NationStates Jolt Archive

I prefer a dog to a cat (although I have one cat). I especially prefer a dog that is smart.

I have a Belgian Malinois who is going to be a year old in February. I've found that he's much, much more fun than any cat I've ever had.

Which do you prefer (if you have a preference), and why?

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/jtkwon/sergeant/10JUL2007033.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/jtkwon/sergeant/10JUL2007041.jpg

Dogs. They'll put thier lives on the line to save their master. Cats won't.

cats, partly because i'm allergic to dogs, but partly just cos cats are awesome. i much prefer the indipendence of cats, i think cats are nicer looking (and way cuter), less intrusive, less noisy, don't need walks, clean up their own crap, and can mostly take care of themselves. they're more like another person in the family than a needlessly affectionate and dependent pet - you have to treat cats with almost as much respect as you would a human, and i like that.

but then i've never had a dog, so i'm highly biased :p

Dogs. They'll put thier lives on the lione to save their master. Cats won't.

I'd back the lion though.

EDIT: I prefer dogs to cats but don't really like either. If you were small and they were big, either would quite happily eat a human.

Dogs. They'll put thier lives on the lione to save their master. Cats won't.

Taipei - A stray cat has saved the life of a man who fell into an open toilet and was stuck there for two days, a newspaper reported on Sunday.

http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2446420,00.html

Do you need more links?

Dogs - They enjoy being a part of teh pack whilst cats tolerate it (barely)

Zoe and Jacob:My parents dogs.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/time_lapse/PC040015.jpg

http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2446420,00.html

Do you need more links?

Huh. Probably only did it so it could snicker at other cats: "It was that one. Right in, he was. Covered in the stuff. Even on his face lol."

http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2446420,00.html

Do you need more links?

WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT?! The cat only saved him by proxy. It didn't stop meowing for it's food.

another great thing about cats: their evil genius ;)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4rb8aOzy9t4

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ffwDYo00Q

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=s13dLaTIHSg&feature=channel

:D

Cats.

Dogs are idiotic.

Barking all time... bah humbug, why don't they get a real job.

Cats are Jerks, Dogs love you unconditionally.

Kittehs! A recent survey found that ninety percent of forty to sixty year olds who prefer dogs to cats have killed and eaten at least one of their own children.

Hotwife - what did you cat do so that you prefer Dogs?

I have a 6 month old Kitten. He's kind of a pain because he gets really frisky, bites my feet and plays really aggressively. He's also really cute and very sweet - he follows me everywhere, he flushes the toilet for me on command, plays fetch and can jump like 6 feet.

A recent survey found that ninety percent of forty to sixty year olds who prefer dogs to cats have killed and eaten at least one of their own children.

Riiight....

Riiight....

Its a ritual, apparently. Dog-lovers are a strange lot.

Its a ritual, apparently. Dog-lovers are a strange lot.

And where did you find it? I know. Nowhere. It's completely made up. I can do the same thing. "90% of people ages 40-60 that like cats have at one point tried to perform a coup agaist the US." See. It's easy.


[P.S.: I am not flaming.]

I like dogs too... personally I just prefer to have a cat. I don't really like people who hate either ...

And where did you find it? I know. Nowhere. It's completely made up. I can do the same thing. "90% of people ages 40-60 that like cats have at one point tried to perform a coup agaist the US." See. It's easy.


[P.S.: I am not flaming.]

Actually I'm only 29 - and how did you find out :confused:

And where did you find it? I know. Nowhere. It's completely made up. I can do the same thing. "90% of people ages 40-60 that like cats have at one point tried to perform a coup agaist the US." See. It's easy.


[P.S.: I am not flaming.]

Its all true. And every one of us failed. No matter how clever our plans, the brilliant mastermind George W. Bush outwitted them all :(

Dogs, but mainly because they have a better fan club. There are no "Crazy Dog People," for instance, and those stupid animal caption things (though they have, to the great shame of all, expanded to canines) started with cats, not dogs.
Though dogs have a reputation for being less intelligent, they're at least as smart as cats. My parents had an Anatolian Shepherd that could count, and knew if he was being shortchanged when he got his night snack.

Its all true. Every one of us failed. No matter how clever our plans, the brilliant mastermind George W. Bush outwitted them all :(
You're 40 to 60 years old?
Wow, I was really off . . .

Actually I'm only 29 - and how did you find out :confused:

MY SPIES! My spies are everywhere. I control ALL the world's governments! *evil laugh*

You're 40 to 60 years old?
Wow, I was really off . . .

