[OT] Dogs and Cats

As somewho has owned and does own both 
(multiples usually), let me say this: 

Both dogs and cats will come if you call them. 
Especially if they happen to associate such 
summonings with good things such as food, 
being scratched behind the ears, etc. 

I heard of a recent study by some 
psychologists/cognitive scientists that 
compared cats and dogs to human infants. 
They fixed the average dog-mental-age at 
about 24 months (based on what the dog 
could do/remember/how it reacted) and the 
average cat at 18 months. One of the most 
interesting points was during an interview one 
of the scientists was asked about the old belief 
that cats are real smart, just independent 
minded. His reply went something to the effect 
"When you talk to a Cat, and they give you that 
blank stare, it doesn't mean they're assigning 
you some inconsequential status. Honestly, they 
just don't get it. Period." 

At our house, the dog gives way to the cat(s) 
going into his dish and sampling what they 
want. Some would say this is a reflection of the 
pecking order, but I think not. My dog (a yellow 
lab) doesn't have a nasty bone in his body (if 
he did, the cats would be lunch) - I think he's 
just more willing to share and he knows the cats 
won't eat much (and he'll scarf whatever they 
leave in their dishes anyway, so he comes out 
ahead). 

Remember: Dogs adore you for who you are. 
Cats adore you for what you can do for them 
(or have done for them lately). :) 
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Mr. Thomas Barclay
Software Developer & Systems Analyst
thomas.barclay@stargrunt.ca
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