Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Not a major threat.

This supposed "virus" is:

A)  Not a virus.  It is a trojan.
A trojan differs from a virus.   A virus moves from computer to computer WITHOUT the user taking any specific action beyond going to a web page or downloading a file.  A trojan can't.  A trojan is a malicious program that masquerades as a desirable one.  For instance, a trojan could be a program which claims to be a game but it really a malicious program.  The user downloads and runs the program thinking he will get to play a new game but, in reality he is running a hidden program which takes control of his computer.  A virus can spread itself without the user doing anything specific.

B)  Not very widespread.
The trojan has been contained.  If you haven't been affected yet, chances are you never will be.  Only a few thousand people got affected before the problem was discovered.

C)  Has been contained.
The specific program that caused the trojan scare was a pirated copy of a legal program.  This program was surreptitiously uploaded to sites on the internet where people go looking for illegally pirated software.  Those who downloaded and tried to run this ill-gotten program are the only ones who got affected by the trojan.  You can not get the trojan on your computer unless you try to illegally download a specific program and install it.
By now, that program has been removed from almost all of the sites that originally hosted it.  (Mostly BitTorrent websites...  If you don't know what BitTorrent is, more's the better.    )

D)  Has been patched.
By now, Apple has issued updates to its system which makes it impossible to be affected unless your computer is not up to date.

Bottom line:  Only stupid people who don't keep their system up to date and who break the law using illegal copies of programs can get it.  They probably deserve what they get.

The threat level is low on this one.

Bogus warning... Please Read:
http://www.snopes.com/computer/internet/hackermail.asp

The big threats of the day are Cornficker and a new worm on Twitter.

http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=6157
http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=6184

Yes, but it is a very dead-pan type of humor!

Dont' you know?!  Bears hibernate!

I never cease to be entertained by the antics of squirrels.

My mother and stepfather live in a house bordered by woods.  There are squirrels all over the place, sometimes.  They do a pretty good job of raiding the bird feeders.  So much so that Mom and Dad have taken to putting out corn in special feeders just for the squirrels.  The theory being, if you satisfy the squirrels with food they like better they'll leave the bird food alone.  It works fairly well.

One of the squirrel feeders they have is a little wooden box that has a clear plastic front on it and a flip-up lid on top.  You fill it up with yellow corn kernels or peanuts, etc.  The idea is that the squirrels have to figure out how to lift the top and "steal" the food out of the feeder.  It doesn't take very long for them to figure it out but it is fun to watch, especially when there are two or more squirrels vying for the same goodies.

They are always entertaining to watch. 

If you refer to me and my directness of opinion, I bear no resentment to those who tell me I'm full of fluff.  ;)
You have the perfect right to disagree with me and to tell me so if you feel the need.
I only draw the line when things get personal.

Okay?  :thumbsup:

I still have to say it:  Genetically, it is probably a Pot Belly.  You guys are right about that.  But, "psychologically" that pig has become a wild animal and should be treated as such.

Might I be over-cautious?  Probably.  But, the way I see things, I have a choice.  I can express my opinion and let you guys think I'm a big blowhard or I can keep quiet, go along with the crowd but take the risk that one of my internet friends could get hurt.  :cry:
That would make me feel worse!

It might very well be somebody's escaped pet but I still think it's a smart move to call a professional.

I'm with you, Luann!  That's a feral pig.  Even if it was once somebody's pet it should be considered a wild animal now.
Even the most domesticated pigs will become feral and go totally wild if left to their own devices.

I would stay far away from that thing if I was you.  It may look cute.  It may have been somebody's pet.  You may feel emotional for it.  But that thing can turn on you in a heartbeat!  It will tear you up if given half a chance!

The best solution is to call the Game Commission or the Animal Control office and have it taken away.

I feel angry because some silly person decided that it would be cute to have a pig for a pet but, when the thing grew up and they couldn't handle it any more they turned it loose.  It's a crime in more ways than one.  (Read:  "More than just against the law.") 

If somebody were to get hurt by that animal it should be on the heads of the stupid people who turned it loose!

Please be careful!  Call the Game Warden!  Do it now!

I gotta' agree with that!    
Provisionally, I would say it's okay to use Oxy Clean if you test for colorfastness first.

We use Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap to clean Bears when they need a bath.  The "Baby Mild" is the the one we use.
http://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/OLBA16/Ba … idSoap.htm

What a fine Bear!  :)

Don't forget, a well-worn Teddy Bear is a well-loved Bear.  A Bear who has a messed up fur and a few worn patches is a Bear who has done yoeman's work making sure his human always has a friend when needed. 

Teddy Bears often see wear and tear as a badge of honor.

