year per cat). Cat litter is a major cost, if you have that taken care of...

I cannot cost justify myself.

But if we ever move to the country, we will be able to justify keeping multiple mouser/squirrel chaser/vole eaters.

I heard that Maine Coons are excellent mousers.

We do like cartripping and hiking, so we can’t leave pets alone for very long. His parents also have an allergic dog that costs them thousands each year in vet’s bills, so he’s a bit scared to commit to a pet.

It should be fine to leave your cats at home alone for up to 3 days. Cat-sitters usually charge less than $30 a day and she can come every other day.

There is pet health insurance if you are very worried. It costs around $40 a month.

Do not go to the vet too often. It costs a lot. Animals are usually quite robust healthwise.

I think of Maine Coons as outdoor cats. They’re really huge and very hairy, so I don’t think I’d want them outdoors. They would be super nice farm cats.

True.

Cats are very low-maintenance anyway. I cannot even imagine of getting a dog.

The poor allergic dog was incredibly itchy. When he was young (before he was diagnosed and properly medicated) he used to scratch himself raw.

My boyfriend claims dogs are more emotionally rewarding. I prefer cats personally, since cats are more intelligent and independent. I like being around a creature with a mind of its own.

My boyfriend claims dogs are more emotionally rewarding. I prefer cats personally, since cats are more intelligent and independent. I like being around a creature with a mind of its own.

Dogs are also more emotionally draining. They demand too much attention.

Cats are very intelligent and are very individualistic. They not only have minds of their own... they have agendas!

I feel that cat-lovers are generally more conservative and reserved. Is this what you observed?

I used to be really into cats, but the one I have now is not a very nice animal. I don’t even know why I’ve kept him all these years.

Cats have horoscopes too.

One of our cats is quite dog-like.

"I feel that cat-lovers are generally more conservative and reserved. Is this what you observed?"

I do sense that dog owners are much more emotive. They also like controlling their dogs, so that the dog can become an extension of the owner. Or if the dog is improperly trained, the owner becomes an extension of the dog.

Cat owners admire their cats and the cats understand the owner's usefulness. I think that's a more mature relationship.

I want a hyno-toad, but then the hyno-toad would own me.

Cat owners admire their cats and the cats understand the owner’s usefulness. I think that’s a more mature relationship.

Very true. One cannot "control" a cat.

I do sense that dog owners are much more emotive. They also like controlling their dogs, so that the dog can become an extension of the owner.

I agree.

SQT,

Any chance you mom will leave the little dog behind for you and her grandkids?

5 is a lot, especially for an apartment. That means you got 5 fur nuggets crapping and pissing in an enclosed, small space.

Just get a huge litter box. Cats are very tidy.

Five still sounds like a lot. How many people do you know with five cats? That’s a lot of cats.

My friend used to have 4. 5 may be a lot then.

I’ve always classified myself as a cat person, but truly, when you have an animal that barely acknowledges you even though you’ve spoiled it rotten for 10 years, the shine kind of wears off.

The cat will acknowledge you only when it wants to. ;)