Lucius and an Animals In Fiction Rant

[erastes]

I suppose I should be happy that at least I fancy blogging occasionally, even if it is only ranting.

First, Lucius. Not great news, but not lethal news either.He’s got hyperthyroidism and that means tablets for the rest of his life, probably. There is a radioactive injection which can knock it out in one hit, but I haven’t been offered that, so I’

Comments

[sandra_lindsey]

Yes! Why do people not realise how important it is to get the correct breed for the country / timeframe? One of the reasons the English put so much effort into sheep breeding was to develop a competitor to the Merino!

I often fall about laughing at chickens in films. Often one sees Warrens (modern-as-in-post-WW2 breed), and even when they do try a bit harder, they usually end up with Orpingtons, which weren't around until 19th century. Totally spoiled Girl With A Pearl Earring for me, that did ;-)

Although I think the funniest one I saw was something where there was a bunch of men supposedly organising / watching a cock fight. But the two birds were suspiciously lacking in spurs, so more than likely hens!

[erastes]

i'm so glad its not just me who fumes about this stuff. I sometimes feel a bit weird, as I think no one else cares let alone notices!

Perhaps it's a niche market! We should open an animal rental agency specialising in historic breeds. Lots of kerry and white park cattle, highland ponies (notably absent in Outlander book or tv version)!!

[sandra_lindsey]

The chap who runs the Cotswold Rare Breeds Park does that (he was on Country file about it years ago...) but I think that not everyone cares enough to get it right...

[charliecochrane]

What she said! They get warhorses wrong, too, eg for the crusades. apparently they were more percheron than racehorse!

[stevie_carroll]

I noticed Poldark's horse and approved too.

I put loads of work into figuring out what breeds of beast my characters would have on their farms; why can't other people?

[kcwarwick]

I'm afraid bad riding in films is the thing that gets me, and in books shaking the reins to make the horse move forward.