Posted on 02/23/2012 10:00:18 PM PST by Altariel
Isn't it funny how we feel the need to describe someone as a "cat person" or a "dog person" when introductions are made? I happily consider myself a "multi-species person," although I admit to favoring cats (apologies to my Scottie, whom I love dearly!)
Cats and dogs have very different skill sets when it comes to fitting into a family. Let's add up the plusses and minuses to see which one makes the better pet...
* Cats are quiet (+1) * Dogs, while loud, make great low-cost home security systems (+1) * Cats are independent (+1) * Dogs are in-your-face creatures (-1) * Cats only come to you when they want something (-1) * Dogs are always glad to see you come home (+1) * Cats are not good travelers (-1) * Dogs love to go for rides and walks on the beach (+1) * Indoor cats require a litter box (-1) * Dogs require "yard duty" (-1) * Cats jump on food prep areas (-1) * Dogs can't reach those areas (+1) * Cats can be left for hours and even overnight on occasion without worry. (+2) * Dogs can't be left alone for long stretches and need to be boarded at times (-2) * Cats eat much less than dogs (+1) * Dogs are less finicky when it comes to food (+1)
Well, it's a tie and I'm still confused. Both animals offer unconditional love and companionship so personal preference is the way to go. Oftentimes you won't even get to choose as the pet picks you.
For some odd reason, dogs are considered more adoptable than cats, although there are more felines in homes in the U.S. than canines, according to the Humane Society of the United States This is probably due to the fact that 52 percent of cat owners have more than one cat, while only 28 percent of dog owners have more than one dog. (Another "plus" here for cats?)
Whatever you decide to bring into your own home as a family member, please consider your lifestyle and the requirements of the pet. We, of course, encourage you to consider a cat or two as 10 percent more of them are euthanized each year than dogs in the shelters, according to the ASPCA.
Kitten season is beginning and soon there will be scores to choose from. Please help us stem the tide of overpopulation by having your pets spayed and neutered this month. And call us if there are free-roaming feral cats in your neighborhood so we can TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) them before they breed.
Marci Kladnik is a board member of Catalyst for Cats, a Santa Barbara County nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of feral cats. For more information, call 685-1563 or visit www.catalystforcats.org.
When’s the last time you removed a dog clump from the place in your house where you prepare and eat yer corn on the cob....? Now if you could teach a cat to take out it’s own clumps....
plus cats carry dangerous diseases...so....
Very cool info. Thanks.
I love cats but alas I have sever allergies to them, such irony.
Oh my goodness! Thank you for sharing that!
I’ve had dogs and cats since I was 16 years old. For a a few years we only had cats. a few years ago our last and final cat passed away. Only dogs now. The deal was, add a dog, but no more cats or litter boxes.
OMG that is sick.
I had to laugh at your description of the basset! Great job! I have never had a basset but been around them and you are right on! But I wanted to share the name given by my UK friends for that flying slobber. I learned it when I acquired an Italian Spinone from England years ago. They call it FLOB (flying + slobber). And yes, it goes all the way to the ceiling. When mixed with dark West Texas dirt it makes a sort of black concrete that is difficult to remove too, especially from white ceilings. Ahhh the joy of jowly dogs. :) Gotta love ‘em or you would...well, you know.
LOL and my golden slept right thru it.
Dogs need to be laundered (-2)
Cats clean themselves (+2)
______________________________
I know what cat’s breath smells like and cleaning themselves with their tongue and spit doesn’t count. I would rather they NOT clean themselves. We always bathed our cats just like we do the dogs.
I love animals, dogs included, but I’ve always had a special heart for cats.
It’s my experience that men tend to view cats as sort of a sissy animal, more suited to women, but IMO that’s wrong. A cat is the neatest animal on earth, to me. He’s a miniature tiger in every way——tough, fearless little bundles of solid muscle. There’s nothing frou-frou about them, unless you’re talking the fluffy, overbred, lay-around longhaired types, and that’s not my kind of cat. That’s the man-invented kind, and not the true feline.
“The Vikings traveled with cats. That says something too.”
Did Vikings travel with cats to the exclusion of dogs? No, they did not. So, they had the means to bring more than just one domesticated animal with them. Therefore, we can’t assume they viewed cats as more valuable based on the fact that they brought some along.
