Pets

[LHC]

I'm a cat person. But a dog can be a fabulous companion to a lonely, elderly person...and often to someone with mental health problems.
However I agree with the posts above which suggest that not everyone should love dogs. Three examples:

1. A certain gardening programme on BBC TV that highlights a dog
2. The Antiques Roadshow...always including a few momentary shots of dogs
3. The magazine Practical Boat Owner which features 'a Seadog of the Month' picture

What have dogs got to do with gardening, antiques or sailing? Particularly antiques. A positive menace to the Meissen.

I suspect dogs are featured on Antiques Roadshow because people attending the roadshow take them with them and they make useful 'filler' shots between items, along with shots of young children playing and doing cartwheels etc (probably also a menace to the Meissen). Dog owners do often takes their dogs for walks, to the pub, etc.

I think its quite rare for people to take other pets out for walks, although I did know someone who used to take their cat out for a walk and kept them on a lead while doing so. Consequently, I think we are unlikely to see any shots of cats or hamsters on the Antiques Roadshow anytime soon.

[french frank]

Children don't routinely defecate and urinate in the street.

Nor, unlike cats, in other people's gardens.

Dogs are a double reponsibility on their owners: to the dogs, to provide for their needs and ensure they are properly exercised; and to the general public to ensure their dogs aren't a nuisance (in particular to dog-haters! or those not used to dogs). Dogs trained from puppyhood to 'socialise' with other dogs and that are properly trained to remain under control do - in my opinion - give back far more to their owners than cats can, in loyalty, trust, companionship and more. But the responsibility is greater than in having a cat and if people aren't willing to take on the responsibility, they shouldn't have a dog. Just don't blame the dogs for 'misbehaviour'.

[jayne lee wilson]

Nor, unlike cats, in other people's gardens.

Dogs are a double reponsibility on their owners: to the dogs, to provide for their needs and ensure they are properly exercised; and to the general public to ensure their dogs aren't a nuisance (in particular to dog-haters! or those not used to dogs). Dogs trained from puppyhood to 'socialise' with other dogs and that are properly trained to remain under control do - in my opinion - give back far more to their owners than cats can, in loyalty, trust, companionship and more. But the responsibility is greater than in having a cat and if people aren't willing to take on the responsibility, they shouldn't have a dog. Just don't blame the dogs for 'misbehaviour'.

Of course dogs need responsible owners; who are as I said above, entirely responsible for the dogs' behaviour, learned and conditioned from puppyhood, especially towards other people.

Have you never lived longterm with a Cat? You're wrong about them - they can offer wonderfully rewarding love and fun and friendship. (What exactly does "loyalty" mean in domestic animal terms? None of my own long-term feline companions (four across 40 years...) ever ran out on me when I needed them....even strays and ferals can become trustful and affectionate beyond the provider-bond...).

[teamsaint]

Of course dogs need responsible owners; who are as I said above, entirely responsible for the dogs' behaviour, learned and conditioned from puppyhood, especially towards other people.

Have you never lived longterm with a Cat? You're wrong about them - they can offer wonderfully rewarding love and fun and friendship. (What exactly does "loyalty" mean in domestic animal terms? None of my own long-term feline companions (four across 40 years...) ever ran out on me when I needed them....even strays and ferals can become trustful and affectionate beyond the provider-bond...).

Completely agree Jayne. Cats do give a lot back, you just need to tune in. Though they don’t fetch your slippers or sledge down snowy slopes…..

It horses for courses…..

( cats can read very subtle signs, at the right times.)

[french frank]

Have you never lived longterm with a Cat?

We had cats (two when I was a child), but as we lived in the country they spent less time around the house or with the family. They sort of came and went as they wished.

You're wrong about them - they can offer wonderfully rewarding love and fun and friendship. (What exactly does "loyalty" mean in domestic animal terms? None of my own long-term feline companions (four across 40 years...) ever ran out on me when I needed them....even strays and ferals can become trustful and affectionate beyond the provider-bond...).

I wasn't denying the rewards they offer. That why they are "pets". But I think there's a wider variety of reactions from dogs because they share a wider range of activities with their owners especially out of doors (walks, play, being trained with other dogs) and they learn to respond in these varied situations. By "loyalty"(pathetic fallacy - probably) I'm referring to well-publicised actions - like "Boncuk" who sat outside the hospital where her owner had been taken until he was discharged. Other dogs have understood their owner was in some sort of trouble - ill or injured - and either gone to seek help or attract attention in some way. Dogs are certainly said to understand when their owner is emotionally upset. Don't know if cats are the same.

