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Sat 30 Nov, 2002 05:09 am
A quote from a vet on radio this morning:
"Dogs have masters & cats have slaves."
Does this accurately describe YOUR relationship with the critter in your life?
There's been a study on dog behavior and lineage put out recently. Says that all domestic dogs did descend from wolves (it had been contended) quite some time ago. Native in the americas had domesticated dogs pre-columbus. Dogs can read tiny little bits of human body language (even, I think, if it's not 'their' human). Wolves can't read humans at all.
I wish they'd do a study on cats.
Trust me, k. Cats read body language like a book. Even 6 or 8 week old Leto can read the difference between "I'm going to get held" and "I'm getting stuffed into the carrier and going to the vet again."
But you already knew that.
I think the relationship between my doggy and us is more like the parent/child relationship -- and I certainly don't think that is a master/slave relationship at all.
Jenny listens when she thinks it is to her advantage (and when it is absolutely demanded of her), but she feels she must continuously 'test'. And she can be downright demanding when she feels a need for some petting. When she is hurting, we are her comforters; and when she is afraid, we are her protectors. But we are not ever really her masters.
Anyone who owns a poodle knows that the dog is the master and the owner is the slave!
roger, my cat doesn't know the difference unless the crate is in his field of vision. He's inbred from NM......
Lemme think on that a little while.
And you think I'm picking on you, roger?
My dog was bred for his job, and sometimes I am his job, which works out.
But sometimes his job develops sidelines that I don't find applicable to the main job, ahem.
Iam not his slave or he mine. Well, let us call us very friendly associates.
As long as I see to it there is food, water, shelter, and playthings available, and follow the "Romping Schedule", my dogs let me do just about anything I want. They are very kind to me in that way. They will, however, kibutz and offer suggestions of varying degrees of helpfulness at times I am occupied with matters outside their direct sphere of interest.
timber
I am the alpha-female in our pack - which makes me top dog. Thank goodness. I am however, a very very very very benevolant top dog. Ask any small dog requiring love and treats. I'm there for them.
The basic question, it seems to me, is who picks up who's pooh?
That's a fairly definitive test.
Glad to see that most of you have more democratic relationships with your critter/s than what exists here!
The "pooh" question is an interesting one .... Luckily for me, mine do it in the garden, so we're not forced to test the pecking order on that one. Just as well!
I try to convince myself that my menagerie & I are like a family, doing what we can for each other & taking SOME responsibilities for our own chores, etc. .... but to be honest I feel like I'm running a cts' holiday resort!
Master/slave I think my relationship with Carlotta and Bean is both. When it is time to eat I am the master but when it is time to clean the cat box and pick up the pooh, I am the slave. But the rewards far out weight a little bit of cleaning up after them.
Bean definitely would have been and alpha bitch if she had not been abused which makes her very difficult at times. Some times I suspect that is why she was abused she. So she ends up being both bossy and needy.
Carlotta, chose me, and well we have a working agreement.
I wouldn't call me the cats' slave - but they do tell me what they expect me to do. So we test who has more power from time to time. But they are also so cuddly and sweet - so of course I will clean the litter box and feed them. I guess we just love each other.
)
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