Let's settle this once and for all

[lovecraft68]

I can 100% guarantee you that dogs can and do shit on people, including their owners. I have had it happen to myself and others around me, and seen it happen to owners (and not "once or twice"). I've also seen dogs bite their owners (without provocation), pee on their owners and vomit on their owners. Dogs that don't come when called, dogs that don't play fetch, dogs that treat you as nothing but their food delivery service, and dogs that change their "allegiance" the moment a better treat is offered.

There are also dogs that stick by you thick and thin, dogs that will give you everything they have, and dogs that break your heart when they leave you. There are all kinds of dogs out there, and very few of them are ideal creatures.

I don't say negative things about dogs to say that dogs are bad or cats > dogs. I am simply saying that the idea that dogs are this perfect paragon of pet-dom is inane and highly misleading. It always frustrates the HELL out of me when owners come in with dogs they were entirely unprepared for on a care and/or training basis because of this ridiculous preconception they had in their head that all dogs are Lassie.

Frankly, the same applies to cat owners (or any type of animal owner). I'm sorry that your feral barn cat doesn't want to curl up in the sun and sleep all day. Maybe you should have invested in a scratching post well before they decimated your couch to the point you're bringing me the animal for a declaw (i.e. partial finger amputation).

Not that I'm bitter. I'm not, actually. I view all the bad animal owners out there as a CHALLENGE. I'm going to educate the FUCK out of y'all, whether you like it or NOT.

Also, I'm on vacation and generally argumentative. BRING IT. ... yah.... okay I'm done now.

Then said people including you don't know how to raise a dog.

There I brought it.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Then said people including you don't know how to raise a dog.

There I brought it.

lol sure dude if that's what helps you sleep at night.

 

[Netzach]

Cats beat out dogs by a narrow margin. Ferrets beat out dogs by a narrow margin too, but they smell and don't live long enough.

I like some dogs. I don't rule them out at some point, though I think M would divorce me if I brought one home.

I like working shepherd and retriever types. I dislike toy dogs (with the exception of pugs, which are fairly quiet and sweet and so fugly they're wonderful.) I like not very vocal dogs, and definitely not most hound breeds of big nose and heart and short on brain. Mutts of these origins are good, things like Golden Doodles are great.

I plugged my data into a "what dog should I get" site thing once and it came back with Vizla, and I think that's about as astute as a match can be, a dog that isn't totally high strung, is big enough to look like it can kick your ass, and needs quiet positive reinforcement and is easily scared of you if you come on too strong training it.

All this said - I'm a cat lady, but I don't believe in the aloof cats thing. Sure they happen - one in the five I've had qualifies. The rest have been as vocal, loyal, interactive, and awesome as any dog, without fleas and fights, and self-cleaning.

 

[graceanne]

All this said - I'm a cat lady, but I don't believe in the aloof cats thing. Sure they happen - one in the five I've had qualifies. The rest have been as vocal, loyal, interactive, and awesome as any dog, without fleas and fights, and self-cleaning.

Yeah, pretty much. I remember when my upstairs neighbors had to go to jail. I took in their cat until the no kill shelter had room for her. Every night, after the kids went to sleep, she'd creep out from under my bed (any pet that avoids my kids is a smart pet), climb in my lap, put her paws on my chest and tell me all about her day. The shelter I took her to told me they had an elderly shut in that she was going to be a perfect companion pet for.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

The Goldendoodle is something I was originally offended buy (like most "Designer breeds"), but the more I meet, the more I kinda want to have one. I'm allergic to a lot of dogs, and they all have some handsome faces and lovely demeanors. Of course, I'm kind of partial to standard poodles to begin with. Keep that ridiculous cut off them (purpose to the cut or not, it looks silly) and they're very dignified creatures.

 

[NikiCole]

All this said - I'm a cat lady, but I don't believe in the aloof cats thing. Sure they happen - one in the five I've had qualifies. The rest have been as vocal, loyal, interactive, and awesome as any dog, without fleas and fights, and self-cleaning.

I want to know what kind of cat you had that did not "self-clean". Mine will plop his ass on whatever surface is available, hike his leg as high as it will go and commence to licking what is left of his manhood. Please let me know, because I would love to have one that does not shame me when company comes by.

 

[NikiCole]

Or did you mean they are more hygienic then dogs? I believe I might have misinterpreted what was said......

 

[Sir_Winston54]

I want to know what kind of cat you had that did not "self-clean". Mine will plop his ass on whatever surface is available, hike his leg as high as it will go and commence to licking what is left of his manhood. Please let me know, because I would love to have one that does not shame me when company comes by.

