Cats Grrrrrr!!!!
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Regular Joe
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I own 2 big dogs and 2 cats. I don't care much for the felines because they are so ill-mannered. My dogs have been trained and are obedient. But the funny here is, these cats are learning the ways of living in a dog's world - which is my home. We have the alpha male (head dog) and that is ME. Every animal living with me learns that. I love how the cats are learning. Even though I don't particularly care for them, I admire their innate ability to LEARN from humans, AND from the dogs!
They are no doubt smart creatures, and they LEARN. That means REPSONSIBLE OWNERS can TRAIN cats in the same way RESPONSIBLE OWNERS train dogs. My trainer told me so. But not only that, the cats living life at my home also tell me so.
My dogs are very big, and they bark like all dogs, and they poop bigger than me. Now if I turn those dogs loose and let them run free, they WILL VIOLATE BOUNDARIES of my neighbors. As a pet owner, I learned that if I want respect from my neighbors, I respect them. My dogs understand what "QUIET! Good dog!" means. They don't bark excessively because I trained them to be "good canine citizens". They are a domesticated species, and live in a big city urban setting which means they live among other humans who have a right to peace, quiet, and the comforts of living in a home which they pay money for.
I adopted those two cats, "Puss" and "Green Eyes". They are both from the same litter and have been sisters living together for 8 years. I hated the circumstances in which I became the "volunteer" to adopt them. But the girl I adopted them from has Crohn's disease, and is pretty much functionally disabled and can't work. She had to give up her home and her cats that she loves dearly. She now lives with her sister and family which is very hard for a former Registered Nurse used to independent living in her own home.
I adopted the cats because I care about the girl (not my girlfriend either), and care enough about domestic animals to understand how they get traumatized by abandonment. These cats had a drastic change in their environment. They have learned to live with two very big dogs without fights. They are learning the ways of "the pack". All four can very easily be in the same room together, and they often are. They hang out. They've become friends.
With that, I've had to learn how to train these ill-mannered animals because their former owner didn't have the knowledge that they actually could be trained to stay off the counters. To not "mooch" food while the head dog is eating. To stay in the yard or close enough to be ready to come in when called in. It's an amzing thing foer me to watch. Actually it's entertaining. One cat goes out and in right behind the dogs, in alpha order mind you! She's a smart animal. I wouldn't let them out at first because they are declawed and don't stand much of a fighting chance.
But "Green Eyes" learned this "in and out alpha order" of things COMPLETELY on her own. I didn't train her. She trained herself. I got sick of her trying to sneak out, so I let her out with the dogs. She watched them, and did exactly what they do. She goes to the boundaries of the fence, and stays in the yard. She eats grass and throws up - just like the dogs. She stays near the dogs because she knows their size, and takes advantage of being protected because the dogs are not afraid of much. When all of them get tired of being outside, they congregate by the door. The alpha female dog on the porch deck, the second dog on the bottom of the stairs, and "Green Eyes" sitting on top of the dog house. I open the door, and they come in, right in order. Amazing and entertaining.
The other cat just won't do outside. She doesn't want any part of it.
Green Eyes has learned not to "mooch", because she discovered the reward is getting fed after I eat. Just like the dogs. Both cats now understand my words "Stop MOOCHING". They walk away because they know I don't want to be disturbed while eating.
So this is a very long way of saying, whether you own dogs or cats, they can and will learn the ways of living that YOU teach them. If you teach a dog or a cat that it's OK to disturb or upset your neighbor by doing whatever annoying "natural" animal behavior they do, then you're not showing respect for your fellow man. End of story. You don't care enough about your neighbor to offer him/her respect.
You also don't care enough about your animal or your neighborhood enough to make a small RESPECTFUL sacrifice of learning how to have a domestic animal be safe in her environment AND to become a "good canine or feline citizen" that can get along in the world outside your door. It can be done if you're up to the challenge. Predation is often unecessary any longer. It's prudent for all of us to have respect for endangered animals.
It's far more entertaining to me watching these goofy 4-legged's figure out life within their boundaries and limitiations, then to be entertained by "watching the kill". It's histerical watching a cat actually study and learn how to be a dog, then become one. Even though I don't like their ways, I really have to give both of them credit and respect. Regarding rodents? Any one of those dogs or cats would rise to the occasion to pounce on anything they know shouldn't be violating their territorial boundaries - it's instinctive. But outside my yard, outside my fenced in boundary, or even inside my home when you come over to visit, those animals also rise to the occasion and become "good citizens" by greeting you and being friendly, and not "mooching" your food or drink.
