Virgil Showlion
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[b]leones potest resistere[/b]
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Oct 23, 2013 8:11:45 GMT -5
Pets do not "own" people. Your cat did not buy you. It cannot sell you. It cannot neuter or spay you. It does not choose where you can go, what you can eat, with whom you can associate.
Pets don't adopt people. People purchase or adopt pets. Even in the rare cases where an animal solicits your attention (such as a feral or stray animal coming to your home) instead of you actively purchasing it or rescuing it from a shelter, you have adopted it. You bear all rights and responsibilities in its care. You retain full authority, regardless of any willing concessions you make to cater to its desires. Adoption (i.e. a familial parent/ward relationship) is proscribed by rights, responsibilities, and authority, not by the degree to which one party in the relationship works in service of another.
Pets are called "pets" for a reason. They are not co-equal, legally or fundamentally. If you wish to call your poodle a "companion animal" and refer to him as an "equal" or "co-equal", then such is your prerogative, but do not demand that I recognize the same, or that our public officials recognize the same, or that national or international government bodies recognize the same. Your poodle is a pet, owned by you. There is nothing inherently demeaning about the term "pet", especially when applied to an animal.
Finally: Your pet is not as smart as you. No other species of animal exhibits intelligence comparable to your intelligence. Not pigs. Not dogs. Not dolphins. Not corvids. Not chimpanzees.
Some animals are capable of singular intellectual feats such as communication, recognizing elementary object relationships, recognizing abstract concepts such as "around", "other", "again", and even "and" and "or". Some can use or fashion rudimentary tools to solve simple problems. Some can be trained to memorize an impressive number of commands, tricks, behaviours, games, and services. But as impressive as these accomplishments are, they pale in comparison to your intellect.
The depth of abstraction in human thought, our capacity for observation, memorization, incorporation, insight, synthesis, interpretation and understanding exceeds that of the animal kingdom by margins that cannot be rightly quantified. You do not see the world as animals do. Ninety-nine percent of all that you know and comprehend is impossible for your pet to know and comprehend. It possesses only the tiniest fraction of your knowledge and understanding.
This is not to say that we cannot learn from animals, and it is not to say that animals cannot possess wisdom. Nor is it to say that animals are stupid. Animals are gifted with precisely enough intellect to survive, plus a little bit extra to humble and impress us every once in a while. But they are not us. They should not be used as exemplars for our own behaviour. And it is fair, sensible, and reasonable to regard ourselves as intellectually superior, and to base all judgments accordingly.
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Virgil Showlion
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[b]leones potest resistere[/b]
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Oct 23, 2013 8:17:39 GMT -5
I've had plenty of pets. I think they're wonderful.
It's this trend of acting as though the animal is the principal rather than the subordinate party in the relationship that I don't get.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2013 8:22:09 GMT -5
I've had plenty of pets. I think they're wonderful. It's this trend of acting as though the animal is the principal rather than the subordinate party in the relationship that I don't get. I don't get it when parents have that relationship with their kids, either. ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/confused.png)
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Virgil Showlion
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[b]leones potest resistere[/b]
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Oct 23, 2013 8:30:34 GMT -5
Well I'd love to explain it to you but I need my dog's permission first... And he's taking a well-deserved nap right now, so I'll have to get back to you on that. ![](http://images.proboards.com/v5/images/smiley/tongue.png) Tell him "no". Put him in his pen if he won't comply. That's partly what this thread is about. We've used language like "my cat won't let me..." and "my dog insists on..." in jest so often that I wonder if some people don't start believing it. Sure, if your cat likes to pad across your keyboard every once in a while to get rubbed, it's cute and tolerable. But if kitty is genuinely impacting your ability to work, kitty gets put wherever it can't disrupt things anymore. Or at least it should. If not, it may be a sign that you're taking the whole "my pet is the boss" dynamic too seriously.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Oct 23, 2013 8:37:52 GMT -5
Note to self: don't include pics of The Turtle in a holiday card to Virgil, do ask advise from the fish if a card should be send to such a person.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2013 8:43:38 GMT -5
Please tell me you put a Santa hat on The Turtle for the picture! ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/pray.gif)
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Oct 23, 2013 8:52:38 GMT -5
The ant farm you had as a six-year-old does not count. ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/raspberries.png)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2013 8:54:35 GMT -5
But the rock still does, right?!? ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/grin.png)
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Oct 23, 2013 8:57:29 GMT -5
What's a corvid? ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/huh.gif)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2013 9:01:48 GMT -5
A smart bird! From Wiki:
They are considered the most intelligent of the birds, and among the most intelligent of all animals[4][5] having demonstrated self-awareness in mirror tests (European Magpies) and tool making ability (crows, rooks[6])—skills until recently regarded as solely the province of humans and a few other higher mammals. Their total brain-to-body mass ratio is equal to that of great apes and cetaceans, and only slightly lower than in humans.[7]
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Oct 23, 2013 9:10:35 GMT -5
I bet my Aussie knew the answer, but I'm at work so I couldn't ask her. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/sad.png)
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Bluerobin
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Post by Bluerobin on Oct 23, 2013 9:19:41 GMT -5
Just ask Crabby and she will tell you the Beckster is the boss!
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Oct 23, 2013 9:21:58 GMT -5
So what type of bird excreted on Virgil's windshield this morning?