Oh God, noes. I'm not a wrinkly. No...I meant 'us' and 'we' as 'cat lovers' in the collective sense, not including my fine young self. I haven't even started basic coup training yet. But one day my time will come.

I have 2 cats and a dog, and can't say I could choose a preference.

Neither. I do not support pet ownership.

Neither. I do not support pet ownership.

Same here. I support animal companionship however. I'd rather have a dog over cat as a friend, unless of course it was some small yappy dog, then you may as well punt it.

Dogs are more fun and useful, but sadly, they can be a bit messy and dirty. I like cats, but only nice cats which are personable, there are far too many which are just awful to be around.

Both, I like cats and dogs. But I must confess I am more of a cat person.

Same here. I support animal companionship however.

While I do not condone bestiality, animals suffer far crueller treatment than so for many other purposes (food industry, clothes manufacture, labour, emotional servitude...) which are perfectly legal, so as long as those remain so, so should bestiality. So, uhm, knock yourself out - you're probably still kinder than any fur trader or milk/beef farmer.

I like both, but I prefer dogs. They are great companions, and can actually do stuff besides be pets. They work for the police, the military, search and rescue, blind people, hunting, and herding livestock. Dogs have been at man's side for over thousands upon thousands of years.

Dogs are awesome.

While I do not condone bestiality, animals suffer far crueller treatment than so for many other purposes (food industry, clothes manufacture, labour, emotional servitude...) which are perfectly legal, so as long as those remain so, so should bestiality. So, uhm, knock yourself out - you're probably still kinder than any fur trader or milk/beef farmer.

I think you may have read into my comment a little far there Fass. but whatever goes on in your dirty little mind is none of my business.

While I do not condone bestiality, animals suffer far crueller treatment than so for many other purposes (food industry, clothes manufacture, labour, emotional servitude...) which are perfectly legal

"Emotional servitude" is now worse than animals being raped?

, so as long as those remain so, so should bestiality.

Two wrongs make a right in Fassitude's little fantasy world. Quaint.

I like both, but I prefer dogs. They are great companions, and can actually do stuff besides be pets. They work for the police, the military, search and rescue, blind people, hunting, and herding livestock. Dogs have been at man's side for over thousands upon thousands of years.

Dogs are awesome.

lol. I hadn't seen the comma in the bolded and italizied part the first time I read it, so I saw: blind people hunting

lol

I think you may have read into my comment a little far there Fass.

Or you slipped a bit on your Freud. Nevertheless, I don't think you'd've more to be ashamed of than a jockey or a carnivore. I do happen to think those have a lot to be ashamed of, but that is inconsequential to societal shaming and taboos.

lol. I hadn't seen the comma in the bolded and italizied part the first time I read it, so I saw: blind people hunting

lol

Lmao!

Or you slipped a bit on your Freud.

Yes, maybe I have, whenever the day comes that companion (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/companion) becomes the equivalent to sexual partner.

Lmao!

Hunting blind people should be REALLY easy!

"Emotional servitude" is now worse than animals being raped?

I don't think the word "rape" is appropriate in that context.
The lack of informed consent to a human standard suggests it, yes, but if you equate bestiality to human rape, you equate humans with animals.

Are you really prepared to extend all human rights to all animals? If so, how?

The jails are going to be pretty full, with all those animals we'll have to punish for raping and murdering each other.

Hunting blind people should be REALLY easy!

Unless they are all like Daredevil from Marvel...

...that is one tough blind dude...

Cats tend to be less needy than dogs so it really depends on the time your willing to spend with the animal

"Emotional servitude" is now worse than animals being raped?

Far more so. Emotional servitude is most likely life-long and connected to servitude in other ways, such as incarceration in a human domicile and removal from a natural habitat just to name one and only so that the wretchedly selfish human might be able to feel a bit less lonely, while sexual contact with an animal in most cases probably doesn't disturb the animal all that much in the act itself (barring of course trauma, but that is usually species dependent and would be amenable to cruelty legislation more than any false morality and hypocrisy that lies behind bestiality laws).

Two wrongs make a right in Fassitude's little fantasy world. Quaint.