“Note also that Native Indians didn’t grow wheat or have mass graineries, as Egypt did.”
Corn doesn’t count as a grain? I’m pretty sure rodents won’t turn their nose up at it. Of course, they did build granaries as well, I don’t know where you got that notion from. Also, for all the cat people love to cite Egypt as evidence of how important cats were, they fail to mention that cats were a novelty, being domesticated there long after Egyptians were already living happily with their dogs. They may have modeled a minor goddess after them, but the fact is that one of the major deities was Anubis, who took the form of a dog. So, even by that standard, the Egyptians gave more reverence to dogs in their pantheon.
“Cats have their place in human history, don’t try to deny it.”
I’m not denying it, just putting them in their proper place, behind dogs. Dogs were most likely the first domesticated animal, and probably preceded any domestication of plants as well. They’re ubiquitous and inseparable from human history. You just cannot say the same for cats.
“I hate cats! People say they taste like chicken.
But they don’t.”
It is all about preparation, my FRiend. Were they fried or baked? Personally, I like marinated meats.
All I can say is Texas Cowboy would be having the time of his life on this thread.
;)
Cats jump on food prep areas (-1) * Dogs can’t reach those areas (+1)
********
Somebody come here and ‘’splain that theory to my girls....please???
Oh geez.
LOL!!!!
I am also a “multi-species” person.
I have a slight preference for dogs, if only for practical reasons. They can do things for us. But then, I have dog types I don’t care for much at all. So it sort of evens out.
I love cats too. I’m appalled by people who are very prejudiced against 1 or other.
“Cats only come to you when they want something (-1)”
I had cats who both came when called, and came just to get love. I’ve also known a few.
“Cats jump on food prep areas”
Untrained/disciplined cats jump on them. Trained animals know their limits.
“Dogs can’t reach those areas”
What kind of dog do you have? Oh yeah, a short-legged terrier. Dogs WILL try - again, UNTRAINED animals.
My best cats have always been buff-&-white. Seems to be a kharma.
I’ll never forget the look on my husband’s face when he got home from the store....looking all over the kitchen for the 2 filets he put on a plate, on the edge of the counter, with a young GSD...alone in the house.
The plate was there, however ... ;)
Case Closed.
I’m so sorry that happened to you cute kitty!
My last cat was much like that. Followed us around like a dog, his tail happily straight up in the air (that means they’re happy and care-free - don’t trust a cat whose tail is down most of the time), conversed (it helps when you really understand nuances of animal speak; it ain’t just “mew” and “bark”), snuggled, trotted over when called, etc. Not to mention was trained NOT to do obnoxious things like counter-walking, curtain-climbing or any such things.
He was like a stereotypical dog.
That’s the other thing - for me, males are the best cats. (Females the best dogs. I’m the reverse of the stereotype for sex of the species. I also had dogs who were very cat-like - it seems the best animals are a mix of everything!)
Oh, filets. Mmmm. Can’t blame the animals for liking them!
My animals just must learn the manners. They do not even put their noses to a coffee table. My cats understood the differences, too. The rule: you don’t put feet anywhere I don’t put my butt. They could walk all over the sofa, but not cross over to the coffee or end tables.
My GS Tara is also very good about food. However, there is 1 thing she CANNOT resist if you leave it in an easily (*note: the counter is not “easy”) accessible place while she’s alone. Chocolate. She will withstand steaks and all sorts of good food. But she likely WILL steal the chocolate in the candy dish if you run out to the store.
The 1st time I discovered her “problem” is pretty funny. I had some Nestle Treasures in a dish on the end table. I had eaten some and left maybe 3 on the dish. Went to work, then when I sat down later expecting to grab 1, there were none. I was SURE I still had some there, but memory isn’t very good so dismissed it. It seemed to happen another time, I think. Then I found purple wrappers in Tara’s potties. She had pilfered them leaving absolutely no evidence - dainty as could be, she moved nothing around and dropped nor broke nothing and ate all the food evidence.
We’ve sometimes caught her trying since. Rule: don’t leave out chocolate at all when leaving the house, and don’t put choco wrappers/etc in small trash cans.
Chocolate ... not good. At least they were small pieces.
