With dogs it's a rule (a dogma, so to speak) that food hitting the floor becomes the property of the dog, and that attempts to retrieve the food justify biting on the part of the dog.
Our new (used) cat is much more pragmatic than that. If nothing falls on the floor, doctrine calls for him to jump up on the counter and eat it there.
About the only thing that currently deters him is a squirt gun pointed right at him while he's still crouching for the jump on the floor, and the comment, "Go ahead, what do you THINK will happen?" You can actually watch him doing the risk/benefit analysis math in his head for a second, and then the look of reproach as he walks away, knowing full well he'll be making another try in a few minutes.
"Food Monkey", I like that. As Heinlein noted, humans are in charge of rations, quarters and weather; the cats are in charge of everything else. At least all of our doors are opening into spring now, if not summer.
Comment moderation is enabled. Your comment will not be visible until approved. Arguing or use of insulting or derogatory language will result in your comment going unpublished: no name-calling. Comments I deem excessively partisan will not be published.
Dogs go to the same Church, I think. At least mine do.
ReplyDeleteWith dogs it's a rule (a dogma, so to speak) that food hitting the floor becomes the property of the dog, and that attempts to retrieve the food justify biting on the part of the dog.
ReplyDeleteSynchronicity?
ReplyDeletehttp://cheezburger.com/8194367488
Our new (used) cat is much more pragmatic than that. If nothing falls on the floor, doctrine calls for him to jump up on the counter and eat it there.
ReplyDeleteAbout the only thing that currently deters him is a squirt gun pointed right at him while he's still crouching for the jump on the floor, and the comment, "Go ahead, what do you THINK will happen?" You can actually watch him doing the risk/benefit analysis math in his head for a second, and then the look of reproach as he walks away, knowing full well he'll be making another try in a few minutes.
"Food Monkey", I like that. As Heinlein noted, humans are in charge of rations, quarters and weather; the cats are in charge of everything else. At least all of our doors are opening into spring now, if not summer.
Blackwing, it's been pointed out before that "dogs have owners, cats have staff."
ReplyDeleteHeinlein is also quoted as saying, "Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods, and cats have never forgotten that."
ReplyDeleteAnd I am one who in his life has lived with cats and dogs (with cats and dogs living together a few times).
ReplyDelete+1 on Rick!
ReplyDeleteYou should do it as a video -- with soundtrack by Al Stewart, of course.
ReplyDelete