While I can guarantee your Bear will appreciate some TLC, a good brush-up and maybe even a bath, I don't think this Bear needs to be restored to like-new.  That would take away all his character he worked so hard to get.

Ask him what he wants you to do.  Sit down with him.  Give him a good hug.  Feed him some cookies and some hot chocolate and talk to him.

(Yes!  Actually TALK to him!  Really!  I'm serious!  Talk to him!)

He might want you to sew up his nose and mend the bare spots on his paws and feet.  But if he doesn't tell you it's okay to do those things don't do them.  He will tell you what he wants.

Bears don't actually talk to you.  That would be breaking the cardinal rule.  But they certainly can talk THROUGH you if you are receptive to what they are thinking.

Just listen.  He'll tell you what he wants.

Don't forget that cookie!  He needs a cookie!  He's been sitting in that box for a while now.  He's hungry.  Can't you tell just by looking at him?  ;)

BTW:  I read that article you linked to.  Some very good advice except for one thing.
I would be wary of using Oxy Clean on a Teddy Bear.  Oxy Clean has sodium percarbonate in it.  Sodium percarbonate is derived from hydrogen peroxide.  Hydrogen peroxide is a type of bleach.  Yes, they say Oxy Clean is safe for colored fabric but I would still think twice about it.

My gosh!  You practically live on the equator!   
I wouldn't expect seasonal depression due to lack of sunlight to be a problem but you still have to consider the effect of Daylight Saving Time.

Regardless of the cause, you can just chalk it up as "Spring Fever."  ;)

I am the same as you.  I have always had trouble keeping my spirits up, especially this time of year.
It's partially due to Spring Fever or seasonal depression.  It also has a lot to do with the fact that there is a "black anniversary" this time of year for me.

If I am having a tough time getting by I go to the doctor and ask him for some antidepressants.  He knows me well enough that I can simply ask him.  We have a talk.  He gives me a checkup and I get a couple of blood tests.  If he thinks it's okay he'll write me a 90 day prescription.  That's usually enough to get by on.  I almost never finish the prescription.  Once the weather warms up and spring get into full-spring I don't need the antidepressant any more.

You should have a talk with your doctor and see what he thinks.  Talk it over with your family.  Talk it over with your Bears too.
If you are all in agreement, it might do you well to consider it.  But don't just take my word for it.  Your mileage may vary.  Make the best decision for YOURSELF.   

Just judging by the tone of your posts, I'd say you are already back on the road to feeling better! 

A Teddy Bear funeral is probably the saddest occasion of all!   
I just wouldn't ever put a Bear in the washing machine!  Not ever!

Normally we give Bears a bath the way Brenda says, using minimal water.  We use a terrycloth towel to wash with, not paper.  Paper leaves lint balls behind.
Then we towel dry and follow up with a cool hair dryer.  (Not hot!)  We put the Bear in a warm place to dry then, when he's all dry, we brush him.

If the Bear's tush tag said "washable" I'd consider giving him a more through bath than usual.  I would use more water and not worry about getting his fabric wet.  I still wouldn't soak the stuffing.  Even if his stuffing is polyester it will still get matted down after being wet.  The only way to restore a Bear with matted stuffing is to restuff him...  Major surgery!  Maybe... just maybe... if the Bear was made from foam stuffing I would consider getting him all wet.  Even then, I would be very careful about drying him so hit stuffing doesn't mat down.

No matter what you end up doing, the best course of action is to take the least aggressive steps first then follow up with more thorough cleaning if necessary.

I would be absolutely heartbroken if one of our Bears got unstuffed in the washing machine like that! 

BTW:  The video I linked to in my last post covers the topic of washable Bears.  You should check it out.

I know where you're coming from!

Manilla is at 14º latitude where I am at 42º.  That means seasonal depression is more prevalent in my area than where you are.  I don't know how much you are affected but I get it often.  This year has been especially difficult for me.  It gets very hard to get along every day when I feel like people don't care.

I like to write stories and make photographs and digital art.  I will often post art on the internet or show people one of my finished works.  I don't want accolades.  I just want people to see it, recognize it and talk about it.  When I don't get that basic sense of recognition I start feeling down and depressed.

Several years ago, I put one of my photographs on exhibition at the county fair.  I didn't win a prize.  I didn't expect to.  I just wanted to be judged fairly and recognized.  When the ribbons were handed out, the winner was an out of focus picture of an old cat sitting on a rug that was taken with a cheap instamatic camera.  I was pretty cheezed-off!  I wasn't mad because I thought I should win.  There were three or four photos in the exhibition that were better than mine... WAY better.  None of them won any ribbons either!
That was more than 15 years ago.  I have not exhibited a single photograph in public ever since.