Bubba and JimBob went to a University of Georgia football home game, and near halftime, Bubba noticed UGA VII (the UGA mascot)



being cuddled by one of the cheerleaders, his feet propped on her voluptuous breasts and licking at her neck.

"Look at that UGA," Bubba said, punching JimBob in the arm. "I wish *I* could do that."

By the time JimBob could focus on UGA in his alcoholic haze, the cheerleader had set him down and UGA was vigorously licking his private parts. "Oh, no, Bubba! That dog would BITE youuuuu...."

 

[Netzach]

I want to know what kind of cat you had that did not "self-clean". Mine will plop his ass on whatever surface is available, hike his leg as high as it will go and commence to licking what is left of his manhood. Please let me know, because I would love to have one that does not shame me when company comes by.

All cats are self cleaning, most dogs not. All of mine were normal this way. Yeah, they do have few inhibitions, but I'll take that over rolling in roadkill and expecting me to hose you off ANY day.

 

[Netzach]

The Goldendoodle is something I was originally offended buy (like most "Designer breeds"), but the more I meet, the more I kinda want to have one. I'm allergic to a lot of dogs, and they all have some handsome faces and lovely demeanors. Of course, I'm kind of partial to standard poodles to begin with. Keep that ridiculous cut off them (purpose to the cut or not, it looks silly) and they're very dignified creatures.

It's an awesome idea, injecting smart into the almost ruined gene pool of the generally awesome Golden.

 

[BiBunny]

If I were going to have a dog--which I almost certainly am not--I would love to adopt a retired greyhound race dog, assuming I lived somewhere other than a small apartment. They're not prone to barking their heads off or destroying everything you own, they're not dumb as rocks, and they're less allergy-inducing than many other breeds. Also, I think they're pretty.

 

[midwestyankee]

The cat fever has spread to dangerous levels.

 

[Stella_Omega]

The cat fever has spread to dangerous levels.

Excellent voicing on that one. Just adorable!

I disagree that the Poodle cut is ridiculous. It's extreme, sure- but I'm partial to extremities. And the modified version is like a ballet dancer's costume-- it shows of the fluid motions of the dog. A good poodle looks like water in motion. Fuzzy, dorky water. I love 'em.

 

[lovecraft68]

lol sure dude if that's what helps you sleep at night.

The only dogs I've seen routinely exhibit the behavior you mentioned are little dogs. Who in general are high strung little pains in the asses.

They're pretty much canine felines.

 

[Loverskitten]

Excellent voicing on that one. Just adorable!

Yep, same guy that did this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGeKSiCQkPw&feature=youtube_gdata_player
(I'm sure we've all seen it, but it's still funny)

 

[ndoorfin]

have to admit love kitty style
but I am a dog man

 

[bhndblueyes88]

The only dogs I've seen routinely exhibit the behavior you mentioned are little dogs. Who in general are high strung little pains in the asses.

They're pretty much canine felines.

so in that respect, there certainly can be feline canines that a dog lover might like

Stella, I suppose I don't mind the cut so much when it's not poofed out. As I said, the cut DOES have a purpose (and a good one at that). But really, the dignity of those animals...they shouldn't have to look like a trussed up ballerina. They're hunting dogs and damned fine ones at that. They're dignified, intelligent and beautiful dogs. Making them look like...like...frizzy puff balls is just so.... UGH

 

[graceanne]

The only dogs I've seen routinely exhibit the behavior you mentioned are little dogs. Who in general are high strung little pains in the asses.

They're pretty much canine felines.

The problems with little dogs is often in the owners and not the dogs - just like with big dogs. Little dogs are dogs, and they have the same needs as dogs - such as regular walking. They also are usually dominant animals, rather like pit bulls, but smaller. However, when they display dominant behavior, such as jumping on people and the like, people think it's cute and allow it, which leads the dog to think s/he's the boss, which in turn leads to a plethora of bad behavior that annoys people who DON'T think they're cute.

How to Deal With Small Dog Syndrome

 

[bhndblueyes88]

If I were going to have a dog--which I almost certainly am not--I would love to adopt a retired greyhound race dog, assuming I lived somewhere other than a small apartment. They're not prone to barking their heads off or destroying everything you own, they're not dumb as rocks, and they're less allergy-inducing than many other breeds. Also, I think they're pretty.

