What the blinkin' flip is a 'reliable pet', then? A goldfish you can rely on not to leap out of its tank and make an escape bid for the nearest pond? A dog you can rely on to always look forward to going for a walk? A cat you can rely on to vomit regularly under cover of darkness so you don't find out about it until you nip to the loo in the night with no shoes on? Is this one of those occasions where we and the Americans our divided by a single language? Does 'reliable' mean something entirely different in US English?

Loved your story. I have brag at this point about my most gorgeous paralysed cat, but she is not very disabled considering she has her two back legs and tail paralysed. She is so part of our family and as spoiled as the dog. I have just come in from 'walkies' where she raced around the back yard jumping through the long grass in the moon light. She still has quite a few puddles but we would not be without her. She brings such a special joy to my heart and mostly provides inspiration for me to soldier on through my pain of physical and mental difficulties. They can teach us so much if we only give them half a chance. PS I was very disturbed by the story about the cat skin in your neighbours office! Do you have the RSPCA over there? If so contact them quick I say.