BS: Our pets favorite things

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 04:28 AM

My three animals used to sleep for a while on my bed every morning each of them Misty the oldest cat, Misha the Siamese Cross and my Cavalier Spaniel puppy all trying to get as close to me as possible but at the same time trying to avoid each other so Misty would snuggle into my neck, Misha on my left side and Bonnie on my right and then they would all move around one more time still avoiding touching each other. It was funny to watch especially if sometimes they woke up to find that they had got into each others space, they didn't fight just looks of distain.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 12:10 AM

I know what you are doing susan, and bless you for it.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 09:18 PM

Faulkner (F) and Sadie (S) each have some new faves.

S first because hers came first. She LOVES romping like crazy all around my path while I do the fast AM housechores, eating ANYthing left on the floor, in high spirits. So of course before this begins an intelligent person first clears up the floor of inedibles!

F has long had carsickness/fretfulness in any car in any position and on any therapy/training one can imagine. But he has made some great strides and the credit is all his-- I'd begun to suspect that if he can't SEE things whiz by he may not get so dizzy and thus carsick... had some limited success with a few new tricks of my own there. Anyway he was so bored that he demanded one day to be taken along on a car ride so I took him, and he taught me quite a few new things about how to let him do it his way-- of course we had tried THAT, but we're all older and wiser now. So he's been re-learning the "No Jumping Out When Susan Goes into the Store" skills and today he really amped it up a notch-- "OK then I think I'll leave this nice front seat where I can watch for you, where I've been so much calmer... I'm gonna wait in the van's back end for you." When I came out of the store he came back up front to greet me and then hopped back into the back. While there he repeated all the great cooperative things I've asked up front, that I'd noticed helped him stay calmer. In baby terms, we would say that he "self-soothed." More car trips planned! Last week he got a LONG ride on a FreeCycle I needed to do without my usual security partner-- and served in his place quite handsomely.

Go Faulkner! Thank you Sadie!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: kendall
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 12:42 PM

We have the world's best dog. He has never given us any trouble at all, but his favorite thing is sleeping on Sinsull's couch!

All you folks with unruly pets might try what Utah Phillips told me about his cats and his dog to keep them in line, he said "I show them a Viet Namese cook book".

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: LadyJean
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 12:29 AM

My tabby cat, Grace O'Malley likes cream cheese. For breakfast I have toast with cream cheese on it. I sit down to eat and read my paper, then I scrape some cream cheese onto one of my fingers, and Gracie licks it off. I've tried a plate, but it tastes better on my finger, she says. When she's done one finger, I scrape more off with another finger and let her lick that one too.
I've been out of cream cheese this week, and she's been giving me the dirtiest looks!
I don't spoil my cats. Of course I don't spoil my cats. Yeah right, I don't spoil my cats.

Subject: BIRDEH VISIT
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 08:22 AM

Kitteh A: BIRDIE! BIRDIE! INNA MAH HOUSE O JOY! KILLKILLKILL!

Kitteh B: [snore.....]

Mommeh: OK, a bird flew in. Faulkner, KITCHEN! [slam] Birdeh, OUT! [opening front door screen and closing lower half of inner dutch door to keep kittehs IN] Hardi sleep, too bad, he miss all this....

Kitteh A: BIRDIE ON WALL DECOR! U COME DOWN! KILLKILLKILL! I SMELL YOU! I HEAR YOU! I SEE YOU! KILLKILLKILL!!!

Kitteh B: Oh, izzat a bird? OK... I go see... Kitteh A, whatchoo DOIN'?

Mommeh: Dumb bird. Gotta wait for east sun to stop lighting window I can't open (painted shut). Turn on all lights by open door. May be awhile-- maybe Hardi NOT miss all.... not like last time....

Birdeh: [pantpantpant] I smell real AIR. Must find..... SWOOP!

Kittehs A & B, and Mommeh: Did you see the TURN that birdeh made in mid-air!?!?!?!

Faulkner: What did I miss? Kittehs all excited but washing?

Hardi: 'Morning dear, sleep well? Where mah coffeh?

Mommeh: I'M TAKING THE DAY OFF! o, f, F!

Hardi: What I do?

Faulkner: Bes' let mommeh be. I dunno what wuz but I hear mommeh gettin' bizzeh with kittehs. We'uns doggehs bes' jes' set a bit.

Hardi: Oh, I get it, thanks Dawg.