Someone said it above. Responsibility. Respect. Politeness. Good manners. Most of us were taught this way. There is no reason we can't teach our animals, that have the capacity, to do the same.
They are no doubt smart creatures, and they LEARN. That means REPSONSIBLE OWNERS can TRAIN cats in the same way RESPONSIBLE OWNERS train dogs. My trainer told me so. But not only that, the cats living life at my home also tell me so.
My dogs are very big, and they bark like all dogs, and they poop bigger than me. Now if I turn those dogs loose and let them run free, they WILL VIOLATE BOUNDARIES of my neighbors. As a pet owner, I learned that if I want respect from my neighbors, I respect them. My dogs understand what "QUIET! Good dog!" means. They don't bark excessively because I trained them to be "good canine citizens". They are a domesticated species, and live in a big city urban setting which means they live among other humans who have a right to peace, quiet, and the comforts of living in a home which they pay money for.
I adopted those two cats, "Puss" and "Green Eyes". They are both from the same litter and have been sisters living together for 8 years. I hated the circumstances in which I became the "volunteer" to adopt them. But the girl I adopted them from has Crohn's disease, and is pretty much functionally disabled and can't work. She had to give up her home and her cats that she loves dearly. She now lives with her sister and family which is very hard for a former Registered Nurse used to independent living in her own home.
I adopted the cats because I care about the girl (not my girlfriend either), and care enough about domestic animals to understand how they get traumatized by abandonment. These cats had a drastic change in their environment. They have learned to live with two very big dogs without fights. They are learning the ways of "the pack". All four can very easily be in the same room together, and they often are. They hang out. They've become friends.
With that, I've had to learn how to train these ill-mannered animals because their former owner didn't have the knowledge that they actually could be trained to stay off the counters. To not "mooch" food while the head dog is eating. To stay in the yard or close enough to be ready to come in when called in. It's an amzing thing foer me to watch. Actually it's entertaining. One cat goes out and in right behind the dogs, in alpha order mind you! She's a smart animal. I wouldn't let them out at first because they are declawed and don't stand much of a fighting chance.
But "Green Eyes" learned this "in and out alpha order" of things COMPLETELY on her own. I didn't train her. She trained herself. I got sick of her trying to sneak out, so I let her out with the dogs. She watched them, and did exactly what they do. She goes to the boundaries of the fence, and stays in the yard. She eats grass and throws up - just like the dogs. She stays near the dogs because she knows their size, and takes advantage of being protected because the dogs are not afraid of much. When all of them get tired of being outside, they congregate by the door. The alpha female dog on the porch deck, the second dog on the bottom of the stairs, and "Green Eyes" sitting on top of the dog house. I open the door, and they come in, right in order. Amazing and entertaining.
The other cat just won't do outside. She doesn't want any part of it.
Green Eyes has learned not to "mooch", because she discovered the reward is getting fed after I eat. Just like the dogs. Both cats now understand my words "Stop MOOCHING". They walk away because they know I don't want to be disturbed while eating.
So this is a very long way of saying, whether you own dogs or cats, they can and will learn the ways of living that YOU teach them. If you teach a dog or a cat that it's OK to disturb or upset your neighbor by doing whatever annoying "natural" animal behavior they do, then you're not showing respect for your fellow man. End of story. You don't care enough about your neighbor to offer him/her respect.
You also don't care enough about your animal or your neighborhood enough to make a small RESPECTFUL sacrifice of learning how to have a domestic animal be safe in her environment AND to become a "good canine or feline citizen" that can get along in the world outside your door. It can be done if you're up to the challenge. Predation is often unecessary any longer. It's prudent for all of us to have respect for endangered animals.
It's far more entertaining to me watching these goofy 4-legged's figure out life within their boundaries and limitiations, then to be entertained by "watching the kill". It's histerical watching a cat actually study and learn how to be a dog, then become one. Even though I don't like their ways, I really have to give both of them credit and respect. Regarding rodents? Any one of those dogs or cats would rise to the occasion to pounce on anything they know shouldn't be violating their territorial boundaries - it's instinctive. But outside my yard, outside my fenced in boundary, or even inside my home when you come over to visit, those animals also rise to the occasion and become "good citizens" by greeting you and being friendly, and not "mooching" your food or drink.
Someone said it above. Responsibility. Respect. Politeness. Good manners. Most of us were taught this way. There is no reason we can't teach our animals, that have the capacity, to do the same.
