Cats vs. Dogs

I think no matter how much the world changes, there will always be those who deem themselves cat people and those who deem themselves dog people. I've always wondered what the defining factor is that makes you one or the other -- do dog people smell different? Do they have more active salivary glands just like their canine companions? Do cat people see better in the dark? Do they crave tuna from time to time?

Probably not. But I have noticed some small communication differences between crazed cat ladies and dog park aficionados. Ever seen a conflict between two people where one person just stares and the other says "WHAT?!" really loudly? The starer, more than likely, is a cat person. He or she is desperately trying to communicate telepathically to the dog person and the dog person is frustrated by the cat person's lack of speech. Round and round they go -- very fun to watch if you have relatives that do this.

Cats and dogs communicate differently, and I strongly believe there is a profoundly simple correlation between this and owner preference. Or at least I'm spinning it this way because I had some free time, did some doodles, and had to fit them in somehow. Can we go with the first option that makes me sound intelligent? Thanks!

Cat to English Translator

Cat:

English: Hi, I'm currently trying to sleep. I am aware I am on your clothing/in the middle of the floor/in your sink/someplace inconvenient. I chose this spot thinking of you, and how you should be worshiping me instead of changing clothing/walking around aimlessly/brushing your teeth/doing that important thing you wanted to do. I am a cat.

Cat:

English: I have found a sunbeam and am absorbing its powers. I am a god. Worship me in my sun-basking glory.

Cat:

English: Yes, I know you were calling my name. I'm actually quite intelligent. That's why I'm pretending not to notice you. This wall is suddenly very interesting.

Cat:

English: I see you bug -- you are a prey worthy of my skills. I shall kill you and put you on the human's pillow. Then they will worship me and there will be much tuna.

Cat:

English: I think that blanket moved. There must be living human feet under there. I shall maim them in the cutest way possible.

Cat:

English: Hey human, look at my fuzzy belly! Isn't it cute?! Don't you want to pet it?! I want you to stick your hand in my belly full of fur -- I just love fleshy scratching posts!

Cat:

English: Look how cute I am. I am paying attention to you. Also, the food bowl is empty. If you've forgotten where the kitchen is, I'd be happy to lead you there. You can pet me as a reward.

(Not to be confused with the very similar...)

Cat:

English: Wake up, human! It's time for food. I'm going to paw at your face until there's food. Aren't my cold paws cute? Food.

Dog to English Translator

Dog:

English: I play because I love you!

Dog:

English: I drool because I love you!

Dog:

English: I pooped on the floor because I love you!

Dog:

English: I can have human food because I love you?!

As you can tell, both languages are very, erm, complex. In their own respects. Okay so maybe dog people just want to be loved and cat people like puzzling demi-gods who crave fish.

All jesting aside, I suppose dogs can have a few more complex thoughts, and I know for a fact cats are incredibly loving little creatures... when they want to be.

After reading this, can you place your loyalties? Slobber vs. fish breath? The feeling of warm poo in a shopping bag vs. sifting for litter box treasures? Maybe you don't fit in either extreme - not a cat person or a dog person.

Well, when all else fails....

Rabbit the Bruce says: Why not try a bunny? For cuddles, not for dinner. Carrot now? Thanks.

And I, for one, say why not try all three?

Merry Christmas From the Humane Society

This post dedicated to all those who helped make this possible: Debbie Schwartz, Anne aka TheKrazySheep, Rebecca aka AnethemaDevice, Kelsey Howle, Sara Garcia, Sarah Davis, Nancy Torrance aka Schmutzerella, Kelly Nowiki, Victoria aka Affienia, Savio Fernandez, and Patty VanCise. Thank you also to those who read this blog and helped by spreading the word.

Christmas at the Shelter

I got in at about 8:30am and it was business as usual, minus the crowd wanting to adopt. The shelter is closed for Christmas, but since we have animals to take care of it never truly closes. Jerry, a kennel staff member, let me in and lit up when he saw the bags of tuna and dog treats. I think I may be close to my crazy cat lady status now...