They're actually pretty decent apartment dogs, but you gotta be able to take them out on walks pretty frequently no matter where you keep them, unless you know yours doesn't dig, won't jump, and you have the usual "6ft fence". Part of the unfortunate thing is, too, that a lot of adoption agencies have REALLY strict guidelines with their adoption protocols. Its for good reason, but they end up excluding a lot of good homes for the sake of "ideal"

 

[BiBunny]

They're actually pretty decent apartment dogs, but you gotta be able to take them out on walks pretty frequently no matter where you keep them, unless you know yours doesn't dig, won't jump, and you have the usual "6ft fence". Part of the unfortunate thing is, too, that a lot of adoption agencies have REALLY strict guidelines with their adoption protocols. Its for good reason, but they end up excluding a lot of good homes for the sake of "ideal"

Yeah, that really sucks.

I'm not in the type of situation where I could really take care of any animal right now. But if my luck/circumstances ever were to change, I'd like a couple of cats and a greyhound.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

at least you don't have to clean a t-shirt's litterpan

But really, sounds like you had some cats that weren't real winners. That's a shame I wish I could bring my orange cat with me everywhere to show people an AMAZING kitty (who's not particularly "unique" either). Then everyone would like kitties ^_^

I am so bad about responding to people. Seriously, my rudeness is positively feline.

It's possible that I haven't been exposed to the doggiest of cats, so if you'll UPS-me yours, I'll give cats another shot. But will it chase a tennis ball and sit raptly at my feet?

Cause I love that in pets and women.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

They're actually pretty decent apartment dogs, but you gotta be able to take them out on walks pretty frequently no matter where you keep them, unless you know yours doesn't dig, won't jump, and you have the usual "6ft fence". Part of the unfortunate thing is, too, that a lot of adoption agencies have REALLY strict guidelines with their adoption protocols. Its for good reason, but they end up excluding a lot of good homes for the sake of "ideal"

One of my older brother's girlfriends (after his mid-life crisis divorce) had three greyhound rescues from the Florida greyhound racing industry. She also had a 4-acre property with a 6-foot chainlink fence allllll the way around it, and couldn't figure out how the damn dogs kept getting out. Brother and she walked the fence from both sides and couldn't find any holes, gaps, etc., they could escape through, so they set up surveillance cameras and found that the greyhounds, even though *retired* from racing, were still able to get up enough speed to easily CLEAR that 6-foot high chainlink fence. :: shakes head :: I would never have believed it if I hadn't seen the tape.

Of course, we (the family) also had a miniature poodle when I was a teen (my father wanted to breed them Career military, breeding foo-foo poodles?) who, when *he* wanted out of our yard (6-foot fence) and discovered he couldn't jump it, learned to jump about 2/3 of the way up and then CLIMB the rest of the way over... and climb back in when he was trying to get away with his shenanigans. Other times, he'd just come to the front door and bark to be let back in to his comfy yard.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Sir_W, yah,the 6ft fence rule will never stop a dedicated animal and if they get a running start will probably not be enough for a large dog (particularly with the running start of a greyhound!). It's a good "guideline" though. which is good because I think 9ft walls would start getting unattractive in a neighborhood

DGE, it's okay, I'm used to such feline rudeness I would UPS you my cat, but you know, I like him and I'm selfish. He wouldn't chase a tennis ball, but he chases other kinds of crinkly balls or other toys. He also will not sit raptly at attention at your feet, but will pay all sort of rapt attention to you sitting on your lap/chest/head. So maybe that's not what you're looking for anyway

 

[midwestyankee]

One of my older brother's girlfriends (after his mid-life crisis divorce) had three greyhound rescues from the Florida greyhound racing industry. She also had a 4-acre property with a 6-foot chainlink fence allllll the way around it, and couldn't figure out how the damn dogs kept getting out. Brother and she walked the fence from both sides and couldn't find any holes, gaps, etc., they could escape through, so they set up surveillance cameras and found that the greyhounds, even though *retired* from racing, were still able to get up enough speed to easily CLEAR that 6-foot high chainlink fence. :: shakes head :: I would never have believed it if I hadn't seen the tape.

Of course, we (the family) also had a miniature poodle when I was a teen (my father wanted to breed them Career military, breeding foo-foo poodles?) who, when *he* wanted out of our yard (6-foot fence) and discovered he couldn't jump it, learned to jump about 2/3 of the way up and then CLIMB the rest of the way over... and climb back in when he was trying to get away with his shenanigans. Other times, he'd just come to the front door and bark to be let back in to his comfy yard.

Let it be noted that in the entire history of mankind, no Pet Rock has ever escaped its home on its own.

 

[graceanne]

Let it be noted that in the entire history of mankind, no Pet Rock has ever escaped its home on its own.

Well, not without the help of drugs or personality disorders. Or ghosts.