Mine have their table manners, now.
The filet thing was when she was under 1 year... and come ON... I wonder, even in their adulthood, if two raw filets WERE left on the edge of the counter ............
I love our dogs! I love our cats! There is no limitation on our love! (Love our FReepers!)
Ha!
It didn’t work this time.
The dogs’ mouths are too full of bloody raw beef bones to leave room for howls...;D
LOL!
50 reasons why dogs are better than men:
A dog gets a new coat every winter.
Dogs are not so careless about leaving puddles on the bathroom floor.
A dog is less likely to leave a filthy, stinking mess for you to clear up.
For a dog, a wet nose is a sign of GOOD health.
Men are even less useful for testing cosmetics on.
Dogs don’t wolf-whistle.
A dog is far less irritation to have in the back seat of a car...
...and will be less likely to show its rear end to the people in the vehicle behind for a laugh.
Elizabeth Hurley has a faithful dog whom she loves dearly.
If a dog says sausages, that’s clever. If a man says sausages, that’s just greedy.
Dogs will wait patiently outside clothes shops...
...and not criticize your purchases afterwards.
A dog will fetch the morning paper for you.
Spots are an attractive feature on a dog.
A dog is better protection from intruders.
Dogs enjoy ball games. But they don’t spend six hours on the phone trying o get tickets for France 98.
Dogs greet each other by sniffing bottoms. Men are far less polite.
Puppy love doesn’t wear off so quickly with a dog.
You can be prosecuted for neglecting a dog.
Dogs can find their way back home - even after a really heavy night out.
Dogs can be trained not to lie on the bed. Men always lie in bed.
A dog can moult without becoming obsessed about premature baldness.
Dogs can be taught the meaning of the word “NO!”
A dog will trot faithfully round at your heel.
Dogs don’t break wind in public and blame it on the man.
In the canine world, boxers are quite intelligent.
If a dog gets ill, it won’t take eighteen Panadols in order to avoid having to go to the vet.
You can also ask the vet to perform the snip, even if the dog objects.
Small, ginger-haired dogs can be quite appealing. As for men? Two words. Robin Cook.
You can find a nice dog by advertising on a card in a shop window, or in the classified section of the local paper.
A woman can live with more than one dog, without rumours starting.
When dogs beg, it’s cute. When men beg it’s pathetic.
Dogs sometimes dig the garden.
A dog can go out fox-hunting without being incredibly stuck up and pompous.
Dogs don’t necessarily prefer blondes.
Dogs won’t get embarrassed if you call them by a pet name when their friends are around.
Dogs travel more cheaply on the bus.
Dogs whine less.
Some dogs can be quite talented at singing.
Men lost the World Cup. A dog found it.
Dogs are less reliant on tinned food...
...but after a few cans, a dog will still be able to stand up.
And there are some things even a dog won’t eat - like the remains of a three-day-old King Prawn vindaloo that they found on the floor behind the sofa.
You can leave a dog alone in your house without worrying so much about what it’ll break.
There are still thousands of totally undomesticated dogs in Australia; but far more undomesticated men.
Your dog will never refer to you as ‘a bitch’.
In disaster films, the dog is always far more likely to have a miraculous escape.
Dogs do not waste money betting on the dogs.
You can stop dogs getting too randy by throwing a bucket or water over them.
All the best clips on ‘You’ve Been Framed’ are the ones with dogs in.
If a dog starts worrying sheep, that’s just its natural predatory instinct.
If a MAN starts worrying sheep, however...
A ‘King Charles’ is much more likely to be a big, floppy-eared dog than a big floppy-eared man.
You can also call a dog schitzu without offending it.
“Working like a dog” is strenuous. Working like a man is, er - not.
You can fondle your dog in the park without being arrested.
A dog will encourage you to lose weight by taking more exercise. A man will just remark on how big your bum looks.
Dogs do not attack other dogs for being a different colour.
Having a dog around the place can actually ease stress.
You’d feel guilty about turning a dog out on the street.
A dog can take a barrel of brandy to a lost mountaineer without drinking ANY.
There aren’t so many good reasons to keep a dog muzzled in public.
You can buy a dog’s affection with a squeaky toy.
A dog will be eager to walk, rather than getting a taxi.
Most dogs are really good with children.
