Blogs about Dogs, Cats and Pets

November 20, 2009

Communicating With Animals: Does Your Pet Understand You?

I never understood the expression, "dumb animal". My hackles definitely go up when I hear anyone referring to them in that manner! I emphatically believe our cats are highly gifted with a rather astronomical IQ. I swear they can read my mind and so often respond to my yet unspoken thoughts.

For instance, when I begin walking in the direction of the fridge to get Hubble's daily medication, no matter what time of day, he immediately takes off in a blur of white fuzz, often leaving me totally frustrated with a plastic bag in my hand.

When I am just considering doling out some kitty treats, both of our cats are at my feet, looking up at me with that manipulatively loving expression, eyes sparkling. I swear they are smiling at me and follow up with several eye blinks which melt my heart. Kitty kisses are so precious. But I must emphasize that while they are behaving in this manner, there is nothing in my hand, nor have I removed the treats from the drawer in which they are stored.

While I am completely convinced that they have ESP down pat, I started thinking about whether they actually understand spoken language. So, of course, I had to start researching what some of the more scientific conclusions which may have been published on this topic.

As I delved more deeply into my investigation, I was reminded that during the 1970s, researchers were able to teach Chimpanzees to read and use sign language. While of course they do not have vocal cords which permit understandable verbal speech, they definitely possess the brain power which enables them to communicate their thoughts and feelings very clearly. Dogs can easily learn and respond to a rather large number of spoken commands, and parrots are quite adept at learning how to speak human words. Unfortunately we have no way of knowing if they really understand the words they are speaking.

Cats are certainly capable of learning their names, and if they are in the mood will come when called. In my over 40 years of living with felines, I am absolutely positive that they do know the words, "no" and "get down" but choose to ignore them most of the time. That is just the essential nature of the cat! Many people think they own their cat, but truly passionate cat people are hip to the real deal . . . they own us.

I discovered a children's book, "I'll teach my dog 100 words", written by Michael Frith, and noticed how the title alone clearly demonstrates how "dog people" enjoy bragging about canine intelligence. Stanley Coren, a human psychologist who has done extensive research on canine intelligence suspects that the average trained dog is capable of learning at least 160 words, rivaling the verbal skill of a human toddler. And while I could not find any scientific study on the number of words that a cat can understand, according to Wiki Answers, "cats rule". It is thought that cats respond mainly to voice inflection and also to clicker training.

More than ever I now believe the phrase "dumb animals" is a myth which clearly needs to be dispelled. I am willing to bet my bottom dollar, that those of us who share our hearts and homes with pets, whose observations which may not be strictly "scientific" will support my hypothesis that animals do communicate not only with one another, but to their human companions far more extensively than many people may be aware.

Leave a comment and share your experiences in communicating with your pets.

Posted by Jo Singer at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

November 19, 2009

Betrayal by the ASPCA?: Oreo's Story

There are some stories about animal rescue that arrive in my email box each day that warm my heart and reaffirm my positive feelings that there are many people out in the world that love animals and deeply want to help them.

Folks dig deeply into their pockets and contribute their hard-earned dollars to help needy, abused and neglected animals in order to find new, forever loving homes, or adopt special needs pets that have been overlooked and remain neglected in overcrowded shelters.

Of course, I am always overjoyed when I hear about the many happy outcomes in which our forsaken and rejected animals are given a second chance to receive the care they so richly deserve.

But yesterday was not a day in which my heart overflowed with joy. In fact, when I read the story which was sent to me by a dedicated and passionate animal rescuer, I could hardly contain my rage and anger. The subject line in her email simply read, "Betrayal by the ASPCA".

Oreo after being rescued
Dubbed by the ASPCA as their "miracle dog" last June, shortly after the ASPCA quickly responded to reports that a one-year-old dog named Oreo was intentionally thrown off a sixth floor Brooklyn building roof top, by her abuser, she was rescued. She had also appeared to have been beaten in the past, which was substantiated by several neighbors residing in the building who reported sounds of the dog being struck.