The cats went first today since the tuna was supplementing the wet food they normally get in the mornings. I took a big pile of tuna cans and started in the waiting room. I felt 20 pairs of eyes fix on me as soon as I opened the first can (like Children of the Corn, but not creepy and with cats). As soon as they were sure it was tuna, Jerry and I were serenaded by an opera of impatient cats. I have never seen them get so excited. I couldn't help but smile the whole time. As I fed them tuna one by one, each cat would drop out of the choir to eat, until eventually all we could hear was the contented eating of 20 cats. Some of them acted like they had never had tuna before -- one even batted a chunk around a bit before he launched into a full out attack of his food bowl. The cats in the hallway, the real life rooms, the cat ward and the sick cat ward were also very appreciative.

The dogs were equally as excited, but there I had some help. I wasn't the only volunteer that showed up today! There were five other volunteers that came in for the sole purpose of giving the dogs some time out of the kennels on Christmas. Each dog got to go for a walk and spend some time in the play yards, so I gave dog treats to every volunteer as I went around to do medications. It's almost like all the dogs got two treats for Christmas, really. All of our dogs are on Doxycycline to keep them healthy within the shelter environment, so we always make little meat balls out of wet food -- easier to pill this way than to wrench mouths open. Also saves on finger injuries (you'll just have to trust me on this one)! I got so many kisses, and to see all those tails wagging was beyond wonderful.

But enough of my talking, please see for yourself! I tried to take a good amount of pictures, especially as thanks to those who really helped pull this together. I could not have done it without you, and I only wish you could've been there to share the joy with me. I have never seen our animals so happy!

Trixie Waiting Patiently

From Top Left Clockwise: Minerva, Jen, Mya, Tippy - all enjoying their tuna.

Sweetie face down in tuna.

Trixie waited so patiently, and then devoured everything like a Hoover vacuum.

Toi purred the whole time she was eating.

Happy the cat shows his nom face.

Squeaker and Drizzle - pretty part-calico girls

Drizzle sticks her tail straight up when she's happy.

Molly has been feeling awful because she got caught in the fan belt of a car. The tuna perked her right up!

Holly was more interested in my affection than the tuna - she's come a long way in just a few days!

Alice has a drain in her back from an abscess that was removed. Because she feels vulnerable, she's turned her bed into a turtle shell.

Peanut hung out with us in the exam room.
Peanut eating his treat :)
Angel loved her treat - and she's getting better since she started wearing her thunder shirt! (She was very nervous and scared when she came in)
One of our awesome volunteers and Cooper
Olive enjoying the play yard.
Olive loves the volunteers.
One of our volunteers walking Schnitzel the very happy wienie.
Brand new dog (curse me for not remembering her name) - she's loving the treats!
Danny working up a pant in the play yard.

Danny all tired out.

Bear relaxing in his run.
London does the cutest things! Can you tell she liked her treat?
London decided it was nap time.
Wizard is such a happy little dog.
The lone puppy - don't worry, Nala, you'll go home soon!

And then I visited the cats again, to see how life is after tuna...

Sam did his happy stretch.

Lucky did his best Northern Lynx impersonation.

Colton settles down for a post tuna nap.

Rocky and Eva still playing with full bellies.

Gomez says "Thank you!"

Gomez squishes his face a little more, "THAAAAAAAANK YOU!!!"

Carie was giving all the kitties some love!

Minerva just wanted to play.

Faun claimed the free-coupon basket as her own.

Stella Bella says thank you so much!

Squeakers -- two seconds away from passing out.

Drizzle claimed the crocheted penguin - I made these to raise money for the tuna and treats, and instead of keeping hers, Victoria wanted hers to go to a very special cat.

Drizzle says, "Thank you for my new friend!"
Drizzle stretches out with her penguin and full belly of tuna. Quite the happy ending for a once-quarantined cat. Now she just has to find the perfect home. I've left a note that the penguin goes too!

Thank you again to everyone who made this possible! From me and all the animals at the Humane Society, we hope you have a very Merry Christmas :) Love to all!