Dogs have a highly-developed sense of smell. Men, on the other hand, can quite happily wear the same pair of pants for a fortnight.
A dog is more useful for tracking down criminals.
Who did YOU miss most from Blue Peter - John Noakes or Shep?
A dog might actually take a bath of its own accord.
There’s more chance of your dog being able to operate the video recorder.
You can buy a choke-chain for a dog.
A 16-year-old dog is very mature.
A dog is easier to keep well-groomed.
Dogs have more chance of receiving an award for bravery.
Dogs are easier to house-train.
Dog do not scratch themselves so much in polite company.
A dog can look as though it understands what you’re saying.
Dogs went into space first.
A man will roll over and play dead only if you ask him to get up and make coffee.
Dogs enjoy swimming, and not for the chance to ogle girls in bikinis.
Being a dog’s mistress is no reason to feel ashamed.
You can keep your dog tied up if it starts misbehaving.
Saggy skin and a hang-dog look aren’t half as appealing on a man.
You can train a dog in obedience.
A dog in a studded collar isn’t kinky.
Few men would answer to ‘Lassie’.
A dog is a pack animal. A man is a six-pack animal.
Dogs spend the day sniffing drugs only if they’re with the police.
Dogs aren’t obsessed with ‘doing it man-fashion’.
A dog is a faithful companion.
A dog is for life.
I’d guess wherever mange mites are endemic.
/running away
:)
They’re all gnawing raw beef bones.
They don’t care about howling, right now....LOL
A snake person finally showed up!
I love all of mine and have trained some of them for home protection.
Lemme see a cat do that!
[*without* Photoshop]...;D
"Cheap to feed" is relative, though.
The Boas scarf down 2 large rats per meal and the Pythons 1-3 mice, depending on which one is being fed.
13 snakes are not really that cheap to feed...darn it.
We go buy F/T in bulk every 2 months or so and it's never less than $100 for everybody's grub.
Truly art holds up a mirror to life.
I used to joke about them being the greatest guard dogs ever. Ears to hear anything and a built-in fog horn to sound the alarm. A buddy said they could not compare to a Shepard, dobie or Pit bull because they were so short and couldn’t move quick, plus they are not by nature as aggressive (though males CAN be).
I jokingly replied that someone should crossbreed them and create the dreaded ‘Pit Basset’.
I entered the term into Google.
They exist.
And they are the coolest looking dog you can imagine ;)
I have a 32 Special that would look at home with the top two. Know anywhere to buy ammo for under $80 a box? Not easy to come by these days unfortunately.
"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea" - Robert.A.Heinlein
Have both as they compliment each other.
That’s a cutie pie. Thanks
Dunno.
We roll our own.
OK, I had to google that and yes, they are rather handsome. :)
I think every mix possible has been tried. But, on the other hand, I think a basset could be quite dangerous...if you tripped on one. I tell people that’s how my golden would be most dangerous! :)
Oh, don’t EVEN get me started... *sigh*
Really dumb question.
A cat is a rodent compared to a dog such as a German Shepherd.
Yup, tripped over more than one and they are cat-like in that they are always underfoot.
Consider though that as a low-rider Bloodhound, they haZ a VERY large set of teeth. And they are poised to bite at bad ‘altitudes ;)
True story: A friend of mine had a Basset and a greyhound he’d trained as a rabbit hunting dog. He sends them out and the Grey is off like a rocket - the basset is nose to the ground and plodding along into the woods.
A while later he hears “WOOOOOO WOOOOO WOOOOOO” WAY off in the distance and a couple moments later the rabbit comes out of the brush with a full-tilt Grey on his fluffy little tail.
Hunter 1, Rabbit O
So he and another guy are sitting there BSing, and they hear “WOOOOOO WOOOOO WOOOOOO” getting closer.
More talk ensues that the basset will be disappointed.
Finally, from the exact place the rabbit came out of the brush (atop a chest level rise) the basset flies out, nose to the ground...except the ground is about 4 feet down.
Plows full Basset sprint airborne into the guy holding the rabbit and sends both sprawling.
A dangerous animal indeed.... ;)
In an infinite universe there exist infinite possibilities to do something ‘wrong’
This is all of them. In one dog.
People suck.
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