But this was intended as a riposte to those less keen on dogs rather than against cats. Pets are pets, especially dogs and cats, and are valued by their owners - or should be. There must be 50 - 100 dogs taken on to the local Common for exercise and play. The least one can say is that they're a comedy show. Even as a dog lover, I would never try to pat or approach a strange dog - and I don't find any jumping, biting or slobbering over me either. (And the Common is amazingly clean given the number of dogs taken there every day.)

[jayne lee wilson]

I've lived with Cats who loved coming for walks down the road, not on a leash but staying close except - when dogs approached and they'd scurry under the nearest hedge to wait their passing; then rejoin me. They decided to do this themselves, not from any calls or prompting.

So we often took these walks in the later evening, after dark. Even one of my current strays has done this, quite often. It's a lot of fun for them. Walks are still beyond me now, but If I was out for a walk alone and he spotted me from another garden he'd come and say hello, and walk at my side.
And of course cats are very sympathetic, and empathetic, when you're ill or upset; very emotionally aware. But you do have to live with them to know these things and truly understand them, their body language and vocalising (remarkably wideranging and expressive in many Cats, and very individual; you should hear the chirrups and gurgles a Norwegian likes to address to you...), just as with any other species.

The more you give to them, the more they give back...

[Dave2002]

Children don't routinely defecate and urinate in the street.

Yes, but they don’t grow up and travel the world by cars or planes or ships, and behave as though that doesn’t matter.

Or start wars using weapons we can barely imagine.

That’s a different way of looking at things.

Humans are very damaging to the planet.

[french frank]

The more you give to them, the more they give back...

Yes! I think this applies to cats and dogs and I think this creates the real 'bond' which is the reward in having a companionable pet.

[PatrickMurtha]

I have eight companion animals that I love more than anything in the world. I never say that I “own” them, first because it’s vulgar, and second because if there is any owning going on, I am pretty sure it’s in the other direction. There are six indoor cats, all adopted - five are probably American Shorthairs, and one is a Birman (mix?). I have two dogs. The younger is a short-haired Husky mix, and the older is a Scoodle (Scottish Terrier / Miniature Poodle). All the animals are extremely affectionate, and the Husky is a complete love bug. Most of them sleep with me at night - it’s a little crowded.

There is a rift between one of the younger cats and two of the older ones, but I have a lot of rooms so it is manageable. Otherwise everyone gets along really well. The dogs are very fond of the cats, and the cats (even the squabblers) behave in an unusually family-like way, for cats.

[Dave2002]

There is a rift between one of the younger cats and two of the older ones, but I have a lot of rooms so it is manageable. Otherwise everyone gets along really well. The dogs are very fond of the cats, and the cats (even the squabblers) behave in an unusually family-like way, for cats.

Do cats and dogs often get along, or do you think yours are exceptional? I recently saw a dog go wild after a cat - though maybe the dog wasn't familiarised to cats. Is there inate behaviour in this regard, or can that kind of behaviour be altered by training?

[Pianorak]

I have two dogs. The younger is a short-haired Husky mix, and the older is a Scoodle (Scottish Terrier / Miniature Poodle).

Rescue dogs?

[PatrickMurtha]

My two dogs were obtained as puppies through ordinary Mexican channels, so not rescues. I really like to do my own training from puppyhood on, so I have never adopted an adult dog. Puppies are also much more acceptable when you introduce them to adult cats.

[smittims]

I've given a hiome to cats more than once, but in my seventies and a fully-paid-up member of the RSPB I thought I shouldn't do so again. However , I nearly did recently when someone locally was desperate to find a home for a stray they had found. I said I would have him if no-one else could, but fortunately someone claimed him before I had to decide.

[PatrickMurtha]

I've given a hiome to cats more than once, but in my seventies and a fully-paid-up member of the RSPB I thought I shouldn't do so again. However , I nearly did recently when someone locally was desperate to find a home for a stray they had found. I said I would have him if no-one else could, but fortunately someone claimed him before I had to decide.

I have to be careful to try not to be aware of animals needing homes because I am kind of at capacity, and I have no line of resistance against animals, none whatsoever, I just melt. I could probably manage one more kitten if the situation came up (see how I think?).

[vinteuil]

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-67331308

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