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 Have a Break!

[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!