Dogs were the first animals to be domesticated…about 15,000 years ago. One of the latest theories is that they started the process themselves. The more curious, less shy ones started raiding human garbage, which gave them an evolutionary edge. The humans realized the heightened senses of the dogs and their ability to give early warnings of intruders made them great to have around. The synergistic relationship progressed from there.
Cats, on the other hand, have only been domesticated for about 9,500 years. As we can see from this video, they’re not quite as good at warning of intruders.
That doesn’t mean cats aren’t nice to have around too. They’re currently the most popular pet in the world.
How do you feel about dogs and cats?
(Thanks to bikehikebabe for telling me about the video.)
I like cats and dogs, but don’t care to have my life ruled by them. Then there is the neighbor who is angry with me and won’t speak to me – for what reason, I have no idea. His dog, however, always runs to me and gives me a happy greeting. It is quite an unusual situation when the dog is more welcoming than the owner.
Looney,
There’s no doubt about it, they do need care and attention, especially dogs. Cats are a lot easier to take care of. I don’t have either because we live in a no-pets apartment. I get my doggy fixes by going over to the local animal shelter and interacting with the dogs there. That strategy works only because because of the volunteers helping to get the animals adopted. No animals are ever put to sleep unless they are hopelessly ill and in pain or else a threat to humans and unchangeable. Both of those situations are extremely rare.
PS It must be galling to that fellow to have his dog like you so much. At least the dog shows good sense. 🙂
The dog is cute. Maybe he will eventually be able to help us reconcile!
I take the neighbor dogs on my hikes. I took my son’s dog on long mountain bike rides (he ran), until someone shot him around a bend uphill from me.
Cats are easier to keep. Dogs smell when wet…etc. Each cat slept next to me & I wouldn’t move for fear of disturbing it. They each lived to 8 or 9 until a coyote ate them, when they were too old to run up trees fast enough. There are lots of trees. (How do you not let a cat out that meows at the door at 2 AM?)
Back off-lol. Don’t tell me I was cruel. Possibly you are cruel to make your cat stay indoors all his life.
Our passion for travel, where we like to go, what we like to do when we’re there, and the size of our camper all influence how we view dogs and cats: They’re fine for others, but we’re not interested in the added responsibilities and limitations on where we can go and what we can do.
bikehikebabe,
Yes, dogs do smell…especially when they tangle with skunks. That seems to be Sammy’s specialty. 🙂
I have no problem with letting cats out even though they live shorter lives. Some cats hate being cooped up and I’m sympathetic. They do tend to kill birds though. I think it was your snake lady friend who used to trap cats who came into her yard. She would then call Animal Control to take them to the shelter until they were claimed by their owners. The owners got upset, but birds were safe in her yard. Apparently the cats never learned to avoid that particular place, or else there were a lot of roaming cats.
Mike,
Your comment reminded me of the joke about when life really starts. The priest said at the moment of conception. The pastor said when the fetus could live outside of the womb. The rabbi said it started when the last kid left home and the dog died. I’ll bet was thinking of your lifestyle. 🙂
I like them both but don’t want to be tied down to caring for one every day.
I love them. I’m going to get a pet for me and the kids just as soon as I can organise it. The trouble is, the other people living in our house are not keen at all!
I grew up with dogs and till about ten years ago, we had a series of dogs. For about a year and a half, we had a cat and a dog at the same time. Now I can’t take on the responsibility and so, do not keep any.
Gaelikaa, if it is a pet you are looking for, I am sure that the other members of your family will not mind you adopting me! I am a vegetarian too!!
Back to Jean’s comment about snakelady wanting to protect the birds from cats. How about we use netting on our land to protect the poor worms from birds.
Cats, dogs – they are individuals just as humans are. No two are alike. Some are completely neurotic – for which, incidentially, I do blame their owners.
I grew up with a wonderful (black) alsation. Grew up in the sense that he was taller than me when as a tiny toddler I stood next to him sitting on his hind legs. Could cry. Hardly every have felt so protected in my life since. One of my hell raiser uncles lost him in a bet. Those were the days when you still honoured your debts. So that went down really well with my grandparents. A veil of silence was drawn over it. Pongo died shortly after.
People ask whether you are a dog or a cat person implying that you either prefer obedience or independence. Cherishing my independence above all you might call me a cat person. Like all generalisations it’s nonsense.
That cats are easier to keep happy than dogs is a myth. Sure, cats don’t need to be taken walkies or thrown sticks – neither do they look at you in that soppy begging for affection type of way, but cats are very particular and discerning in their likes and dislikes of everything, particularly people.
Apple of my Eye and I are in a transitional period. Both his cats having so oblingly died within the last twelve months as not to encumber our plans I can’t see myself keeping a pet ever again. It makes me sad. But then one can’t have everything in life. No wonder I always thought myself as making a good wife for a farmer. Farms come with muck, animals and gore. Who knows: Maybe one day – in my old age – I’ll have that gander (they make marvellous guard dogs) following me around the vegetable patch, a goat mowing the lawn, a chicken scratching up all my freshly sown seeds and a most annoying cat (you can’t turn the volume down once they purr).
U
PS As usual BHB has netted human idiocy with her last comment. What would I do without her?
Evan,
I agree, we can love them without having to own one. It always lifts my spirits when I go downtown and see a happy dog being walked by its owner. And I don’t want one because most dogs need more stimulation and walks than I would be able to give. I would feel perpetually guilty.
gaelikaa,
We had gerbils when my daughter was little. They require little care and were still a pet for her. It still warms my heart to think of them. I agree, pets are good for children.
Rummuser,
I hope gaelikaa isn’t taken in by your offer. What a handful you would be. 😉
bikehikebabe,
Yes, we’re cruel to the birds and put up nets to protect our cherries from the hail and birds. We also have hardware cloth fences around each tree to discourage gophers and chipmunks and a big chain link fence around the whole area to keep the bears out. As your neighbors well know, they do tear down trees when they go for the fruit.
(bikehikebabe sent me these pictures in the past.)
Ursula,
Welcome back! I agree each dog and cat has its own personality. That’s the beauty of choosing one from our local shelter. It allows trial adoptions to ensure the animal and humans are a good match.
@rummuser; thanks very much. I’ll give your offer my serious consideration….
@ Jean, what is that animal in the photographs? I can’t figure it out at all…
gaelikaa,
It’s a bear trying to eat the cherries and tearing part of the tree down in the process. It was in bikehikebabe’s neighbors’ yard.
When I was young, I like to keep fish in an aquarium. Sadly, each fish has no long life because sometimes I forgot to feed them or replaced the fresh water. Then I bought new fish, and again, they have no long life. Since then, I didn’t want to have any pets again (including dog and cat). Just avoiding my “error” to their life.
One time, I ever teased my neighbor who have a male pet dog. I said: “Your dog has old now. Just let it go freely because the dog (pets) also have a right for having sex out there”. My neighbor just smile to me.
tikno,
The consensus here seems to be that we love animals too much to have them…we don’t have the time to give them the proper care and attention. You’re in good company!
I’m speechless if it come to LOVE. 🙂