Hypocrisy doesn't hide the fact that the person who eats meat causes far, far more suffering than anyone who has sex with an animal, again barring trauma in the latter case. In my ranking of things that should be illegal meat-eating and other such animal exploitation comes a lot higher than bestiality. So, it's more like: "Why ban the lesser harm, when such a much more vile and widespread and horrific one is allowed?" It's a bit like banning spanking, but allowing torture of children. The two evils are nowhere near equivalent, so spare me your hypocrisy. In a perfect world both would be banned, but to ban only the lesser evil because it is not as popular as the far greater one and to do so only from a sanctimonious sense of "morality" and "yuck factor" reeks of intellectual dishonesty and preposterously wilful self-delusion.

Unless they are all like Daredevil from Marvel...

...that is one tough blind dude...

I agree there. Someone must find his weakness!

i like both. they serve 2 different purposes.

and dogs are too servile. you never know if they like you for you or because you are "the big dog". cats you are sure about.

the most surprising thing to me is how much i really like little dogs. my sister and i have fallen into ownership of a malti-poo and a mini daschund. once we got them trained properly they have made the bestest dogs ever. friendly and easy to manage. much better than i ever thought they would be.

and cute as all get-out.

*snip*

lol. emotional servitude??? Do you really think of pets as our slaves? For the most part my cat does what he wants, when he wants... He's really awesome and he's my friend. IMHO - you don't really love animals or you would enjoy their company.

Let me guess you live in a city, your also an environmentalist and you've never gone camping.

ps: my cat kill bugs just for fun.

Cats tend to be less needy than dogs so it really depends on the time your willing to spend with the animal

That's a worthwhile point. Depriving a dog of social interaction (preferably including other dogs) is very cruel. It doesn't seem to worry cats so much, but that's usually because they can get around and meet other cats. They can still be very lonely and bored locked in an apartment all day.

lol. emotional servitude??? Do you really think of pets as our slaves? For the most part my cat does what he wants, when he wants... He's really awesome and he's my friend. IMHO - you don't really love animals or you would enjoy their company.

Let me guess you live in a city, your also an environmentalist and you've never gone camping.

ps: my cat kill bugs just for fun.
oh lord my cat hunts crickets in my house. she loves to chase the hoppy things around.

then she eats them.

yuck

ps: my cat kill bugs just for fun.

I'd be more inclined to say that your cat kills bugs and other critters because it is a predator. Instinct tells it to kill in order to survive. Enjoyment is probably secondary.

lol. emotional servitude??? Do you really think of pets as our slaves? For the most part my cat does what he wants, when he wants... He's really awesome and he's my friend. IMHO - you don't really love animals or you would enjoy their company.

"Friend" and "love" is playing right to Fass's point.

Even I find it a bit stomach-turning not to make a distinction between the "friendship" of an animal and that of a human.

Far more so. Emotional servitude is most likely life-long and connected to servitude in other ways, such as incarceration in a human domicile and removal from a natural habitat

Ah, yes. The natural habitat of the pound.

just to name one and only so that the wretchedly selfish human might be able to feel a bit less lonely,

I'm sure that animals give two shits about how wretchedly selfish humans are.

while sexual contact with an animal in most cases probably doesn't disturb the animal all that much in the act itself (barring of course trauma, but that is usually species dependent and would be amenable to cruelty legislation more than any false morality and hypocrisy that lies behind bestiality laws).

So, animals mind about how "natural" their habitat is, but they don't care about being raped. Hell they probably like it, just like children!

Hypocrisy doesn't hide the fact that the person who eats meat causes far, far more suffering than anyone who has sex with an animal, again barring trauma in the latter case. In my ranking of things that should be illegal meat-eating and other such animal exploitation comes a lot higher than bestiality.

Your argument was that someone who owns a pet is causing far, far more suffering than raping an animal, and as much suffering as killing them for their meat.

Your argument is stupid.

So, it's more like: "Why ban the lesser harm

The 'lesser' harm is already banned, so it's really more like, "Let's make dog-rape legal."

It's a bit like banning spanking, but allowing torture of children.

It's a bit like you equating torture of children to parenting.


In a perfect world both would be banned, but to ban only the lesser evil because it is not as popular as the far greater one and to do so only from a sanctimonious sense of "morality" and "yuck factor" reeks of intellectual dishonesty and preposterously wilful self-delusion.

"In a perfect world both would be banned... but the world isn't perfect so we should allow BOTH!" Mmm. Convincing.

Do you really think of pets as our slaves?

It's just another form of selfish animal exploitation (and one which serves the most pointless of purposes; clothing and sustenance at least I can understand as practically purposeful, even if indefensible, but servitude before a human just to fulfil some misdirected and sinister sense of "affection"?) - one that has seen humans even take control of entire genomes to breed forth those traits which are to them more agreeable. Look a bit into veterinary medicine and how much disease and suffering among pets is because you prefer a shorter snout or a more docile temper or whatever. All of this so you can derive some twisted emotional pleasure from owning an animal. Defend it all you want - the only person you'll manage to fool is yourself, not me.

Dogs. They'll put thier lives on the line to save their master. Cats won't.

I dont need someone to put their life on the line I want an animal that is affectionate reasonable sized, smart enough to contain where it goes to the bathroom, does not need to go outside for any reason when it is -30F and can take care of itself for reasonable lengths of time

"Friend" and "love" is playing right to Fass's point.

Even I find it a bit stomach-turning not to make a distinction between the "friendship" of an animal and that of a human.

No Fass doesn't actually have a point. I can love my cat without having sexual intercourse with him ... if Fass can't understand the difference between sexual and non-sexual relationships that's his problem. I have a friendship with my cat, I feed him, I play with him and I talk to him.

I used to live in the forest in BC and I had animal friends there too, ones which were totally wild. Maintaining a friendship with an animal is not wrong and it's certainly not 'emotional servitude'. Cats are not wild animals they adapt quite nicely to the home - although they do need to go outside sometimes.

...misdirected and sinister sense of "affection"?)

So affection for an animal is misdirected and sinister?

...humans even take control of entire genomes to breed forth those traits which are to them more agreeable. ... blah blah blah ...you prefer a shorter snout or a more docile temper or whatever.

And I'm responsible for this how? I hate to dissapoint you but my cat is not pure bred he's just a normal cat. He's f'ing huge for six months though...

All of this so you can derive some twisted emotional pleasure from owning an animal. Defend it all you want - the only person you'll manage to fool is yourself, not me.

I already told you he does what he wants. I don't think of him as a thing - I think of him as my friend. Do you get some twisted emotional pleasure from inserting your words into others mouths?

I think Fass is in his own little world of anti-human sentiments. I think it'd be best to leave him alone right now.

Being the non-racist that I am, I hate both equally.

My cat was kidnapped and tortured with a lighter (several times); he finally ran away.

My dog is stupid.

I dislike people who are mean to animals.

I dislike people who are mean to animals.

I like to eat beef.

Anyway, I like cats. Someone pointed out that dogs will lay down their lives for you, but, you know, that just makes me have no respect for them. Cats at least have enlightened self-interest.

Besides, getting an animal to be used as a meat shield in case someone attacks you is lame. Wanna defend yourself from humans, get a gun. People will just kill your dog, and probably rape it too. Contrary to what some might say, the dog will appreciate neither getting raped nor killed.

No Fass doesn't actually have a point. I can love my cat without having sexual intercourse with him ... if Fass can't understand the difference between sexual and non-sexual relationships that's his problem. I have a friendship with my cat, I feed him, I play with him and I talk to him.

"Have a friendship with a cat" does make the distinction -- it's a variety of friendship, within the limits of all the things that make a cat and a human different.

"My cat is my friend" on the other hand, says that you'd value their company as much as any human.

Let's use the burning building scenario. You can rescue one human stranger, or one human friend, but not both. It isn't wrong to choose the friend, all else being equal.

Now imagine the choice is between one human stranger or one animal friend, but not both. I say it IS wrong to choose the animal "friend" to save.

I used to live in the forest in BC and I had animal friends there too, ones which were totally wild. Maintaining a friendship with an animal is not wrong and it's certainly not 'emotional servitude'.

It is when the animal is dependent on you.

I have wild animals around where I live, and I like them. I enjoy watching them and hearing their calls. Some of them are curious about my activities, some of them hang around to take the seeds and food from my garden -- but I know for certain that I could buy far more attention and even the semblence of "friendship" simply by feeding them.

I don't kid myself that wild animals are my "friends." That's a status I reserve for other humans, who have the intelligence and the language in common to recognize what I consider "me," the elements of character which make me unique among humans.

Cats are not wild animals the adapt quite nicely to the home - although they do need to go outside sometimes.

Cats are certainly wild animals, if they aren't fed and 'petted' as kittens. You don't want to mess with a feral cat (ie the same species but grown up wild.) They're very dangerous for their size.

Besides, getting an animal to be used as a meat shield in case someone attacks you is lame.

It's worse than that really. The dog can't discriminate between you violating someone else's rights and them violating yours, it will take your side anyway.

At least if you use a gun, the decision to fire is 100% yours. None of this fuzzy responsibility for harming another.

It's just another form of selfish animal exploitation

Selfless exploitation is better.