Mommeh: I not mommeh any more today. You be dawg Daddeh today.

Hardi: I kin do dat.

Mommeh: Good, cuz I's be kitteh todeh.


~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Jul 10 - 04:33 PM

Two kitteh
One empty bogzfan bogz
+Yin/Yang kitteh mindmeldz
========================
Kitteh Hevenz

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 May 10 - 06:10 PM

Poppy is on the injured list. No blood, no protruding bones, and can't even detect where the injury actually is, but she's not putting one back foot down much. Thing is, this dog squeals if you look at her cross-eyed, so the volume of complaints if you touch it doesn't really tell you much. I'm giving her the weekend to see how she's doing before considering a trip to the vet, and already she's putting a little more weight on it. Better if it will heal and she doesn't do whatever she did again. I have a piece of furniture out there she might have tried to jump on, and fallen through, so I'm going to move that.

Oh--as to their favorite things--last week (before the injury) I put Poppy in the kennel and left Cinnamon in the yard and let them each have a joint of beef soup bone. After about 90 minutes I took them away again because they were getting them down to sharp bits and I didn't want any injuries. They love those bones, but I always have to separate them or Cinnamon would take Poppy's from her.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 May 10 - 11:07 AM

Something has shifted with Faulkner. He used to drop me like a hot potato when Hardi came in. Now.... I'm sure I do not deserve it, but somehow I have been promoted. I used to be "she who makes sure I am cared for but I want to be #2 and dammit, it seems that SHE is."

Now.... it's hard to describe. But I suspect I have become one of his favorite things, even as Hardi becomes more precious to him as Hardi learns how to have a dog who adores him.

It's a bit unsettling, really! :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 07:20 AM

The used rug Hardi laid in the office for me yesterday is providing HOURS of fun tfor doggie noses!

So funny to see Faulkner stop in his tracks on the way into one of "his" favorite places. "I smell my man! I smell his helper! But who is THAT I smell NOW and where the heck have all those feet traveled?"

A few minutes later, Sadie: "I smell her man! I smell #1 dog! (I taste his rug; I smell his treats! I eat my rawhide!) I smell the stranger that came over today! But who is THAT I smell NOW, and where the heck have all those feet traveled?"

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: LilyFestre
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 06:19 PM

Dan, the one cat in the house that is MY cat, or rather I am HIS person, has taken to sleeping on the top of my new recliner where I have been sleeping frequently lately. He seems to know where my body is sore and so he just sleeps nearby and purrs in my ear.

Jack, on the other hand, is a large tiger kitty who is nothing BUT a snuggle bunny. He curls up beside me, arm and paw resting over my heart, purring away.

Those seem to be the favorite things for now...for Dan, Jack and myself.

:)

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: GUEST,manu
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 06:09 PM

listen i just want my phone (and my money) back

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 02:59 PM

Sadie, stop chewing up all the Fels Naptha! That stuff is hard to find!

(She doesn't eat it, just gnaws briefly.)

Guess I need Office Bones.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Sooz
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 02:07 PM

I've just put a tiny clip of Meg and her favourite thing on YouTube
have a look

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 12:15 PM

SQUEAM/GROSS ALERT ON-- really , now--

Basement employee-kitteh Sami has a favorite: running off any other cats that might encroach on her territory, and she is really ferally vicious about it. As regards neigbioionr marauders tryuing to set upa new breeding ground, that's fine ny us. There are lots of tastyy mice in the barn out back and she is not so territoiral out there; they're welcome to it.

But on the odd occasion one of our pampered house-employee-kittehs squeaks out for a bit of fresh air (despite our best efforts), Sami has been known to tear them up pretty badly before we can get out there to separate them. (We seem to prefer to get pause to get a pair of shoes on, go figure.)

Food always works-- a few Sami-kibbles rattled into the right place makes a safe path, back into the open door, for the escapee.


The thing is, sometimes the overweight kitteh we have been reducing for the last several years ends up totally beshatted, in panic. It makes it considerably less fun for me when I have to not only catch her when she's freaked out, but get low enough to scoop her huge self up in my arms (too near my nose!!!) and carry her squirming, slipery largeness to the door-- and the washing machine for whatever I may have been wearing at the time.


SQUEAM ALERT OFF.

