Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A Dog Man Gets a Cat
Slate ^ | August 4, 2006 | Jon Katz

Posted on 08/04/2006 1:58:31 PM PDT by libstripper

Before Mother, I was never much drawn to cats. They seemed slithery and remote. I have a farm, and cats didn't appear to be useful.

I am partial to working dogs—especially border collies and Labradors—that can herd sheep, fetch sticks, hike with me, cuddle on the sofa, and swim in nearby streams. I didn't really get having an animal you couldn't herd sheep or take a walk with.

Then the rats came. They invaded my farm last summer, especially the big barns. They were fat—at first, I mistook one for a rabbit—arrogant, and fearless. The farmers told me there was nothing much to be done: Rats, naturally drawn to farms, were smart, hardy, and tough to get rid of, especially with other animals around.

(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...


TOPICS: Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: animals; cats; dogs; pets; rats
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 161-163 next last
Dogs make great companions; cats with all their claws are fantastic rodent killing appliances that often make very good companions.
1 posted on 08/04/2006 1:58:32 PM PDT by libstripper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: libstripper

I was going to get a new cat and was looking for a large one. The largest I found was the Maine Coon Cat. Is that the largest?


2 posted on 08/04/2006 2:01:30 PM PDT by FreeManWhoCan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FreeManWhoCan

The Maine Coon Cat is the largest 'domestic' cat, but you might be able to get a Bobcat or something if you spend enough money and are sneaky.


3 posted on 08/04/2006 2:02:51 PM PDT by GeronL (http://www.mises.org/story/1975 <--no such thing as a fairtax)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: FreeManWhoCan

4 posted on 08/04/2006 2:03:02 PM PDT by packrat35 (guest worker/day worker=SlaveMart)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: FreeManWhoCan
Outside of cross breeds of domestic and wild, yes. Norwegian Forest Cats are also very large.
5 posted on 08/04/2006 2:03:43 PM PDT by rintense
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: libstripper

A .22 loaded with shorts or rat shot is a lot more useful than a cat, and easier to clean than a litter box.

I'll stick with dogs.


6 posted on 08/04/2006 2:03:51 PM PDT by Blueflag (Res ipsa loquitor)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: libstripper
>I have a farm, and cats didn't appear to be useful.

Another Public Skool success story.


7 posted on 08/04/2006 2:04:16 PM PDT by orionblamblam (I'm interested in science and preventing its corruption, so here I am.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: libstripper

I was a steadfast dog man and couldn't stand cats until last summer when a friend and his wife who fell on hard times moved in with their two Siamese cats. They are absolutely the most charming creatures, cute, loving, friendly, gregarious and talkative. One is actually more like a dog than a cat. He gets excited to see me when I come home from work and gives me an exhuberant vocal greeting and follows me throughout the house for a while. The other loves to give leg rubs to show his affection and gives little sweet meows to signal he's glad to see you and even plays fetch with a small ball. He loves when I invent new games for him to play and becomes addicted to whatever new little game I invent for him. That one is scary smart. I always say he's a human in a cat suit.

Anyway, in short. I'm converted. I love these cats. And what's even more strange, I'm no longer allergic which was one of my biggest fears about having my friends move in with their cats.


8 posted on 08/04/2006 2:04:26 PM PDT by MikeA (Not voting out of anger in November is a vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FreeManWhoCan
www.maine-coon-cat-club.com

www.mainecoonalliance.org

These cats are BIG

9 posted on 08/04/2006 2:05:10 PM PDT by GeronL (http://www.mises.org/story/1975 <--no such thing as a fairtax)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: libstripper

I'd always heard that cats are mousers, dogs (specifically terriers) are ratters. Glad the cat worked out for him , anyway.


10 posted on 08/04/2006 2:05:54 PM PDT by kaylar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: packrat35

Oh, my gracious! Please tell me that is photoshopped!


11 posted on 08/04/2006 2:06:19 PM PDT by trimom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: MikeA

And I forgot to add, my friends can stay at my place so long as the cats are around. They've bought themselves a place to stay as long as they want with those two cats.


12 posted on 08/04/2006 2:06:37 PM PDT by MikeA (Not voting out of anger in November is a vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: packrat35
That pic is fake.

But they are ALMOST that big.

13 posted on 08/04/2006 2:07:00 PM PDT by GeronL (http://www.mises.org/story/1975 <--no such thing as a fairtax)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: FreeManWhoCan
I was going to get a new cat and was looking for a large one. The largest I found was the Maine Coon Cat. Is that the largest?

Maine Coons are big and very natural looking cats - I think they're gorgeous and they're also very laid-back - not needy and clingy like a lot of cats. Also, apparently, prone to heart disease - my 3 yr old Maine Coon dropped dead one day, much to my family's distress and that of his sister, who spent a week meowing and looking for him.
14 posted on 08/04/2006 2:07:15 PM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: trimom

That one is fake.. but they ARE pretty big


15 posted on 08/04/2006 2:07:31 PM PDT by GeronL (http://www.mises.org/story/1975 <--no such thing as a fairtax)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: FreeManWhoCan
Some cougars can be domesticated. Just don't sue me if your attempt at cougar domestication fails and you ent up starring in "The Courgar's Revenge" by Claude Balls.
16 posted on 08/04/2006 2:08:36 PM PDT by libstripper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: trimom
This one is not photoshopped. Though it is a big exaggerated from the cat being closer to the camera and the woman being of small build.
17 posted on 08/04/2006 2:08:55 PM PDT by Names Ash Housewares
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: packrat35

That's a healthy one right there...


18 posted on 08/04/2006 2:08:56 PM PDT by johnny7 (“And what's Fonzie like? Come on Yolanda... what's Fonzie like?!”)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: FreeManWhoCan

Maine Coons are really big, but so are Ragdolls.

Both get to around twenty pounds =/-, and both are great cats, but you can NEVER let a Ragdoll outside.


19 posted on 08/04/2006 2:10:18 PM PDT by teenyelliott (Soylent green should be made outta liberals...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Blueflag

My first cat was a fantastic mouser and I didn't need to worry about bullet holes where I didn't want them or having to hunt the mice myself. Some snakes make good rodent killers, too.


20 posted on 08/04/2006 2:10:58 PM PDT by libstripper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 161-163 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson