Cat Lovers

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Even once good and bad breeders are established then what?  There would be no market if people didn't buy them.  There's a family down the street that has a new whatever every 6 months only to give it away and get another new something with papers.  Their pets are status symbols to be loved and hated by how perfect their breed is.  Dog and cat shows, there's beautiful animals there, but look at the list of what is and isn't acceptable.  What happens to the ones that didn't make the cut.  Greyhound rescues, a good thing, only exist because the animals outlive their usefulness.  We wouldn't need greyhound rescues if there wasn't greyhound racing.  There wouldn't be so many greyhound breeders if there was no greyhound racing.   

 

[Cagey]

There wouldn't be so many greyhound breeders if there was no greyhound racing.   

You've got that right. One of the most useless dogs in the world, outside of racing or hunting on uneven terrain where you don't care if your dog ever comes back. Since we don't have any kind of hunting that requires that breed's special skills, they really shouldn't be bred here.

My mother used to be big in the Greyhound rescue thing, but that whole movement is populated by some very unusual people so she had to get out of it before she went postal on them. We had a few Greyhounds during that period, and while they're majestic dogs, they really are pretty useless. They're trainable if you know what you're doing, and usually the rescue dogs are already trained, but that's it. They don't make good pets, any more than skunks, ferrets or snakes do. They're highly specialized animals who aren't any fun on their own or particularly good for food.

 

[stubhead]

They're highly specialized animals who aren't any fun on their own or particularly good for food.

Particularly? 

 

[hannaugh]

Nevermind, go ahead and generalize people based on the worst part of a very wide range of a group of people.  That's cool, if it makes you feel better about yourself.  The conversation is over for me. 

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I could just say that "you don't understand" and that "I know a lot more than you do" to people that disagree with me.  It's called an opinion.

 

[AGWAN]

hey look, a giant kitty, yay.

 

[AutoBat]

Sounds like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxAaK0iJ2vQ

 

[Jusatele]

that is a great video, I love it
bringing in a KKk memebr, goes to show that PETA knows nothing about breeds, without selective breeding we would have WOLVES

PETA, PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS

those guys are idiots who are using emotional heart tugs to deny truth. Do you know they demanded that they stop serving fish in the lunch room of the Aquarium Of the Pacific because the Fish on display were getting upset. IDIOTS, what do fish eat? Other fish. What were they getting upset about? That we were eating their meals? Give me a F*&^%&^ Break.

 

[Cagey]

I love animals, and believe there's plenty of room for all of them - right next to the mashed potatoes...

 

[kboman]

Back to cat appreciation, yes?​

Here's a question - I'm considering getting a pair of cats when winter is through. Are siblings better? Male or female? I think just one would end up too lonely with all the commuting I have to do.

 

[Jusatele]

my cats are sisters, and they are inseparable, I would highly suggest getting siblings, as cats are naturally solitary animals, but if you get siblings they never seem to get to that state.

 

[stubhead]

An unrepaired boy cat is not, ummm, morally above pumping out kittens with his unrepaired sister....

I've had sibs and they're happy with it - though the way they play will scare you, you'll think they're trying to kill each other. Then they cuddle right up and go to sleep. If you do have siblings, neither of them is going to get as close to you - you're useful for opening cans, scratching ears and fetching them things, but their fundamental relationship is with each other. My parents always had a continuing stream of animals, never more than three cat/dogs and never less than two. It's pretty interesting to watch all the age relationships, alpha male & disciple kind of stuff that goes on. Who's the bully, who's the suck-up.... Right now I have two full-grown adult males, both of whom I raised from kittens at separate times in different places - so they both think they're my boss.  :help:

Some cats are sorta, fundamentally evil - you still love them and all, but I couldn't do this in a place this size if either of these guys were an evil one.

 

[swarfrat]

Some cats are sorta, fundamentally evil - you still love them and all

That's ok, it's good preparation for marriage.

