A Dog Man Gets a Cat

Slate ^ | August 4, 2006 | Jon Katz

[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.

[Lady Jag]

Not bad at all.

[RosieCotton]

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.

[kitkat]

***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?

[Niteranger68]

They make me do this every time.

Ezra

&

Chloe

[Lady Jag]

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!

[uglybiker]

I might be singing a different tune one day when I'm the one having to do the cat box.

[oprahstheantichrist]

Okay, how many Dittoheads can remember when Rush used to cats?

[oprahstheantichrist]

Okay, how many Dittoheads can remember when Rush used to hate cats?

(Sorry)

[A knight without armor]

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.

[MarkL]

Bump!

[meowmeow]

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:

[A knight without armor]

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.

[libstripper]

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.

[MikeA]

Yeah, he seems to be a cat lover now.

[MikeA]

That's funny. Further proof there's nothing that can't be had on the Internet.

[libstripper]

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.

[alarm rider]

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.

[Lady Jag]

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.   : )

[libstripper]

She's a she.

[Lady Jag]

Okay, that's three female cats sleeping on three human heads. I need more info.   : )