Don't say I didn't warn ya's! :~!)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Aug 09 - 09:29 AM

F's favorite thing at the moment is the portable dog bed that used to be a ladies' "mouton" coat, which is tossed to the floor for his convenience, when it's needed, with the arms inside out to create two ridges on the sides. (In the AM it is hung up on the nearest upright vacuum cleaner.) It gets washed twice a year whether it needs it or not. I was shocked to realize yesterday that his boarding kennel people had re-washed it before giving it back to me a few weeks ago! WITH fabric softener to make it smell.... nice to me, but pretty weird to F! But he wiggled quite happily when I started to lay it out for him last night: That's mine! I know what you're doing!"

GROSSOLOGY/SADOLOGY ALERT

S's current fave thing at the mo' is to crap on the floor of their shared dog corner, and then nudge her empty glass food bowl mashed on top of it so she doesn't step in it. From diarrhea in shocking quantities to firm double-poops overnight, she has not stepped in ONE of these accidents, so I believe the cause is beyond her solving and have taken action.

F concurs that the young hussy can have that cold, drafty corner all to herself this winter while his older bones loll around in front of the heat register on his cushy coat, food and water handy, while she must wait for AM food and water. "She'll grow up, " he sez, "and then SHE can have all the perks-- when I am long gone!"

~S~/

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 02:21 PM

Bearing in mind Bonzo only has one front leg, he holds a soft ball in his mouth and lobs a second harder one with his front leg - dog football! He plays for hours on his own.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 01:16 PM

Update-- the cat is, indeed, moving from place to place. I still do not know who my playmate(s) is/are.

===

One of Faulkner's favorite things is his LR dogbed. Of all his beds (he has many in this big house), he likes this one best because as each bed-sack has gotten dirty, I've just added another one on top of it. It holds every F smell he has ever put on it. We can't smell them, but HE can.

Apparently the cats love the smell of dog, too, because Atticus has been known to try to join the lap party. As of last week, F is almost up to letting Atticus groom him as he grooms any other mammal he contacts. Kitteh love that dog earz smellz!


But when F is outside, they jump in his BED, until further notice.

It easily holds the two of them, and they are such lazy-lovies that they just spend the day twisting into different positons, around and around in it. Even in hot weather. If he's not in it, they are.


Of course when he comes back inside, they don't give a damn, but HE's very distressed about this.

We have tried a variety of lazy-people (sore muscles) approaches to getting them out, for him, but this worries him because if I throw an empty pill bottle to startle them out, for him, he thinks that's MY bottle and therefore MY bed, unless I get up and show him otherwise by taking the bottle out. Squirting a little bottled water their way also worries him-- "What if they squirt ME," he's thinking-- "Maybe they don't want ANY animalz in there right now."

Hardi has the treats-can, and sometimes we oust the cats by lobbing treat-bombs, and F goes right in to get them and goes to sleep, but that's really counter-productive as a training method. All he gets out of it is US throwing treats for HIM! (Training US.)


So today I took him by the collar to SHOW him how to eject kittehs from HIS BED. "Nonono," he worried, "they KITTEHs, they has CLAWZ...." even tho neither of them have ever, ever scratched him nor would they even think of doing that. They just aren't scratchers, and they grew up with dogz.


Atticus is smart. As soon as I mock-bit him (with fingers), making the right growly noise, he vacated. F almost brought himself to LOOK at this ("Can't look kitteh in the eye, plz don't make me...."), but did observe out of his peripheral vision. He liked it. I taught him words to go with all this.

Isis, however didn't budge. She's the formerly-17-pounds big girl we're STILL reducing to her desired 5 pound weight. She dug in. F worried, while I hissed, bit, used my foot, the whole nine yards. She actually yowled a warning at us. I persisted, knowing she was bluffing.

As soon as she vacated (barely), I told F to get on in there. He went. And for the next 15 minutes, he got back out every time I looked at him-- "Are you SURE, iz MY bed? Iz me go in, NOW?" (More word-teaching.)

Gosh, I hope he's a fast learner on this as he has been on so many other things!

~Susan

Subject: Abrazos: China Cats and TP Rollss
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Apr 09 - 10:54 AM

A church lady who died several years ago left her house (and its contents) to the church. One of the many items not sold, but lovingly stashed in the church building, is a sleeping china cat, full-size.

I can tell the parish's "processing" of dear Louise's passing has evolved, because the cat has started to appear in interesting, small-movement spots.