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That's so cool, Joe, I'm glad you shared your experience! My husband had a stray cat come into his yard with two dogs and learned how to get along with them. He thought they would kill the cat but she knew her place in the order of things. The dogs would actually take some of their food out of the dish and set it aside for her to eat. They even let her have one of the dog houses and they shared the other one.
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Thanks for sharing, Joe! I love hearing stories about animals living cohesively in the same environment 
Jeannette - That is the cutest story. Dogs sharing with cats, awww!
Jeannette - That is the cutest story. Dogs sharing with cats, awww!
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That's a great post, Joe. I can just picture all of these animals living together and it warms my heart. At one time, I had two dogs and three cats living all together, and much like you experienced, the cats became 'part of the pack'. And, Jeanette, that is a very sweet story.
On a related note, on my way out this morning the neighbourhood tom came up to me and was being very friendly, as usual. He'd been living under a neighbour's porch since early spring. I had tried to put him in my car before but he freaked out. Today, I fed him a big bowl of shrimp and cuttlefish (the only proteins I had in my fridge!), a nice drink of fresh water, and after that he was purring and chirping away. I popped him into a cardboard box with holes and drove him to the local Humane Society... Yes, there is a possibility that he will be euthanized; but he was scratched up and had an infected foot that definitely needed to be looked at. With how friendly he is, I hope someone will adopt him. It broke my heart, but I couldn't keep him. I hope I gave him another chance at life; I have seen too many cats in the area get hit by cars (I live in a high-traffic area), I wouldn't be ok if I saw him splattered on the road next week... I hope I did the right thing.
On a related note, on my way out this morning the neighbourhood tom came up to me and was being very friendly, as usual. He'd been living under a neighbour's porch since early spring. I had tried to put him in my car before but he freaked out. Today, I fed him a big bowl of shrimp and cuttlefish (the only proteins I had in my fridge!), a nice drink of fresh water, and after that he was purring and chirping away. I popped him into a cardboard box with holes and drove him to the local Humane Society... Yes, there is a possibility that he will be euthanized; but he was scratched up and had an infected foot that definitely needed to be looked at. With how friendly he is, I hope someone will adopt him. It broke my heart, but I couldn't keep him. I hope I gave him another chance at life; I have seen too many cats in the area get hit by cars (I live in a high-traffic area), I wouldn't be ok if I saw him splattered on the road next week... I hope I did the right thing.
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You definitely did the humane thing Sharon. We all know what abcesses feel like and that poor kitty must have been suffering. I'm sure since he's tame that they will try to place him.
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You absolutely did the right thing Sharon. How kind of you to care about this unfortunate animal. Most people simply look the other way.
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Sharon - You definitely did the right thing! I hope the kitty makes it.
At one of our old apartments there was a stray kitty that we always saw wandering around the parking lot. She always came up to us meowing and wanting attention. We never really petted her because we had 2 cats and didn't want to bring in any disease or germs. then one time we noticed her back legs looked strange - almost like she had been attacked or run over and they didn't heal properly. She was starting to look emaciated too. Since she was so friendly we thought she was someone's cat that let her out every once in a while, but when we saw she was basically starving we started feeding her and then decided to take her to the vet to get her checked out. We had been planning on getting her treated then setting her free again, but it was too late. We fell in love and now she's a part of our family. Oh, and her legs turned out fine. She had joint problems which were fixed with condroitin and glucosamine tablets. But someone definitely abandoned her because when we took her to the vet she had been spayed, but no chip. We love her.
At one of our old apartments there was a stray kitty that we always saw wandering around the parking lot. She always came up to us meowing and wanting attention. We never really petted her because we had 2 cats and didn't want to bring in any disease or germs. then one time we noticed her back legs looked strange - almost like she had been attacked or run over and they didn't heal properly. She was starting to look emaciated too. Since she was so friendly we thought she was someone's cat that let her out every once in a while, but when we saw she was basically starving we started feeding her and then decided to take her to the vet to get her checked out. We had been planning on getting her treated then setting her free again, but it was too late. We fell in love and now she's a part of our family.