The ASPCA nursed Oreo back to health and arrested the perpetrator. But here the "happy" part of the story abruptly ends.

According to the "San Francisco Animal Shelters Examiner", in an article entitled "The Meaning of Oreo", last Friday, the ASPCA killed Oreo, in spite of the fact that a No Kill shelter had offered to save her. Ed Sayers, the President of the ASPCA chose to kill the dog instead of handing her over to Pets Alive in Middletown, New York who offered to keep her.

Pets Alive is a member of the Mayor's Alliance for New York City. The ASPCA is also a member of the alliance. The public was in favor of Oreo being saved, and the No Kill Shelter had offered her lifetime care. Sayers claimed that the dog was aggressive and dangerous. What animal lovers nationwide are incredibly furious about is that most aggressive dogs, with patience, kindness and special training can be rehabilitated.

Sayers issued a press release in which he claimed, "We are all upset by this", and emphasized that Oreo was truly vicious. He went on to claim that a lifetime in a sanctuary would provide a poor quality of life for the dog, so the decision was made to euthanize her. Even though Pets Alive is a facility with experience in rehabilitating aggressive dogs and is a highly respected and credible shelter Sayers chose to take this dog's life, prematurely. Additionally, Middletown, New York is only a little over an hour's drive from New York City.

I cannot understand how the ASPCA could act in such a reckless and irresponsible manner. If they truly respect the lives of helpless animals, and are dedicated to save them, why would they disregard the compassionate invitation made by Pets Alive? No matter how I try, I cannot get my head wrapped around their decision to kill the dog without offering her another chance at finding love and protection.

To say that I am upset about this is a huge understatement. I am livid!

Read the full story by visiting: http://www.examiner.com/x-16635-SF-Animal-Shelters-Examiner~y2009m11d16-The-meaning-of-Oreo

What are your thoughts about Sayers' action? Leave a comment and share them with us.

Posted by Jo Singer at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)

November 18, 2009

Bans on Declawing Cats Causes Quite a Stir

Over the past few weeks, several California cities have passed ordinances which ban the declawing of cats.

And while cat lovers who abhor this inhumane and cruel surgical procedure are thrilled with the City Council Members decision to pass these bans, according to an article published in the "Los Angeles Daily News" on Monday, November 16, apparently there are some people who are not as equally thrilled.

Photo credit: Michael Owen Baker/staff photographer LA Daily News
Nancy Bonus, a psychologist in Van Nuys, pictured to the left with her cat Petunia, remarked that the cat shredded the chair prior to being declawed. She spoke out passionately about her concern regarding the bans.

Saying she "dearly loves cats - whether they are declawed like the two she keeps as pets, or still have their claws like those she cares for when they wander into her yard", Ms. Bonus is troubled by what affect the ban will have on the local cat population, whether domesticated or "wild", if the City Council passes their final vote on the proposal to ban declawing, scheduled for Tuesday, November 24. She said, "I'm just not sure they have thought this out. I worry that it means fewer people would be able to have a cat as a pet and more would be put in shelters and euthanized."

It also appears there are still many cat owners who are concerned about these bans. They feel that declawed cats are easier to keep since declawing prevents furniture destruction, accidental scratching to humans and pets. They are concerned that the bans may result in more cats being surrendered to shelters at high risk of being euthanized.

On the other hand, proposing the ban, Paul Koretz, City Councilman, along with other critics strongly views the procedure as inhumane. It is amputating the last joint of the cat's paw. In response to those who argue that many more cats will end up in shelters should these bans pass, Mr. Koretz said, "It is a common argument against declawing. The reality is there are more cats that end up in shelters who are declawed because it is not unusual for them to exhibit bad behavior after being declawed."

Here's the rub! Shelters are not documenting reasons for cats being surrendered or if the cat is declawed. People relinquishing their cats may share inform shelter workers if unacceptable behavior is the cause, following declaw surgery, but shelter workers are far too busy to document them. So no one knows if the ban will result in fewer cats surrendered for a couple of years after the bans are in place. With few reliable studies available which support the information which veterinarians and other protestors use to refute these bans, how do they know?