(and one which serves the most pointless of purposes; clothing and sustenance at least I can understand as practically purposeful, even if indefensible, but servitude before a human just to fulfil some misdirected and sinister sense of "affection"?)

All affection is misdirected--none is sinister.

- one that has seen humans even take control of entire genomes to breed forth those traits which are to them more agreeable.

And castrate their "babies".

Look a bit into veterinary medicine and how much disease and suffering among pets is because you prefer a shorter snout or a more docile temper or whatever. All of this so you can derive some twisted emotional pleasure from owning an animal. Defend it all you want - the only person you'll manage to fool is yourself, not me.

I believe we concur.

I have wild animals around where I live, and I like them. I enjoy watching them and hearing their calls. Some of them are curious about my activities, some of them hang around to take the seeds and food from my garden -- but I know for certain that I could buy far more attention and even the semblence of "friendship" simply by feeding them.


You shouldn't usually feed them. It makes them Dependant on humans - especially in the case of bears. You need to be careful with bears (and avoid cougars altogether). You make friends simply by talking to them and by running into the same animals over an over again.


I don't kid myself that wild animals are my "friends." That's a status I reserve for other humans, who have the intelligence and the language in common to recognize what I consider "me," the elements of character which make me unique among humans.


Yeah conversations with animals are a little one sided - but they do respond. It's mostly your tone of your voice and your attitude they respond to.


Cats are certainly wild animals, if they aren't fed and 'petted' as kittens. You don't want to mess with a feral cat (ie the same species but grown up wild.) They're very dangerous for their size.

You can adopt a feral cat but your probably right that it will probably never let you pet it if it grew up feral. I know some people who did it to a kitten about 6 months old (same age as my cat).

Ignoring Fass's little off topic rant (just so he can revel in his own precieved greater enlightenment, Im sure) and all his arguement's gaping holes, Id have to say I like both equally. I just like animals of any kind. And not in the way that Fass seems to think they would prefer me to like them.

You shouldn't usually feed them. It makes them Dependant on humans - especially in the case of bears. You need to be careful with bears (and avoid cougars altogether).

Luckily, we have neither in Australia. But we have a lot of amazing birds.

If you feed them, they start coming closer to houses and hanging around longer. That exposes them to danger from -- you guessed it -- cats and dogs, though particularly cats. The Australian ecosystem has very few predators (dingos, quolls and eagles but no cats) and so potential prey animals aren't well protected by instincts.

It's kinder, IMHO, to let them take their chances in lean times.

You make friends simply by talking to them and by running into the same animals over an over again.

Not to be unpatriotic, but the distinctive Australian fauna -- marsupials -- are pretty dumb. Maybe they can tell me apart from other humans who might not be so harmless, but I wouldn't count on it. Better that the roos keep their distance I think.

Yeah conversations with animals are a little one sided - but they do respond. It's mostly your tone of your voice and your attitude they respond to.

It's just not my thing, I guess. I don't lay claim to the moral certainty of Fass about others keeping pets, but for my own life I don't want to do it.

I do keep some chickens. While they're a cheerful presence, that's only secondary to getting lovely fresh eggs :)

It's just another form of selfish animal exploitation (and one which serves the most pointless of purposes; clothing and sustenance at least I can understand as practically purposeful, even if indefensible, but servitude before a human just to fulfil some misdirected and sinister sense of "affection"?) - one that has seen humans even take control of entire genomes to breed forth those traits which are to them more agreeable. Look a bit into veterinary medicine and how much disease and suffering among pets is because you prefer a shorter snout or a more docile temper or whatever. All of this so you can derive some twisted emotional pleasure from owning an animal. Defend it all you want - the only person you'll manage to fool is yourself, not me.

ROTFLASTC**

My cats are terribly "exploited." My "twisted emotional pleasure" amounts to treating them like little demi-gods.

Meethinks someone needs a hug. :fluffle:

EDIT: ** I should apologize to them, however, for scaring them whenever something so inane makes me roll on the floor laughing. Perhaps Fass should apologize to them as the instigator.

On topic: Cats rule, dogs drool.

ROTFLASTC

My cats are terribly "exploited." My "twisted emotional pleasure" amounts to treating them like little demi-gods.

Meethinks someone needs a hug. :fluffle:

Do you have sex with them? Because they would apperantly prefer that to you keeping them as pets.

On topic: Cats rule, dogs drool.

