Do you have a pet? I'm talking about non human species for you dommes out there (mammals, fish, birds, reptiles). Would you say your pet has feelings? A personality? Is capable of communicating with you? Just curious to see what most people think out there.
Animal Question
- Thread starter Chillroy
- Start date
I have a hobby/business breeding reptiles, so yes, I have quite a few pets. I've got a few cats as well. The cats definitely have personalities, and emotions. The one gets jealous quite easily. The reptiles... there are a few that have distinct personalities. But as for emotions... that's a stretch.
Cycleguy007
Banned
Mrs. Cycleguy likes pussy!
No... not THAT kind, (Well she likes that too, but we are not talking about that in this thread!) I'm talking about the 4 legged kind! We have 2 cats... and they definitely have personality.
We have a male cat- very cute, loves to be in the same room as us- loves to be cuddled and played with! Definitely a people cat!
We also have a female cat- also very cute, but hates men! My daughters and the misses can walk right up to her, pet her, pick her up and snuggle with her etc... when my son or I or any other guys that may visit... she runs away! WTF... must be lesbian! LOL
Both of them are capable of communication... when they want fresh water, when the food dish needs "topped up" or when its time for a belly rub... they also "speak" back to us when we "talk" to them... different kinds of "meows" mean different things... strange I know, but true.
We are cat people.
No... not THAT kind, (Well she likes that too, but we are not talking about that in this thread!) I'm talking about the 4 legged kind! We have 2 cats... and they definitely have personality.
We have a male cat- very cute, loves to be in the same room as us- loves to be cuddled and played with! Definitely a people cat!
We also have a female cat- also very cute, but hates men! My daughters and the misses can walk right up to her, pet her, pick her up and snuggle with her etc... when my son or I or any other guys that may visit... she runs away! WTF... must be lesbian! LOL
Both of them are capable of communication... when they want fresh water, when the food dish needs "topped up" or when its time for a belly rub... they also "speak" back to us when we "talk" to them... different kinds of "meows" mean different things... strange I know, but true.
We are cat people.
I love animals and I do have a male cat. My pet has feelings and a huge personality with an ego that fills the room when he is awake...lol. He is a great friend and very loving.
Apparently cats have over 100 types of sounds to communicate with. I can tell what he wants just by his sound. If he wants me to pet him or to be brushed (which he loves), when he wants to eat, play, etc.
Sometimes he makes sounds and my fiancee and I just stare at each other and wonder where he came up with this new sound. It happens quite frequently and we get a kick out of it.
Apparently cats have over 100 types of sounds to communicate with. I can tell what he wants just by his sound. If he wants me to pet him or to be brushed (which he loves), when he wants to eat, play, etc.
Sometimes he makes sounds and my fiancee and I just stare at each other and wonder where he came up with this new sound. It happens quite frequently and we get a kick out of it.
I just found this article and I had to post it.
Here is the article and a picture of this cute cat:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...cat-catches-the-daily-bus-for-four-years.html
Casper, which is 12 years old, boards the No3 service at 10.55am from outside his home in Plymouth, Devon, and travels the entire 11-mile route before returning home about an hour later.
On the route, the cat passes an historic dockyard and naval base, a city centre, several suburbs and the city's red light district.
He has been making the journey for so long that all First Bus drivers have now been told to look out for him to ensure he gets off at the right stop.
Susan Finden, 65, a care worker who is Casper's owner, said: "Casper has always disappeared for hours at a time but I never understood where he was going.
"I called him Casper because he had a habit of vanishing like a ghost. But then some of the drivers told me he had been catching the bus.
"I couldn't believe it at first, but it explains a lot. He loves people and we have a bus stop right outside our house so that must be how he got started - just following everyone on.
"I used to catch the odd bus too so maybe he saw me and got curious what I was doing.
"Casper is quite quick for his age so he just hops on to the bus before the doors close. He catches the 10.55am service and likes to sit on the back seat."
Rob Stonehouse, one of the drivers on the route, said: "He usually just curls up at the back of the bus. Sometimes he nips between people's legs but he never causes any trouble."
Casper has travelled an estimated 20,000 miles but Mrs Finden says because he is getting old the drivers often have to shuffle him off at the right stop.
A spokeswoman for First Bus said the firm has put a notice up in the office asking them to look after the non-paying passenger.
Here is the article and a picture of this cute cat:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...cat-catches-the-daily-bus-for-four-years.html
Casper, which is 12 years old, boards the No3 service at 10.55am from outside his home in Plymouth, Devon, and travels the entire 11-mile route before returning home about an hour later.
On the route, the cat passes an historic dockyard and naval base, a city centre, several suburbs and the city's red light district.
He has been making the journey for so long that all First Bus drivers have now been told to look out for him to ensure he gets off at the right stop.
Susan Finden, 65, a care worker who is Casper's owner, said: "Casper has always disappeared for hours at a time but I never understood where he was going.
"I called him Casper because he had a habit of vanishing like a ghost. But then some of the drivers told me he had been catching the bus.
"I couldn't believe it at first, but it explains a lot. He loves people and we have a bus stop right outside our house so that must be how he got started - just following everyone on.
"I used to catch the odd bus too so maybe he saw me and got curious what I was doing.
"Casper is quite quick for his age so he just hops on to the bus before the doors close. He catches the 10.55am service and likes to sit on the back seat."
Rob Stonehouse, one of the drivers on the route, said: "He usually just curls up at the back of the bus. Sometimes he nips between people's legs but he never causes any trouble."
Casper has travelled an estimated 20,000 miles but Mrs Finden says because he is getting old the drivers often have to shuffle him off at the right stop.