Oh, and her legs turned out fine. She had joint problems which were fixed with condroitin and glucosamine tablets. But someone definitely abandoned her because when we took her to the vet she had been spayed, but no chip. We love her.The shear fact he let you pick him up an be put into a box without ripping you to shreads is a good sign, especially seeing as he was injured
if the nueter him he will also loose some of his aggressiveness, which will assist in being fostered out to a new home
all depends on how well am quick he can heal
definetly the right thing to do, nobody or no animal deserves to suffer, and the animal shelters etc are usually good enough an humane enough to decide what's best for the animals, in saying that they always try the most to save an animal
if the nueter him he will also loose some of his aggressiveness, which will assist in being fostered out to a new home
all depends on how well am quick he can heal
definetly the right thing to do, nobody or no animal deserves to suffer, and the animal shelters etc are usually good enough an humane enough to decide what's best for the animals, in saying that they always try the most to save an animal
Oh and speaking of shaving cats, I'm in the process of shaving one of mine as he's been panting at night and that's the coolest its going to get around here. I think its going to take me a few days to get it all done by myself. We don't have the money to do it professionally and its not impossible to do it on your own. You just have to take your time and give them breaks when they need it. So far so good but I only have his back done so far. Next is the dreaded belly. O.O
The hardest part Is getting them used too the buzzing an vibrating of the clippers
I stopped trapping the cats as I figured I'd caught them all after not gettin any for a while
until the other night when somethin dreadful happened, not gonna say what as it wasn't nice
so for safety I've started again
I stopped trapping the cats as I figured I'd caught them all after not gettin any for a while
until the other night when somethin dreadful happened, not gonna say what as it wasn't nice
so for safety I've started again
We have a FAT cat right now - came from a shelter that said she was a 'stray' that had been dropped off - this stray spent the first 2 weeks with us curled on my lap every chance she had.....
It will be interesting when we finally get a dog (maybe next year) to see how she reacts lol....
My last cat used to in/out - would usually come when I called- until one night she didn't come and I found her the next morning....:frown: She surbvived years in the 'city' going in/out - move to the country and I lose her......
Thankfully Moo-shoo doesn't stray far from the house when she is out - she likes to watch out daughter play and just hang out.....
It will be interesting when we finally get a dog (maybe next year) to see how she reacts lol....
My last cat used to in/out - would usually come when I called- until one night she didn't come and I found her the next morning....:frown: She surbvived years in the 'city' going in/out - move to the country and I lose her......
Thankfully Moo-shoo doesn't stray far from the house when she is out - she likes to watch out daughter play and just hang out.....
Astra
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Hi guys
Oh My God, I've just read all that! Soooooooo glad I didn't join the debate, cos as you know
I HATE CATS!
A cat ate 7 of my ducklings, and stood there and laughed in my face! EVIL!
and I love Cindy's Dad for saying 'the best cat is a dead cat'
follow our other thread 'which animal makes the best pet?
A dog does (IMO)
no contest!
as for the debate, no-one is right, no-one is wrong, freedom of speech and all that jazz!
Oh My God, I've just read all that! Soooooooo glad I didn't join the debate, cos as you know
I HATE CATS!
A cat ate 7 of my ducklings, and stood there and laughed in my face! EVIL!
and I love Cindy's Dad for saying 'the best cat is a dead cat'
follow our other thread 'which animal makes the best pet?
A dog does (IMO)
no contest!
as for the debate, no-one is right, no-one is wrong, freedom of speech and all that jazz!
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I really am not looking to argue with people and I agree everyone has a right to their own opinion, but what I don't understand is why people have to have such animosity towards certain animals. And a LOT of it is towards cats.
I'm not trying to make this into cat lovers vs. dog lovers (even though it already has gone in that direction several times), but I don't really hear people say "I hate dogs" and "the best dog is a dead dog." (Not targeting you Joan, just using those phrases as examples) Maybe it's because the mentality is ingrained into us that dogs are "man's best friend," I don't know.
I don't respond a lot to the dog vs. cat debate because I know people are really passionate about their feelings on both sides, and that's fine. I guess I'm hoping people from all sides might think more carefully about what they are saying because it can come off as an attack. I do have a fond love for cats and it upsets me when I read some of the comments about them, but more importantly I am an animal lover and would be sad to hear negative comments about any animal. People will have their preferences of favorite animals, but I wish we could all respect each other in the process.
Anyway, sorry for hijacking the thread, Rob. I just wanted to share my thoughts.
I'm not trying to make this into cat lovers vs. dog lovers (even though it already has gone in that direction several times), but I don't really hear people say "I hate dogs" and "the best dog is a dead dog." (Not targeting you Joan, just using those phrases as examples) Maybe it's because the mentality is ingrained into us that dogs are "man's best friend," I don't know.