I wonder how I guessed you were a cat person?:p

I am more of a cat person.
But growing up with ca 10 different sorts of animals makes me like all kinds.
Listing the animals for the heck of it;
Cats, dogs, birds, sheep, cows, pigs, rabbits, horses, guinea pigs, etc.

Now shush, watching Simon´s Cat.
Pure Gold, Pure Metal, thank you. ,)

I like both, but I prefer dogs. They are great companions, and can actually do stuff besides be pets. They work for the police, the military, search and rescue, blind people, hunting, and herding livestock. Dogs have been at man's side for over thousands upon thousands of years.

Dogs are awesome.

Everyone I hate! This doesn't impact on my view on my dog, though. He's foolish and playful, and cute-as. And I've trained him to roll over. Vested interest ftw.

I have a dog:

http://a753.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/125/l_e11f38ebfe0f3a5ba828ed64a3342410.jpg

and a cat (no pics of the cat yet, but in time i'm sure one will pop up)

On topic: Cats rule, dogs drool.
This is true, but I still like both equally. Personality and lifestyle-wise though, I'm a cat person. But I get a kick out of dogs.

Why not both? I love dogs and cats.

I like other people's dogs, but when I'm ready for a pet again I'm definitely getting a cat. Independent and aloof suits my headspace much better than loyal pack animal.

Cats, by far... I have one and my parents have the same three we owned while I was still in high school.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/5475/cocoacts1.jpg
http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/5127/cocoaojy4.jpg

This is true, but I still like both equally. Personality and lifestyle-wise though, I'm a cat person. But I get a kick out of dogs.

TBH, I do like dogs. I like almost all animals (not snakes!!). I do prefer cats.

I did have a lovely companion for many years that was a very tame chinchilla. She's no longer with us, unfortunately. :(

Cats, certainly.

Dogs. They'll put thier lives on the line to save their master. Cats won't.

I wouldn't give my life to save a pet of mine. Why should my pet do it for me?

If cats fart, I've never heard or smelled it...

...dogs, on the other hand. :mad:

This is absolute insanity.

There are way too many people who prefer cats to dogs. I have only seen this much of a variance on the internet.

Though to be honest it does make sense with the beliefs most of NSG holds.

Depends on what I want at the moment. Dogs are high maintenance, cats aren't (for the most part).

I am endeavoring to surround myself with cats as part of my descent into crazy-cat-lady-hood.

TBH, I do like dogs. I like almost all animals (not snakes!!). I do prefer cats.

I did have a lovely companion for many years that was a very tame chinchilla. She's no longer with us, unfortunately. :(
I always wanted a pet rodent -- rabbit, guinea pig, hamsters, mice (I love mice) -- but since there's always been at least one cat in the house already, I figured it wouldn't be fair to the poor little things. And since I can't really imagine a house without a cat in it...well, I guess no pet mice for me.

I always wanted a pet rodent -- rabbit, guinea pig, hamsters, mice (I love mice) -- but since there's always been at least one cat in the house already, I figured it wouldn't be fair to the poor little things. And since I can't really imagine a house without a cat in it...well, I guess no pet mice for me.

I dont know when we were kids we had a cat and gerbils ... when the gerbils would get out we found it sleeping curled up next to the cat

he was an odd animal and was used to them and they were used to him ...

Not sure my parents new cats would be so friendly ... they are very nice but more energy and would play rough even if it was only play (or outright get it)

If cats fart, I've never heard or smelled it...

...dogs, on the other hand. :mad:

My cat, Clyde, loves lentils. Yes, cats do fart.

I am endeavoring to surround myself with cats as part of my descent into crazy-cat-lady-hood.

Remember to ALWAYS talk in raging gibberish!

Remember to ALWAYS talk in raging gibberish!

I am knitting them sweaters. Close enough.

I am knitting them sweaters. Close enough.

No! That will NOT make you the crazy cat-lady you want to be. Study how the Cat-Lady from The Simpsons does it!

Watasi-wa neko desu.

Watasi-wa neko desu.

Hai, watashi wa neko desu!

Hotwife - what did you cat do so that you prefer Dogs?

I have a 6 month old Kitten. He's kind of a pain because he gets really frisky, bites my feet and plays really aggressively. He's also really cute and very sweet - he follows me everywhere, he flushes the toilet for me on command, plays fetch and can jump like 6 feet.

It's more "what does my dog do that my cat doesn't?"

A dog that goes on the morning run with me, plays Frisbee, and is very, very smart for starters.

A smart dog with a lot of drive is more fun than any cat. I'll admit that not every dog is smart, not every dog plays Frisbee, but there aren't any cats that play Frisbee.