A spokeswoman for First Bus said the firm has put a notice up in the office asking them to look after the non-paying passenger.
I have 3 cats, each of them have their own personalities, and them having feelings of course. they get sad and lonely just like anyone else.
I'm a biologist and I also have pets.
Usually the more evolved...the more perceived personality in animals.
Ultimately though, we're all just animals with certain traits and responses to stimuli. Who's to say that our human emotions/personalities aren't more than just more complex reactions to the stimuli we encounter.
Oh yeah...religious folks will say that humans have that "divine" spark. I'm not saying it isn't there...just that I haven't been able to find it with a microscope yet.
Usually the more evolved...the more perceived personality in animals.
Ultimately though, we're all just animals with certain traits and responses to stimuli. Who's to say that our human emotions/personalities aren't more than just more complex reactions to the stimuli we encounter.
Oh yeah...religious folks will say that humans have that "divine" spark. I'm not saying it isn't there...just that I haven't been able to find it with a microscope yet.
Well, as humans we are self aware, don't know if any other animal has that. Maybe whales and dolphins etc.
I have a cat and he definitely has a personality. He acts goofy when he wants to play, he TELLS me when he wants food, or wakes up and can't find me, plays hide and seek, since I live in my shop, he ALWAYS wants to sit nearby and watch me work, more than a few times he'll be sitting on the end of the work bench lying on a pair of pliers or something and I'll tell him to hand them to me, he KNOWS I want him to do something, just doesn't know what. Oh, and he will sit next to me on the couch while I play video games for HOURS. He also likes to watch the hockey game. (this only happened after I got a plasma screen, I don't think he could 'see' the rear projection screen I used to have).
I have a cat and he definitely has a personality. He acts goofy when he wants to play, he TELLS me when he wants food, or wakes up and can't find me, plays hide and seek, since I live in my shop, he ALWAYS wants to sit nearby and watch me work, more than a few times he'll be sitting on the end of the work bench lying on a pair of pliers or something and I'll tell him to hand them to me, he KNOWS I want him to do something, just doesn't know what. Oh, and he will sit next to me on the couch while I play video games for HOURS. He also likes to watch the hockey game. (this only happened after I got a plasma screen, I don't think he could 'see' the rear projection screen I used to have).
Prim0 said:
stimulus response, him or me? lol.....Funny thing is, (and I'm not saying he's "thinking") is that if he wants some attention, he'll do something he's not supposed to do and make SURE I see him doing it lol. He is seriously like a 2 yr old kid.
Chillroy said:
If you are interested in reading on the topic try doing a search on Cognitive Ethology - a few of my favorites.
http://www.amazon.com/Species-Mind-Philosophy-Cognitive-Ethology/dp/0262011638
http://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Lives-Animals-Scientist-Explores/dp/1577315022
http://www.pleasurablekingdom.com/
http://www.jeffreymasson.com/animal-books/when-elephants-weep.html
Of course cats have personalities and moods. Currently I have two toms, and they are very different and enjoy different things, different foods, different ways of playing.
Compromised said:
One thing I have noticed with my cat more so than any other cat I've owned is that he is SO a pack animal. Doesn't matter what I'm eating or drinking he wants some even if he doesn't like it. If I don't give him any he'll roll around being all submissive hoping I'll give him some.
He's funny in another way too: he loves ice cubes. If I go to the freezer and get some for a drink he HAS to get one. I put one in a saucer on the floor and the little bugger will lick it until it's just about gone.
I saw a segment on "daily planet" and they were discussing if you make a big deal about one bowl of food over another, a dog will go for the one you were making the fuss over.
Chillroy said:
Yes to all the above.
My current male cat fancies himself knowledgeable about all forms of home construction and when I'm either working on a project or have hired someone to do it, he will usually be on-hand to offer constructive criticism. To date he has indicated his mastery of: HVAC (he really liked the installer who was more than happy to "converse" with him on the project), electrical, plumbing and most recently insulating and drywall. I'm thinking of sending him to visit tboy to see if he can pick up some woodworking tips.
Just the other day I was lazing in bed trying to put off getting back to my reno project when he popped up and dropped a piece of foam insulation on my chest (yes I know, not a good toy for him.. thought I had cleaned up all my bits). I think he was telling me to get back to work!
I have had dogs and we have had cats, we are currently without a pet, and they all had they own personalities. I am a dog person, but I like cats and my girlfriend is a cat person, but likes dogs.
We are very close to getting another pet.
We are very close to getting another pet.
Chillroy said:
Pets definitely have personalities. I have 3 cats.. one is the alpha male in the house who bosses his brother (who is from the same litter) around. He will literally kick him off the sofa by licking him and then biting him and takes the spot that he wants. He can also open the shower door with his paw. Then there is the submissive brother who is very friendly towards people and will greet them at the door and who waits patiently while the other cats eat. Then there is the almost adult cat who is wild, loud and impatient. Meows from him are liked long drawn out words. He will disappear outside all night and once came home with a big rat in his mouth. He's a bit of a loner and doesnt like being held that much. That might be because I found him as a kitten and believe he was abandoned by his owner or his mother. I've had the brothers for over 10 years and they are very attached to me. I can't really speak for the third one. He's friendlier now and is warming up to me over time. I find cats interesting because pets are a lot like their owners. I find my cats have similar personality traits as I do.
i have a cat, i'm very jealous of it, it gets stroked way more than I do. When I die, i want to come back as a cat im my house. ( i mean my poor widow's house).
Cycleguy already knows I am no longer talking about my pet/best friend (who happenes to be blocking my computer screen right now) on Terb any more.
Similar threads