 

[AGWAN]

Some cats are sorta, fundamentally evil - you still love them and all

That's ok, it's good preparation for marriage.

I'm never getting married... or having a relationship with anyone.

So.. is cat ownership emotionally comparable?

I should look into this.

 

[Cagey]

I'm never getting married... or having a relationship with anyone. So.. is cat ownership emotionally comparable?

Cats will never love you like a dog will, and I say that as a long-time cat lover who still seriously enjoys having cats around and would have one before I'd have a dog. But, that's it, really. They're fun to have around, and they feel the same way about you. There's no love; it's basically a relationship of convenience. A cat will be just fine on its own, and is just as happy that way. If you die, a cat is as likely to eat you as not. A dog will cry and starve to death wondering how life could be so cruel.

Dogs, on the other hand, are serious pack animals. You take care of a dog, and it'll take care of and defend you even if it kills them. Literally. There is no stronger bond; I'm not even sure humans bond as strongly as human/dog pairs. Downside with them is it's like having a 2 year old kid. You have to take care of them on a consistent and regular basis, and tolerate some confusion and acting out on their part when they experience separation anxiety.

Best of both worlds is an asian cat breed such as a Siameses or Burmese. They're unique unto themselves. You'd think you have a dog, but it uses a litter box and can be left alone for two or three days without starving or destroying the furniture. They'll defend you and the house like a dog, almost to a fault.

 

[AGWAN]

I miss my Weimaraner, burmese cats you say?

 

[Cagey]

A Burmese isn't going to replace your Weimaraner, but they're just as fearless, if not more so. In fact, many breeders won't sell you one unless you swear to keep it indoors, because they are fearless. They'll attack anything because they're not afraid of anything, and it often gets them killed. They are cats, after all, and while a cat can do a great deal more damage than many people give them credit for, they're certainly not invincible. It's only a 7 pound animal, after all. Cars and Rottweilers, for instance, can take them out without even noticing the event, while a Burmese has no problem taking either one on.

Siamese are similar, but much more pragmatic, so they tend to live long lives. The first one I lived with growing up made it 21 years, and I had another that went 18. Few animals will mess with a Siamese for long, if at all. There's generally no future in it, unless pain and possibly death is something an aggressor enjoys.

 

[AGWAN]

I had a Blue Russian/Siamese mix as a kid.

I always wondered why she would escape, murder (yes I mean she killed) cats twice her size, then come home soaked in blood like nothing happened.

sweetest most calm, low key cat in the world to people.

but put another cat or smaller pet near her. It was like JAWS.

 

[swarfrat]

Dogs do not love, they need you. Like a toddler. Clingy, dependent.

Cats decide "you know, despite the fact that this human confines me here with this stupid blithering dog, this person isn't half bad - I think I'll be nice for a few minutes." But at least you know it was heartfelt.  Personally I think one of the things that make cats cute to us is they seem to have the same cruel/capricious/devious/sneaky/rotten streak as us humans, and they're pretty effective predators, but too small to seriously hurt us. (Not that I'm breaking up a cat fight any time soon)

 

[Cagey]

I had a Blue Russian/Siamese mix as a kid.

I always wondered why she would escape, murder (yes I mean she killed) cats twice her size, then come home soaked in blood like nothing happened.

sweetest most calm, low key cat in the world to people.

but put another cat or smaller pet near her. It was like JAWS.

Yeah, they're highly territorial, protective, crafty, and talented. I watched Sheba tear the hell out of a German Shepherd one time. Poor dog didn't mean any harm, but somebody left the gate open to the rear yard and the dog was just exploring. Last time he tried that at our house. Scared my mother bad, because when Sheba finally came in all bloody, she feared the worst. But, it wasn't her blood. Dog got hurt bad enough to remember the lesson, though. Meanwhile, Sheba's calm as a pond on a summer's day while mum cleaned her up looking for wounds.