Dogs, baby! GO DOGS!!

I like cats very much, but I love dogs. I absolutely adore my dog, who is the best dog ever and has made my life a thousand times brighter by being in it.

I'm also rather amused by the idea that I am demanding "emotional servitude" of a creature who showed up in my yard uninvited and simply never left. Clearly, rather than feeding her and cuddling her and playing with her, I should have watched her starve to death outside my door, since then she wouldn't be "emotionally enslaved." Somehow, I think both she and I sorta prefer it this way.

Cats. Dogs are bloody annoying and stupid.

Dogs. Cats make me sneezy.

It's more "what does my dog do that my cat doesn't?"

A dog that goes on the morning run with me, plays Frisbee, and is very, very smart for starters.

A smart dog with a lot of drive is more fun than any cat. I'll admit that not every dog is smart, not every dog plays Frisbee, but there aren't any cats that play Frisbee.

Well my cat does play fetch with a little ball I'd say thats pretty close.

My cat LUVS string :3 I dont mind dogs, im an animal person myself, and animals always seemt o like me. Except for that one hamster, he was a little bity butthole. A can go up to a seemignly aggresive dog and it will be really tame to me, even if it h8s every1 else.

Annoyingly though, babies do the same and i find those little crapbags REALLY annoying ><

Well my cat does play fetch with a little ball I'd say thats pretty close.

Close, but not quite as fun.

Cats.

Dogs are idiotic.

Barking all time... bah humbug, why don't they get a real job.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/Anndrayabelle/Macro/funny-dog-pictures-caring-dog-is-he.jpg

Dogs, but mainly because they have a better fan club. There are no "Crazy Dog People," for instance, and those stupid animal caption things (though they have, to the great shame of all, expanded to canines) started with cats, not dogs.
Though dogs have a reputation for being less intelligent, they're at least as smart as cats. My parents had an Anatolian Shepherd that could count, and knew if he was being shortchanged when he got his night snack.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/shellshaker/daschund.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/shellshaker/daschund.jpg

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

*snuggles poochling*

On topic: Cats rule, dogs drool.

http://ihasahotdog.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/funny-dog-pictures-schocked-innocent-dog.jpg

I used to like cats way more when I was growing up.. But I've come to like dogs too now. So I went with 'both'.

What's wrong with both? http://generalitemafia.ipbfree.com/uploads/ipbfree.com/generalitemafia/emo-icon_look.gif

I always wanted a pet rodent -- rabbit, guinea pig, hamsters, mice (I love mice) -- but since there's always been at least one cat in the house already, I figured it wouldn't be fair to the poor little things. And since I can't really imagine a house without a cat in it...well, I guess no pet mice for me.

We have three cats, and my sisters also have three pet rats.

The cats and the rats get along splendidly. The cats know darn well these aren't the rats they're looking for.

We have three cats, and my sisters also have three pet rats.

The cats and the rats get along splendidly. The cats know darn well these aren't the rats they're looking for.
My current cat has killed two mice that I know of and beat the snot out of another that I rescued. My cat will also rip the shit out anything else significantly smaller than him (including human hands, which I have trained him to hunt). My cat is a supremo-excellente-pro cat-man, but that means no pet rodents for me. :(


EDIT: Also, DACHSHUND PUPPY!!!! *dies of cuteness overload* Me want. :D

Lobo the German Shepherd dog. Lobo (wolf) the name sounds more natural for a dog in Spanish then in english.

I respect cats.

Would never hurt a pet.

This thread should have had a public poll.

Neither, as I find animals to be annoying. Also, this thread certainly went to hell in spectacular fashion.

It certainly did... but my cat can still play fetch. :p

Cats. not surprising for the crazy catlady.

"If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve man but deteriorate the cat." Or so says Mark Twain.

I have a bias towards cats, but dogs can be fun too, the only real problem with dogs i find is some bark like crazy, and i jump sometimes when my head is in the clouds.
and cats can be pretty funny, e.g. back home when my parents feed their cats (2) sometimes they go loco, as in jumping around for no particular reason.
and they're good leg warmers.

Dogs. I used to have a Border Collie / Kelpie cross. If I got another dog it would be a Border Collie.

I have cats thought, because I live in a smallish house in inner Melbourne.

Dogs. Cats don't love people, they use them for food then wander off.

Definitely Dogs. They are more loyal and intelligent, and altruistic and courageous to actually defend their master and family... And have you ever heard of a rescue-cat or a therapy cat?