So-- since the kitty had moved horizontally along the church hallway and had even turned around with her back facing out-- Thursday night, after the Maundy Thursday vigil service the cat moved up to the top shelf of a bookshelf, next to a figurine she is about to knock off next time she stretches, on top of a pile of papers that were sitting up there.


I cannot wait to see where someone else moves her next-- a real cat-lover will do it I am sure, who knows just where a cat would actually curl up for a nap. When I see her on the altar I'll get fingerprints-- I wanna know who's that relaxed about their worship! :~)


One of our kids used to play a related game here at home, during the years he was too mad to talk to us at all. The TP-roll tower in the loo would change shape very few days. I always responded to the change by modifying it just slightly. He later told us-- that one, single, not-quite daily game made for more trust that anything else we could have tried, and kept him steadied during some pretty bad nights-- just knowing that someone would always respond, and without getting into his face. It was only after his storms had passed that we all talked about who had been playing.... no one had really known, till then, but just kept a silent, responsive vigil that meant so much to us all.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Apr 09 - 07:10 AM

300

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Donuel
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 05:35 PM

Here it is
On her tummy there are markings that look like another pooch going the other way...
http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/don1/gromet.jpg

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Donuel
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 10:09 PM

Perhaps I will be accused of doggy porn but I have to post a photo of our dog Gromet. I assure you it is not altered in any way.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Becca72
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 08:19 AM

At the moment the cats are quite fond of the new fountain-style water bowl I purchased a few days ago. Until now, Mikey would only drink from the bathroom faucet so he'd go all day without any water (heaven forbid he stoop to drinking from a common BOWL!) and he has problems with crystals forming in his urinary tract so lots of water is important for good health. This new "watering system" is great. The water is constantly moving and oxygenating and he instantly took a shine to it. Now, if I can just get his brother Sheldon to stop sticking his paw down the hole and then flinging water everywhere, I think we'll be all set.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 12:25 PM

I just know that THIS handy household tip is going to improve the lives of pet owners everywhere. [widly giggling]

If you spill almost anything on your kitchen counter and you want your dog to clean it up for you, now the answer is easy! Just use a slice of ham as your sponge, and watch the mess disappear!

Then use a de-greasing spray on the counter top and BINGO! Sparkly-clean kitchen AND a happy, happy dog.

Use new Pork-O-Wipe today! It's better than Fugg!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 02:10 PM

F had another nameless holiday today as I divided a spiral-cut ham for the freezer. I used the holiday to start teaching him the word, because after he'd had his fill from the kibbles-in-hamjuice pan, he HAD to come find me and interrupt me till I received his thanks and a face-licking homage. He insists on being a lifelong learner! :~)

~S~

Subject: Prayer for a Pet
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Feb 09 - 10:27 PM

A few days ago I got quite a scare-- the dog door was stuck. This is the door that lets the dogs out into their run, or back into their corner from their run. A piece of plywood it abuts (in their dog porch) had gone sproing, bowed out, and made a new, outside door jamb. Hardi and I were able to determine why it was stuck, and with his pry bar I got it unstuck, but what scared me was thinking about-- what if it had happened while we were on vacay? Which of the pet-sitters we've employed in the last several years would have known what to do, or have been able to do it safely? (The farmer/landlord's resourceful son now does the job, so no worries. They have tools AND they know a hot wire when they see one!) I know, they could feed and water the dogs thru the fence, but picturing poor F trying and trying to get that door open till his paws were bloody.....


Anyway, that had just happened, so I especially appreciated the item below when a friend sent it in email. (Her own beloved dog Lizzie BTW is terminal with cancer, and the number of "good days" left to them is short but unknown.) I thought I'd stash it here in this thread for those who might like it but have never seen it.

~Susan

===

LANGUAGE ALERT-- CHRISTIAN PRAYER FOLLOWS

God our Creator, you have made all things good.
In love look now on us and on our pets
and on all the creatures you have made.

As you once sent your angel Raphael
to guide your servant Tobias and his faithful dog,
send your angel to watch over our pets.

Keep them in health and safety,
secure in our care and guardianship
to be our comfort and joy.

Remember all pets who have no home,
and especially those neglected and abused.

Bestow on them a special blessing,
and give them comfort and release from evil.