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Oct 23, 2013 9:43:06 GMT -5
Please tell me you put a Santa hat on The Turtle for the picture! ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/pray.gif) Hmmm....that's a tough one, I don't celebrate Christmas, but I know Virgil does....going back to fish for advise!!!
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Oct 23, 2013 9:45:54 GMT -5
So what type of bird excreted on Virgil's windshield this morning? I'm guessing it was not the bluebird of happiness. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/angry.png) What a ray of (non) sunshine our little geek is today.
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Otto the Orange
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Post by Otto the Orange on Oct 23, 2013 9:46:00 GMT -5
does it count that my pet doesn't let me buy "made in china" pet treats / food?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2013 9:48:15 GMT -5
Please tell me you put a Santa hat on The Turtle for the picture! ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/pray.gif) Hmmm....that's a tough one, I don't celebrate Christmas, but I know Virgil does....going back to fish for advise!!! Santa hat/yarmulke....either one works for me! ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/grin.png)
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sesfw
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Post by sesfw on Oct 23, 2013 9:49:24 GMT -5
Clearly Virgil doesn't have any pets!
![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/yeahthat.gif)
The king-pin of our home is a 4 yr old long hair Persian kitty named Hunter. He is our child and is loved and treated as such. He even gets his face washed each day. And every couple of months goes to the local vet for a hair cut. He is our fur-baby, he is family.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Oct 23, 2013 10:06:59 GMT -5
I am totally staff and the cats are smarter than me.
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Oct 23, 2013 10:16:24 GMT -5
I obviously missed what ever got Virgil's knickers twisted. But I have to say " I agree".
If a pet is not exhibiting the desired behavior, it's the owners fault. If pet is in charge- it is the owners fault.
Pets are not intelligent- but some are definitely more malleable than others. Just ask my aussie who is way too "smart".
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Oct 23, 2013 10:37:27 GMT -5
I obviously missed what ever got Virgil's knickers twisted. But I have to say " I agree". If a pet is not exhibiting the desired behavior, it's the owners fault. If pet is in charge- it is the owners fault. Pets are not intelligent- but some are definitely more malleable than others. Just ask my aussie who is way too "smart". Virgil's knickers are permanently twisted - I have no idea how he gets into them each day. And my cats are definitely smarter than DH or I. They have us trained to feed them at the same time each day, at their command. Clearly, we are either doing something very right, or very wrong. ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/tongue2.png)
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Oct 23, 2013 10:43:52 GMT -5
I obviously missed what ever got Virgil's knickers twisted. But I have to say " I agree". If a pet is not exhibiting the desired behavior, it's the owners fault. If pet is in charge- it is the owners fault. Pets are not intelligent- but some are definitely more malleable than others. Just ask my aussie who is way too "smart". I was redirected to a site called "pets360" while reading an article. A popup there asks you if you've been adopted by a pet yet. It's their way of getting you to register for their site. It was a "good grief" moment for me. It also reminded me of Starbucks putting up cutsie signs: "Pets, please let your human buy coffee while you wait outside." as a way to indicate that pets aren't allowed in the store.
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wyouser
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Post by wyouser on Oct 23, 2013 10:43:57 GMT -5
I cannot speak for cats...BUT..concerning dogs and humans....Everything pertaining to the canines ownership of and relationship to humans is to be found in the 24 page contract located in the final "period" at the bottom of your American Kennel Club documentation that you received when your dog took posession of you. It is all there, in black and white, clear as mud......just refer to that last "period" ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/laugh.png)
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lexxy703
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Post by lexxy703 on Oct 23, 2013 10:46:37 GMT -5
Maggie is definitely the boss in my house. She is the newest household member but went straight to the top of the food chain. When she demands kitty treats I jump to attention & give her kitty treats.
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ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Oct 23, 2013 11:03:10 GMT -5
That same rule should apply for small children. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/tongue.png)
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Oct 23, 2013 11:18:24 GMT -5
Yeah but when you put your kids in a crate for 8 hours a day CPS freaks the hell out.
I was like "look lady, the only difference between that crate and a play pen is that they can't climb out of the crate.". Then she was all "deputy please cuff this asshole." It was bogus.
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Value Buy
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Post by Value Buy on Oct 23, 2013 11:20:01 GMT -5
We have inherited a pet rabbit from a grandchild who got bored with it. It is a small European something or other breed, about a lb in size. My wife and I are astounded as to how smart it is. I will not embarrass myself here on the boards with details, but quite frankly, she is cute and does funny things. We never thought rabbits were "smart" but this one knows how to work it's handlers for earning optimal living standards and snacks for itself. It is smarter than our Golden Retriever, or at least more responsive. Then again, we think our Golden might be suffering from depression ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/wink.png) For the first time ever, at our August county fair, my wife wanted to visit the 4 H farm pens and see the rabbits, regardless of the smell. My wife says I am no longer allowed to go hunting and shoot rabbits. They are too smart (and cute) to kill them. It is a good thing we do not have a Bambi in a pen in the backyard. No word on Mallard ducks yet, but I think if we had one, it would be on the no hit list too.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2013 11:36:15 GMT -5
My dog is definitely better looking than me, but I think we are about equal in intelligence. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/tongue.png)
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ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Oct 23, 2013 11:36:31 GMT -5
And you can train your rabbit to use a litter box.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Oct 23, 2013 11:39:20 GMT -5
And you can train your rabbit to use a litter box. While my 3.5 yr old keeps telling me that he doesn't want to poop anywhere else but his diapers and I HAVE to change them
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