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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 dogsespecially border collies and Labradorsthat 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 fatat first, I mistook one for a rabbitarrogant, 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
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To: MikeA
101
posted on
08/04/2006 3:42:15 PM PDT
by
Lady Jag
(Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated)
To: Lady Jag
Ha! I can identify, kinda. They at least know not to get near my face, or I may well toss them in my sleep...
Tam also likes to jump on the counter while I'm getting ready for work and tug on my sleeve with one paw, crying piteously. Big drama queen.
To: Lady Jag
***You know that she believes being sprayed by you is insulting . . .***
No, I thought she just doesn't like water. Is there some deeper meaning which I don't know?
103
posted on
08/04/2006 3:54:01 PM PDT
by
kitkat
(The first step down to hell is to deny the existence of evil.!)
To: libstripper
They make me do this every time.
Ezra
&
![](http://i6.tinypic.com/11kbf34.jpg)
Chloe
104
posted on
08/04/2006 4:04:40 PM PDT
by
Niteranger68
(I gigged your peace frog.)
To: kitkat
She's part of your pride and a female. Females rule the pride, but she'll likely consider humans her parents and seniors forever and not be too competitive with you.
If you hiss at her or swat her gently, she'll understand when she's doing wrong, but she knows sitting on the stairs relaxing is not wrong. If she realizes you're spraying her she'll be confused at the mixed message or, at the very least, insulted at your lack of respect for your pride. It's not a big deal, I prefer to nudge for something that's not bad behavior.
If a cat was eating a dangerous plant or doing something destructive I'll use the spray bottle.
If the cat doesn't know where the water's coming from, they usually figure it's the plant and they decided not to do that anymore!
105
posted on
08/04/2006 4:10:46 PM PDT
by
Lady Jag
(Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated)
To: MikeA
106
posted on
08/04/2006 4:11:25 PM PDT
by
uglybiker
(Don't blame me. I didn't make you stupid.)
To: MikeA
Okay, how many Dittoheads can remember when Rush used to cats?
To: oprahstheantichrist
Okay, how many Dittoheads can remember when Rush used to
hate cats?
(Sorry)
To: oprahstheantichrist
I'm an original Dittohead but I don't know what you mean. You mean Rush used to do what with cats, like name them? Let us know! I enjoy Rush trivia.
To: MarkL
110
posted on
08/04/2006 4:28:59 PM PDT
by
MarkL
(When Kaylee says "No power in the `verse can stop me," it's cute. When River says it, it's scary!)
To: FreeManWhoCan
My parents have a Maine Coon and she is enormous - and feels like a fur covered concrete block. Maine Coons - at least the few I've known - tend to be one-person cats. They don't like to cuddle but they like to hang out with their person. My parents' kitty actually goes to bed when they do and gets up when they do.
Not like my little 4am alarm clocks:
111
posted on
08/04/2006 4:29:16 PM PDT
by
meowmeow
(In Loving Memory of Our Dear Viking Kitty (1987-2006))
To: oprahstheantichrist
No, I actually do not remember Rush hating cats. Unfortunately, I do remember Boortz telling his cat hating stories and enticing his callers to do so. He did it to be funny but of course it was cruel.
To: RosieCotton
The worst thing is when they all decide they can achieve a physical impossibility--simultaneously occupying the same space, at the same time, with their human. All dog/cat people have experienced this.
To: oprahstheantichrist
Yeah, he seems to be a cat lover now.
114
posted on
08/04/2006 4:56:10 PM PDT
by
MikeA
(Not voting out of anger in November is a vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House)
To: uglybiker
That's funny. Further proof there's nothing that can't be had on the Internet.
115
posted on
08/04/2006 4:56:34 PM PDT
by
MikeA
(Not voting out of anger in November is a vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House)
To: Lady Jag
ROTFLMAO!!! That's exactly what my cat does, while two 65 lb. dogs are tryig to prove that they can simultaneously occupy the same bed spaace as I'm occupying. Of course, none of my animals is spoiled.
To: Blueflag
Barn cats will see your .22 and raise you absolute vigilance and a natural inclination to kill a rodent 24/7.
Your .22 requires you, my barn cats work while I sleep.
117
posted on
08/04/2006 5:14:07 PM PDT
by
alarm rider
(Those that vote for RINOS knowingly, have already admitted defeat.)
To: libstripper
You'll never have to sleep cold with that heavy fur blanket! Pets are meant to be spoiled, in my opinion. The more spoiled I make them, they more they like me and I really prefer cats to like me.
Is the cat that sleeps on your head or face a female? I'm trying to figure out why they do that and all I've been able to think of is the higher positioning. Female cats play King of the Hill and highest one is the winner, the superior one.
Someone said earlier on in this thread that cats on are on the wild side. That's true; they are not a domesticated pet, so it's good to have them on your side. : )
118
posted on
08/04/2006 5:28:13 PM PDT
by
Lady Jag
(Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated)
To: Lady Jag
To: libstripper
Okay, that's three female cats sleeping on three human heads. I need more info. : )
120
posted on
08/04/2006 6:20:30 PM PDT
by
Lady Jag
(Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated)
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