I am glad you're feeling more connected.  Yes, it IS important for people to talk and recognize each other.

Oh!  BTW!  Happy Birthday!   :bday:  :cake:  :clap:   

Don't soak the Bear.  It will take ages for him to dry and he'll smell musty afterward.

First, get a brush.  The best brushes are hair brushes used for babies.  Short, soft bristles.  Stiff enough to do the job.  Not so stiff as to pull out too much fur.
Prefer one that's never been used for anything else.  Humans leave oil in the bristles when they brush.  This is not good for Bears.
Brush the Bear's fur up and see how he looks.

If that doesn't work, you can SURFACE WASH him.  Put him by the sink.  Use a sponge or wash cloth to blot and pat the dirt out of his fur.
You can use baby shampoo if you have it.  You can buy special "Bear Bath" at the store.  Gund makes one.  Build-A-Bear Workshop sells one too.  We use Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap.  (Unscented Baby Mild)
Sponge his fur clean with a soapy cloth.  Sponge the soap out.  Towel dry the Bear.  Put him in a warm, airy place to dry.
Brush his fur when he's dry.

Your Bear may fuss when he's getting his bath but he'll be much happier when he's dry and fluffed.   

For the definitive word on Bear cleaning, click the link below to see a movie:

Natural History of the Teddy Bear:  Keeping Clean
(6.6 MB download - MP4)

Why would they change the categories like that?

Isn't the idea of having categories so that you can keep a constant frame of reference from award to award?
If the categories change then how is an award winning Bear maker supposed to say "I won the Large Bear category for the last two years." when the category changes all the time?

Changing things like that defeats the purpose of having categories.   :doh:

It doesn't necessarily have to be rattlesnakes.
There's got to be some kind of creature in Oz that would make a likely story.

P.S.  Rattlesnakes don't lay eggs!   

I did a good one today.

Take a piece of wire coat hanger and bend it into a "U" shape.
Next, use two big, fat rubber bands to attach a large fender washer between the prongs of the "U".
Wind it up good and tight then slip it into an old Fed-Ex envelope.  (You know, the Tyvek ones that are made out of that paper you can't tear.)
Fold it in half if you need to so that the washer is prevented from spinning by the sides of the envelope.

Get a black magic marker and write on the outside of the envelope:

RATTLESNAKE EGGS
Found in [some likely location]
Due to hatch some time at the end of March.

Leave it in a location where your victim will find it.
When he picks it up and opens the envelope the washer will spin against the paper envelope and make a loud "B-R-R-R-R!" sound.

It's guaranteed to make him scream like a girl!      

I got one guy today real good!  He threw the envelope on the ground and started to run away!

This is one of those jokes when you play it on somebody they'll say, "That was TERRIBLE!...  Let's go do it to somebody else!   :twisted:

Brenda, here's a picture of a few of the dogs.

Left to right:  "Max", "Rex", "Dutch", "Peny" and "Toby"
Max and Rex were English pointers.  Dutch was a setter.  Penny and Toby were Brittany spaniels.

Rex, second from the left, is the one that dragged me all over the place.
As you probably know, pointers are supposed to be a medium sized dog.  Take a look at Rex.  He was a mutant!  Even hunched down behind the brush you can tell he's musclebound!  My dad tried to sell that dog three times.  Every time, the dog was brought back.  Nobody but Dad could control Rex.

(BTW:  That picture is over 30 years old.  All those dogs are gone, now.)

Thanks for your support, Daphne.  :)
I hear so many people try to tell me that it's cruel to treat a dog a certain way.  Then they spout a whole bunch of fluff about how they train dogs.  Some of the advice is good.  Some is just nonsense.  The just don't realize that dogs don't think the way people do.

I may not be a great dog expert but I grew up with dogs.  As I said, my dad used to breed and train hunting dogs.  When I was a kid, I used to go downstairs and sleep in the puppy box.  Being around dogs and animals from the time I was a young kid might not make me an expert but I certainly can "speak dog."  ;)

The Martingale looks like a fancy type of constriction collar.  It might work for some dogs but not every dog.
My dad used to keep two collars on his dogs.  One was a wide, flat leather collar.  The other was a choke chain.  What he did was to thread a nut and bolt through one of the links of the collar so that it would not go so tight as to completely choke the dog.  It would slip tight enough to give the dog the "message" but not so tight as to hurt.

Hint:  If you pull on your dog's choke collar and he makes a weird "Haa! - Haa!" sound that resembles a honking goose, that's too tight!  That means you're cutting off the dog's windpipe!  Back off one or two links on the chain and put your stopper bolt right there.