And when their days in this life are complete,
take them to yourself, where they, with all creation,
wait in hope for the fulfillment of your kingdom,
that blessed day, when the lamb and the wolf,
and the young child and the adder,
will joyfully play, side by side.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

*** The Rev. James Flager

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 10:28 PM

My dogs are such keen observers that they've parsed out every move of my signals to them. A dog trainer told me that holding my hand up, open palm like waving, beside my head is a good signal for "lie down" because they can see it from most angles. My dogs are usually right in front of me because I have treats in my hand as a reward.

At first they simply responded to the hand in the air, but they were always so close they'd end up on my shoes, so I started stepping back to make room for when I raised my hand. They caught onto that. And they also know that before I step backwards I shift my weight at the hips to make that step, and they see that also.

These days, all I end up doing is shifting my weight and they plop down on the ground in front of me, before any of the other parts of the signal.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 09:43 PM

Did you know that the act of pointing to somthing and a dog looking at where you point and finding it is a talent that Chimpanzees do not have.

Dogs are smarter than Chimps in many ways, and chimps are 99.5% human in their DNA makeup.

what does that say of us compared to dogs?

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 08:30 PM

"ferrite?"

We're down one pet, as of last week. The calico cat loved to take naps with us in the big recliner in the living room. As soon as she heard it move we'd hear her bell as she came to join us.

She's gone, but I've heard her bell a couple of times this week. Or thought I did.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Big Andy
Date: 06 Feb 09 - 11:04 AM

chrli a boxer cross rottweiler, likes to give you a present when you come in through the door i.e an onion, half chewed,and her breath smells lovely when she climbs on the sofa on a night for her cuddle.
the other dog likes drinking out of the toilet even though they both have water in the kitchen, then trying to lick you. She's a german wire haired pointer, that only points the ferrite

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 03:10 PM

Donuel, was it in the Mudcat Slimometer thread? I saw it there.... folks seeing it here, please go see.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 09:00 AM

A sense of fairness and the emotion of jealousy are nearly one and the same.
Humans, chimps and dogs know when an equity of affection or resources has been offended or denied.

I am probably more jealous than my dog right now in that I feel it is unfair that others can ask for good thoughts for their family on this forum in their own way, while mine have been completley deleted.




......................................>    >    >
walking away with tail between legs /'\ /'\ /'\

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Feb 09 - 12:33 PM

Whenever we cook in bulk, Faulkner has a minor role in the cleanup. He has learned to recognize the signs of such a day beginning-- the rattling of pans, all hands reporting to kitchen, the bustling about, the big bags being carried in or moved about.

His reaction as soon as he sees this starting: "I don't know what holiday this is, but I like it!" He likes it all the way till bedtime, because that's how long it usually takes for me to stow the last of it. Sometimes it's even a multi-day holiday, like today. The cooking and cooling are done, but the stowing starts later this afternoon.


BLUNTSPEAK ON*   And last night as Hardi cut up and soaked rabbit parts in salt water, F clearly connected the doorstep interaction with the visiting hunters, my alpha-female role in that, and the giving of the prey to the alpha male, with the smells that had already been in the air. BLUNTSPEAK OFF*


He so absolutely fawned his submission that he scared himself half silly till I indicated what we wanted him to do ("OH THANK YOU I'LL WAIT HERE," he said).

It's so cool watching him mature into these little understandings. F: "People at the back door-- MAY be a good thing, go with MomWolf to see... stay quiet as long as the intruder is not IN the doorway."

~S~

* This is NOTNOTNOT a thread to debate hunting, just a language warning for a friend.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 12:59 AM

There is a photo with the story.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 12:27 AM

My dogs sit side by side when I offer them treats and have them do tricks. I wouldn't want to try this experiment because there would be hurt feelings. They cooperate when the other gets food, I'm convinced, because they know I take turns in rewarding them and they both get their fair share.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 12:25 AM

Monday, Dec 8, 2008
Posted on Mon, Dec. 08, 2008
Studies show dogs have sense of fairness

AP No fair! What parent hasn't heard that from a child who thinks another youngster got more of something? Well, it turns out dogs can react the same way. Ask them to do a trick and they'll give it a try. For a reward, sausage say, they'll happily keep at it. But if one dog gets no reward, and then sees another get sausage for doing the same trick, just try to get the first one to do it again. Indeed, he may even turn away and refuse to look at you.
Dogs, like people and monkeys, seem to have a sense of fairness.