I don't respond a lot to the dog vs. cat debate because I know people are really passionate about their feelings on both sides, and that's fine. I guess I'm hoping people from all sides might think more carefully about what they are saying because it can come off as an attack. I do have a fond love for cats and it upsets me when I read some of the comments about them, but more importantly I am an animal lover and would be sad to hear negative comments about any animal. People will have their preferences of favorite animals, but I wish we could all respect each other in the process.
Anyway, sorry for hijacking the thread, Rob. I just wanted to share my thoughts.
Astra
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Hiya Marisa
I think you're right about everyone loving dogs, over cats, and just wanted to say that I am a passionate animal lover and feel guilty killing an ant! I would never see any animal hurt or harmed in any way! Not even a cat!
I adore big cats, tigers, leopards etc, but I just think that domestic cats are idle good for nothing layabouts who kill for kicks, and I think they're sly and wouldn't trust one as far as I could throw it! (not that I ever would throw one)
and I say the best cat is a dead cat in total jest
don't take offence, it's just my warped sense of humour
xxxx
I think you're right about everyone loving dogs, over cats, and just wanted to say that I am a passionate animal lover and feel guilty killing an ant! I would never see any animal hurt or harmed in any way! Not even a cat!
I adore big cats, tigers, leopards etc, but I just think that domestic cats are idle good for nothing layabouts who kill for kicks, and I think they're sly and wouldn't trust one as far as I could throw it! (not that I ever would throw one)
and I say the best cat is a dead cat in total jest
don't take offence, it's just my warped sense of humour
xxxx
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I can see both sides because I love cats AND dogs. But I don't appreciate people allowing stray and annoying animals that disrupt the neighborhood or going outside to the aroma of cat spray. Or stepping in any kind of animal poo. I currently have my new dog sleeping with his head on my lap and later I'll be feeding the 3 ferrel kittens that just got neutered this week and returned to my yard. Still don't know what I'm gonna do with them. And the dog was going to the animal control to be put down if I didn't bring him home. My dad use to say I took in strays like his mom did, but if they were ill or there was not enough food or for any reason an animal was suffering, she would kill it instead of seeing it suffer. I just take them in. I am such a sucker!
ameslouise
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All you cat lovers, let me know where you live because I am shipping you one ANNOYING scraggly white stray that has been crying outside for the last hour!!! I'm just too lazy to go upstairs and get the Super Soaker!!!
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It is interesting, the animosity towards cats! I, too, am a cat lover. I much prefer them to dogs, partly because I have allergy issues with dogs, and also because cats are so much easier and don't require so much looking after!
The thing bothering me here is the attitude towards stray cats. IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT!!! If they are hanging around it is because they are hungry. The fact that there are stray cats at all is because of humans. We are the ones who domesticated them and then so many people have cats which they either don't look after (so they go elsewhere) or don't get neutered, and so they do what all animals do - they breed.
I think it is humans we need to have a problem with, not the animals themselves. They are just being animals and trying to survive - we are the ones that created them!!!
The thing bothering me here is the attitude towards stray cats. IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT!!! If they are hanging around it is because they are hungry. The fact that there are stray cats at all is because of humans. We are the ones who domesticated them and then so many people have cats which they either don't look after (so they go elsewhere) or don't get neutered, and so they do what all animals do - they breed.
I think it is humans we need to have a problem with, not the animals themselves. They are just being animals and trying to survive - we are the ones that created them!!!
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Absolutely agree with Sharon!
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I agree with Sharon too. It's not the animals fault that they are turned loose to fend for themselves because a human didn't want to take responsiblity. I was concerned about a neighbor getting upset if I trap a cat that belongs to someone, assuming it's a stray and getting it neutered in the trap/neuter/release program. The program people explained there is a $500 fine for allowing a pet out unsupervised so if they complain it means they claim ownership and be charged the fine. I've helped get 6 stray cats neutered this week. We still have strays, but we are stopping the cycle. I think it will make a difference.
Slightly off topic... A dog is a Crohnie's best friend... He is the only creature that likes your farts!
just to let you all know why i've moved this thread into the Lounge.
there are some pretty strong opinions being aired in here, and it is likely that a lot of the posts are offensive and/or upsetting to a large number of people who may read this thread.
having read through it from page 1 to present again, i'm concerned that it could actually put people off joining our forum, and have therefore put it back here in the Zone.
i hope you all understand.
thanks.
there are some pretty strong opinions being aired in here, and it is likely that a lot of the posts are offensive and/or upsetting to a large number of people who may read this thread.
having read through it from page 1 to present again, i'm concerned that it could actually put people off joining our forum, and have therefore put it back here in the Zone.
i hope you all understand.
thanks.