Every dog is different.  I remember some dogs that would cower if you simply yelled at them.  There were others that wouldn't listen if you hit them on the head with a crowbar!  (Figuratively speaking, of course.)

I remember one dog, named "Rex" which used to run away a lot.  My dad had to clip 20 pounds of logging chain to Rex's collar just to slow him down!   
I was about 12 years old and weighed a good 100 pounds at the time.  Dad handed me Rex's leash and said, "Here, hold him."
Well, old Rex knew he wasn't under Dad's thumb anymore and he knew he could get away.  That dog took off, dragging my 100 pound carcass and 20 pounds of chain to boot!  It barely slowed him down!  All I remember is my dad laughing as he dragged me all around the field.  ;)

You know, Daphne, that's not an entirely silly idea!   
If your dogs will tolerate the harness, it might be cool.  It'd be a lot of exercise for them and it would be fun for you.  :thumsbup:

Historically, Saint Bernards were often hitched up to  wagons.

A lot of people still do!

http://www.stoncreeksaints.info/photo_album_i

http://www.stoncreeksaints.info/
(Bottom of page.)

You have to remember that dogs don't think like people.  People can talk, think and reason.  Dogs can't.
The only way to get through to a dog is to show it who is the "bigger dog."

All dogs respond differently.  Some like treats.  Some like to be petted and praised.  Some need to be persuaded.  Still, others need to be coerced.
It's up to you to figure out what your dog's secret is and use that to your advantage.

Maybe your dogs just needs to be yelled at in order to get her to behave.
A sharp pull on the leash and a stern "NO!" might be what it takes to get her to pay attention to you.  Then, when she starts to listen, make a fuss and pet her and praise her.

I've never been a fan of using treats to train dogs because it is easy to fall into the pattern where the dog won't obey if it knows you aren't going to give it a treat.

Overall, there are two things that are essential to training a dog to do anything:  Consistency and immediacy.

You must always teach the dog the same thing every time.  If you pull on the leash and say "NO!" it has to mean the same thing every time.
If you want the dog to stop doing what it is doing and sit-stay when you pull on that leash then EVERY time you pull on that leash and say "NO!" must mean "Stop-Sit-Stay"  If you start pulling on the leash when you want the dog to get into the car or because you want the dog to come to you, then you are going to confuse it.  The dog won't know what to do when you pull the leash.

Second, you must remember that a dog's memory lasts about 15-30 seconds.  If the dog pees on the floor and you scold the dog right when you catch it in the act, you will have an effect.  IF you want 5 minutes, the dog won't be able to place the act with the punishment.  All you will be doing is to confuse the dog.

Most dogs will react well to being verbally scolded when they are bad and praised when they are good but don't be afraid to use a strong hand if necessary.

One of my wife's friends has a big german shepherd.  She's only about 5 feet tall and the dog is huge compared to her but she makes that dog obey every time.  It is amazing to see!   
If the dog doesn't do what she wants, she goes right up to him, grabs him by the collar, pulls up and says, "NO!"
The dog immediately sits down, looks up and seems to say, "I'm sorry..."
When the dog finally does what she wants, she pets him on the head, says, "Good boy!" then gives him a pat on the rump...  off he goes.
I grew up around dogs and my dad used to teach me how to train dogs to hunt.  My dad had some very well-trained dogs but I've never seen a dog obey as well as my wife's friend's dog.

Start training early.  Show Dakota who is the "bigger dog."  Figure out what makes her respond and use that to your advantage.  Always teach the same way.  Always correct or praise immediately.  And, finally, be patient.

Persevere and you will have your dog trained to do what you want in a lot less time than you think! 

I bet she has a pouch on her back and she can snuggle up inside like a plushy little ball then "Pop!" out again.  Right?

She's a Popples Pet.
That's why they call them "Popples."  Cuz they can POP out of their balls.  :D

Lots of Popples can be found on eBay.

CLICK HERE to go to eBay

If your virus software is updated, your system upgrades and patches are all current and you practice safe internet behavior you have nothing to worry about.  Cornficker (AKA: Downadup) isn't anything special.  People have been watching it for months.

If you want the real scoop on viruses, go to this link:  http://isc.sans.org/
This is where the übergeeks who track down all these kinds of things hang out. 

Peter,

You are a great Bear photographer!  :)
Always natural light.  It makes the fur stand out just the right way.  :thumbsup:

Us Bears are jealous.   
We wish we had somebody could take pictures of us that well! 

Bobbi is a good name for a dog.  :)

It's a good, strong name and the dog will know she's being called when she hears it.