"Animals react to inequity," said Friederike Range of the University of Vienna, Austria, who led a team of researchers testing animals at the school's Clever Dog Lab. "To avoid stress, we should try to avoid treating them differently."

Similar responses have been seen in monkeys.

Range said she wasn't surprised at the dogs reaction, since wolves are known to cooperate with one another and appear to be sensitive to each other. Modern dogs are descended from wolves.

Next, she said, will be experiments to test how dogs and wolves work together. "Among other questions, we will investigate how differences in emotions influence cooperative abilities," she said via e-mail.

In the reward experiments reported in Tuesday's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Range and colleagues experimented with dogs that understood the command "paw," to place their paw in the hand of a researcher. It's the same game as teaching a dog to "shake hands."

Those that refused at the start - and one border collie that insisted on trying to herd other dogs - were removed. That left 29 dogs to be tested in varying pairs.

The dogs sat side-by-side with an experimenter in front of them. In front of the experimenter was a divided food bowl with pieces of sausage on one side and brown bread on the other.

The dogs were asked to shake hands and each could see what reward the other received.

When one dog got a reward and the other didn't, the unrewarded animal stopped playing.

When both got a reward all was well.

One thing that did surprise the researchers was that - unlike primates - the dogs didn't seem to care whether the reward was sausage or bread.

Possibly, they suggested, the presence of a reward was so important it obscured any preference. Other possibilities, they said, are that daily training with their owners overrides a preference, or that the social condition of working next to a partner increased their motivation regardless of which reward they got.

And the dogs never rejected the food, something that primates had done when they thought the reward was unfair.

The dogs, the researchers said, "were not willing to pay a cost by rejecting unfair offers."

Clive Wynne, an associate professor in the psychology department of the University of Florida, isn't so sure the experiment measures the animals reaction to fairness.

"What it means is individuals are responding negatively to being treated less well," he said in a telephone interview.

But the researchers didn't do a control test that had been done in monkey studies, Wynne said, in which a preferred reward was visible but not given to anyone. In that case the monkeys went on strike because they could see the better reward but got something lesser.

Range responded, however, that her team did indeed do that control test as well as others in which food was moved or held in the hand but not given to the dog being tested.

In dogs, Wynne noted, the quality of reward didn't seem to matter, so the test only worked when they got no reward at all.

However, Wynne added, there is "no doubt in my mind that dogs are very, very sensitive to what people are doing and are very smart."

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Becca72
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 11:21 AM

My boys could be the stars of that website! they love the sink

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 09:53 AM

I think I sent a photo to "cats in sinks" a couple of years ago. I have a fat calico (not as fat now, and ailing, but still sweet as ever) who sometimes naps in one of the bathroom sinks.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 07:43 AM

You might enjoy this web site:

http://catsinsinks.com/

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Anne Lister
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 02:58 AM

That's great - I think our mog needs to read it, especially the bit about the staircase and the bathroom!   Although her most dangerous habit on the stairs is the way she stops on the first two or three stairs to rub her head on my foot...

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 07:55 PM

Prolly been posted before, but WTH.

~S~

===

Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish. Nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help, because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king- sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort.


Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails traight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!


To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:


To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:

1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'niture.
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, they are an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

1. Eat less.
2. Don't ask for money all the time.
3. Are easier to train.
4. Normally come when called.
5. Never ask to drive the car.
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends.
7. Don't smoke or drink.
8. Don't have to buy the latest fashions.
9. Don't want to wear your clothes.
10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and...
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children!

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Becca72
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 10:37 AM

Tabster,
that brought back a funny memory from a couple weeks ago. I was in the livingroom doing an exercise DVD and my Sheldon (of the feline variety) was hiding under the blanket draped across the couch. Every time my left foot got close enough to the couch he would reach out from under the blanket and whack me. Got me laughing pretty hard.

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 08:49 AM

The special doggie Christmas Elf hat I bought for my Patterdale terrier, Flora, is definitely NOT one of her favourite things. But it's certainly one of mine! Especially when she poses for pictures looking well pissed off...

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 08:45 AM

You should bring in a radio flyer-sized wagon for him to pull for you. Easier than dragging a bag across the floor.