A growing number of veterinarians refuse to declaw cats. Dr. Michael Fox, writer and distinguished veterinarian, in a United Feature Syndicate publication wrote, "Declawed cats tend to bite more, in part because their first line of defense, their claws, has been removed. Cat bites are much more dangerous than the occasional scratch because of possible infection.

Without claws to hold and manipulate things, declawed cats tend to become more oral, mouthing and chewing more." Dr. Jean Hofve, DVM and author writes, "Since animal shelters and humane societies are prime dumping grounds for cats with behavior problems, personnel there should have a realistic and practical view about whether declawing keeps cats in their homes, or creates worse difficulties."

As far as published studies go, Dr. Gary Patronek, after speculating that declawing may protect cats against relinquishment went on to say: "After adjustment in a multivariate model, declawed cats were at an increased risk of relinquishment". Dr Hofve's interpretation is "that declawed cats who developed another unwanted behavior (as 1 out of every 3 declawed cats do, according to published data) were very likely to end up in the pound. These cats are usually unadoptable because they developed a behavior problem subsequent to declawing, and are likely to be euthanized."

What are your thoughts about this controversy? Leave a comment and share them.

Posted by Jo Singer at 12:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

November 17, 2009

WEEKLY CUDDLE CHAMPION: Kate the ChiPoo

Kate is 6.5 pounds of pure cute! Congratulations little Kate, you are this week's CUDDLE CHAMPION!

Submitted by Diedre Dee Coleman Huston

"Ahhh, here's a CUDDLE CHAMPION for sure, Kate is 16 months old and 6.5 whopping pounds of joy. Her daddy is a Long Hair Chihuahua and her mom is a Toy Poodle."

To submit a picture to "WEEKLY CUDDLE CHAMPION" post your pet's picture on the petside facebook fan page wall with the caption "I think my pet is the CUDDLE CHAMPION"! Make sure to tell us your pet's name and a little bit about them!

Posted by Lana Vitsup at 2:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

The CATillac of Vacuum Cleaners: The Roomba

I have been fascinated by the round robot- Roomba vacuum cleaner ever since I saw it advertised such a long time ago. The Roomba is a vacuum cleaner which enables users to reach all those difficult places, while at the same relaxing and being entertained by watching it circle around on its own, without any help, was very appealing to me.

But no matter how hard I tried to convince myself that it was a necessity, I could not justify the expense. Since we have a relatively decent canister vacuum cleaner that works perfectly well, and gets up all the dirt very quickly, it seems like a frivolous purchase. In addition, our cats have already learned to tolerate the vacuum cleaner noise fairly well, and no longer dash under the bed in abject terror. In fact they are rather blasé about the entire process.

So I began wondering what other uses I could find to convince my husband that it might be a really good idea to get one. It even amazes me how strongly I am determined to get one of these unique home helper items to help me with my household chores. By now you must realize that I am really into this quest. I have a friend that owns one. She thinks it is a hoot and I am green with envy.

And out of the blue, just as if my fairy godmother was looking out for me, wanting to gift me with something I truly coveted, an email arrived in my mailbox from a friend which actually gave me the answer for which I was so earnestly searching! Apparently the Roomba Vacuum cleaner can be used as a cat toy which will amuse both feline and human.

You may wonder how I arrived at this conclusion. I have to admit I was influenced by this very cute video, uploaded to YouTube by texasgirly1979, which convinced me that Hush Puppy, one of our more adventurous kitties, might find the Roomba to his liking. After all, the video promoted the Roomba as the "CATillac" Driver.

My next step is to try to convince my husband that this could be an essential tool to help enrich our cats' environment to which we strive to achieve all the time.
Watch this very amusing little video which clearly demonstrates how much fun a cat can have riding a Roomba.

Now that you have viewed the video, do you think I have a ghost of a chance of convincing my husband to buy one? Leave a comment and please help me out with any promising suggestions.

Posted by Jo Singer at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)