Who are smarter?

Dogs or cats?

It's an important question, though, one that Cat People and Dog People have debated forever. If you're a Cat Person, you know that cats are smarter because they're independent and clean, and they have an uncanny sense of where they are and how to get home. If you're a Dog Person, you know that dogs are smarter because they're easier to train. In fact, dogs are so smart they sometimes even wear police badges and perform important jobs for people with disabilities, among other things.

But true to be say.

If you have two animals that are roughly at the same evolutionary level and roughly the same classification--cats and dogs are both carnivores--the one that has the more complex social structure is almost always brighter.

Pack animals have to read signals and anticipate the effect of their actions. If you look at it in human developmental terms, a dog is about equivalent to a human two-year-old, which means it knows about 260 words or signals. The average cat, meanwhile, is more like an 18-month-old, which means it knows about 50 words. The more words a creature knows and the better it's able to communicate, the more it is apt to succeed in a social environment.

It's not that cats are too regal to perform tricks or obey commands. It's that they don't understand how to do them. They just aren't able to learn language and read social cues as well as dogs.

Dogs, on the other hand, are champs at it. Maybe this is why dogs joined human families about 14,000 years ago, while cats were first domesticated 4,500 years ago. Dogs were quicker to figure out how to hop on board the human gravy train.

Dogs' skill at language and communication with humans has enabled them to not only be companions, but also to perform crucial jobs. In addition to helping police officers and people with disabilities, some dogs can even detect cancer with their noses.

So, dogs rule and drool... cats.. are just dumb, but soooo cute!

Who are smarter?

Dogs or cats?

-snip-

Maybe this is why dogs joined human families about 14,000 years ago, while cats were first domesticated 4,500 years ago. Dogs were quicker to figure out how to hop on board the human gravy train.


Actually, domesticated cat remains have been found from 10,000 years ago.

Also, I believe the reason dogs seem to more easily pick up on human signals is because of their ancestry.
As part of a pack, they had to interpret signals fast or risk starving.
While cats are solitary hunters, not relying on others to bring down a prey.

Actually, domesticated cat remains have been found from 10,000 years ago.

Also, I believe the reason dogs seem to more easily pick up on human signals is because of their ancestry.
As part of a pack, they had to interpret signals fast or risk starving.
While cats are solitary hunters, not relying on others to bring down a prey.

Oh you are correct on both. 9500 years ago. interesting.

And yes, dogs are smarter thanks to the socialization. Society, working together develops intelligence.

Oh you are correct on both. 9500 years ago. interesting.

And yes, dogs are smarter thanks to the socialization. Society, working together develops intelligence.

There are however animals with far more complex social structures,
yet they are not viewed as more intelligent.

And it is true that society can imbue intelligence,
but how does the society develop in the first place then?

The mirror test could adequately decide this dilemma,
but I can only find concrete evidence on dogs passing that,
while cats tend to vary from individual to individual.

Cats have better long term memory,
which if anything would create hierarchy and society.
While dogs have better short-term memory.

There are however animals with far more complex social structures,
yet they are not viewed as more intelligent.


Well we need to understand what meaningful social interactions are. Sure, ants and bees have complex social structures but this has more to do with complex and extensive decentralized systems. Swarms aren't really societies. Maybe you are thinking in herd animals, like buffalos, who are considered less intelligent than some lone animals.


And it is true that society can imbue intelligence,
but how does the society develop in the first place then?


As part of evolution.


The mirror test could adequately decide this dilemma,
but I can only find concrete evidence on dogs passing that,
while cats tend to vary from individual to individual.


Some breed of dogs pass the mirror test, but most don't. Cats in general fail at it.

cats, partly because i'm allergic to dogs, but partly just cos cats are awesome. i much prefer the indipendence of cats, i think cats are nicer looking (and way cuter), less intrusive, less noisy, don't need walks, clean up their own crap, and can mostly take care of themselves. they're more like another person in the family than a needlessly affectionate and dependent pet - you have to treat cats with almost as much respect as you would a human, and i like that.

but then i've never had a dog, so i'm highly biased :p

^ this ^
and I had both dogs and cats growing up.

I also had rabbits, fish, crayfish, salamanders...

I'm a decided cat person. I don't dislike dogs, but I prefer cats.

Dogs but I'm biased. We have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who is very intelligent and contrary to what the Daily Mail would have you believe, a gentle dog who is friendly. He goes up to people and wants to be stroked. He does get messy at times and hyper but that's expected.