Oh, I have pull-carts for ME to use (and they help get things across the multiple changes in floor level that a wagon and dog would not handle well), but none were in evidence this time when I needed them. The lovely thing about F is that he does not need a training with a particular item or process, but is glad to lend his dog power in unique situations and to follow the person's lead to get it done.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Anne Lister
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 02:55 AM

Our cat can read the "shoes and socks" thing, too, but it's with an air of extreme disappointment.
Her version of Pawball has now progressed to include the curtains at the French windows ... she hides there and detects the ball by sound, so out come the paws with a bewildering speed and accuracy. We must try to get the camcorder to work when she's doing this .. it's hysterical to watch.

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 11:50 PM

You should bring in a radio flyer-sized wagon for him to pull for you. Easier than dragging a bag across the floor. But I agree--dogs to enjoy anticipating what you're going to ask of them and they love to be part of the operation.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 10:45 PM

Faulkner's chief dogly pack-position attribute is his intense desire to understand and be an active part of the pack leaders' plans. To this end he has insinuated himself into many situations, often much to our perplexity. He wants to SEE and DO.

One of these situations arose some time ago while I was dealing with some health issues. I was having a hard time levering up and out of my oversized and poorly-working recliner. F began crowding in to try to help, eventually placing himself where I could hug at him as he braced himself or pulled back. I always thanked him for this spontaneous help. It was obvious that the helping was a release of pent up emotion for him. A little happy dance afterwards and much proud parading before settling.

Recently I needed help again and wondered out loud, talking to Hardi, if F could "help" me. F overheard this, and over he bustled, inquisitive eyes asking what he should do. He brought his paws and head up as he is sometimes invited up when he gets lap time, but pasued in midclimb at my unconscious signal. (I have no idea what the signal was, but he read it perfectly.) I grabbed his collar and said his walkies or time-to-go-out phrase-- "let's go." He braced and backed, and up I came. He instinctively stood firm as I leaned over him, bracing myself over his shoulders, as I slowly used aching back muscles to stand myself up straight a bit at a time. He was so proud.

We then proceeded to teach (reward) the "Help Susan?" command (praise) so that Hardi will be able to activate him towards me, also.

Tonight with this bad back, while Hardi out working for the evening, I had heavy laundry to haul thru the kitchen from the laundry room, to the LR for folding and sorting. "Faulkner, help?" I said as I headed off to the laundry room. Happyhappy yesyes howhow dance. I took his short lead and hooked one end to the laundry bag drawstring, ran the lead thru his collar, grabbed the free end, started off, and said "let's go." He was quite happy to furnish most of the pulling power to drag the big bag (a 33 gallon bag of cottons), as I furnished the steering and "led" the dog. When we got to the LR he was QUITE pleasd with his dogly self. He watched me fold the laundry as if he'd have liked to fold some, too.

Cesar Millan says dogs LOVE to be useful, and this is one who definitely does. He is so proud of himself that he licks ME in gratitude afterwards. I think I'd lick F if it wouldn't make Hardi barf.

I onluy need help periodically, so it is quite amazing that F remembers from one time to the next what the word means, and what I might want. Who knows what he will learn, next!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 12:29 AM

My dogs know the routine when we're going to go for a walk, and it is intentional because they wear a special radio collar to keep them in the yard (they stay in the fenced back yard, but if I let them through the gate to the front, there is no fence, just this radio signal). If the hat isn't on and the fanny pack and the leashes in place, etc. then they won't go near the line at the one place where we cross (after their collars are off and I've also said the magic word to let them through).

They love this ritual, and have figured out others "steps" I never thought to build in. When I sit down on the loveseat by the glass door with shoes and socks in hand, they get all excited. If I put my hat on, they're pretty sure they're leaving the yard, and if the pack is in place, they're practically doing cartwheels. But the socks and shoes are something they picked up on without it being part of the ritual I set in place, it's just one of those body language things they learned to read and it can really set them off in happy galavanting around the yard till I'm ready to go outside.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: Michael Harrison
Date: 26 Nov 08 - 10:47 PM

We have a wonderful golden retriever in our family and Murphy just loves to do two things: chase the water hose stream and chase the beam of light from the flashlight or the pointer - and he is relentless in his persuit; of course, he also loves to go in the car wherever it's going. We also enjoy taking him to music festivals but he cannot come to the stage when I'm performing because he sits there and wags his tail barking at me for attention - go figure. Cheers,........................mwh

Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
From: olddude
Date: 26 Nov 08 - 10:19 PM

New puppy loves my sock
when it is on my foot. tug of war until she gets it off then runs off with it. Impossible to put socks on in the morning unless I put her in the other room