The behaviour of cats and dogs...

[Alan]

Hi, what is your opinion on this topic:

The behaviour of cats and dogs
http://www.english-test.net/stories/51/index.html

Let's talk...

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a parliamentary candidate

[Tamara]

Hi Alan

Your brilliant stories always give me additional motivation to advance my English skills to enjoy the language, you use, in full

There are two neighbour’s cats coming to my garden every day (night). All I can do is to use repellents.

(Off-topic) As I know, psychologists have interesting models for people who like cats & hate dogs and vice versa.
That’s the very interesting distinguish based on scientific observation of people' behaviour and personal characteristics.
By the way, I am a dog lover

Tamara
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It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Tamara]

[Yankee]

Hi Alan

Your story certainly captures the essence of "cat-dom". Having two cats myself, I know only too well how cats "think".

By the way, my two cats were of course born in Germany. One of my favorite ways of striking up a conversation in the vet's waiting room is to explain to a young child that my cats were both born in Germany but that they only understand English. Kids' reactions to that idea are always lots of fun and this pretty much guarantees lots of animated discussion (also with the kids' parents).

Hi Tamara

For me, the quintessential example illustrating the difference between cats and dogs:

Dogs do things.
Cats have things done.


Amy

[Tamara]

‘Dogs jump on your lap because they love you, cats - as there it's warmer and more comfortable for them.’

[Yankee]

Hi Tamara

I've also had dogs, but at the moment I only have cats. It's definitely true that dogs like to have things done for them, too. But dogs go about achieving this differently, don't they? Dogs are gigantic babies when they want something. They look at you with pleading, pathetic eyes, suggesting lengthy and massive suffering. I've never been able to decide whether dogs actually believe they're suffering as much as they want their owners to believe, or whether they've simply learned this is the best way to break their owners' hearts and resistance.

But, on the other hand, here's a little story about "doing something" versus "having something done":

We once had a female dog and a female cat. The cat had a litter of kittens, but then became ill and couldn't nurse her babies. She completely abandoned the kittens. We then had to feed the kittens using eyedroppers. So, the kittens got fed but were still without the warmth of their mother's body. Then the most amazing thing happened. The dog somehow understood this need and simply took over the job. It was really amazing and heart-warming to see how painstakingly and lovingly our big, clumsy dog cared for, protected and warmed her "adopted" babies all day long.

Amy

[Tamara]

Hi Amy!

[Sandra Rita Da Silva]

Hi Alan! How are you?

It was very funny to read your story about that special day with the ginger cat.
I would like to say that I like animals a lot, mainly cats.
I have two cats at home. They are adorable! Their mother left them on the roof of the laundry, when they were kitten. I had to feed them with a bottle.
They were neutered and because of this, they stay at home almost all the time, what it is good.
Cats are very clever and special friends! They do not have a "owner": We are their companions.
Thank you very much for your stories. They are very funny and interesting and they are helping me to learn English more and more.

My best regards

Sandra - Brasil

[Prezbucky]

The dog is man's best friend.

CASE

CLOSED

(hehe)
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Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

[Happytofita]

[Sandra Rita Da Silva]

Hi Yankee!

I Think animals are better than many humans being aren't they?

Yankee, I cound't find in the dictionary the meaning of eyedroppers and painstakingly.
Could you help me?

Thank you

Sandra

[Sandra Rita Da Silva]

Hi Prezbucky!

I agree with you! Dogs are man's best friend (I had two once), but cats are able to be great friends, depend on the way we take care of them!
Try to have one!

Regards

Sandra - Brasil

[Kitosdad]

Good morning Sandra.

Painstakingly means to go to great lengths to assure that your pet is fed and safe.

An eyedropper in a small plastic or glass tube with a rubber " bulb" on the end.
The end of the tube is inserted into a liquid, and by pressing and releasing the bulb an amount of the liquid is drawn into the " bulb."
By pressing the bulb gently a drop of the liquid is released to feed the pet.

I suppose it is similar to a tiny baby's feeding bottle, but much smaller.

Kitosdad.
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If you need me, I'm here.

[Happytofita]

Sandra, these are two pictures of an eyedropper:

[Kitosdad]

How To Give Your Cat A Pill

1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and apply gentle pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of 10.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for glueing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply Band Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbour's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus jab. Throw away T-shirt and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Ring Fire Brigade to retrieve cat from tree across road. Apologise to neighbour who crashed into fence while swerving to miss cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.

13. Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table. Find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour 2 pints of water down throat to wash pill down.

14. Get spouse to drive you to Casualty, sit quietly while doctor stitches finger and forearm and removes remnants of pill from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15. Call RSPCA to collect cat and ring pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.
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