I always assumed it was because batteries give off a little buzz, that our little sensory seekers love em so much. Still not a good idea though.
Carrot, when ds was going through his removing the batteries stage it used to drive me up the wall. Even worse was that he'd then lose the backs off everything as well, so we had to sellotape the new batteries in place. So glad he doesn't do that anymore.
Lisa, that sounds brilliant. Its my dream to live next to a beach and walk my dogs on it at dawn and dusk. I might get there when I retire. 
The dream used to involve a huge pack of dogs, but now I am old, exhausted and no longer a dog trainer I just see myself with two or three.
Ooo, dh has just recieved an email invite for an interview for a very plush job, with a lovely fat salary which would mean I wouldn't have to go back to work (something we've been fretting about). Unfortunately its quite a commute, which means he would be around a lot less. I'm kind of of the money isn't worth it frame of mind and I thought dh would be with me on that, but he's actually really tempted, not just because of the money, but because its a job he knows he can do and for a very prestigious company. Quandry.
What am I still doing here? I thought I'd've been in bed hours ago. Actually, I think I feel a bit better.