Thursday 17 December 2009

Christmas-free zone

By this time of year, I know that many of you, both dogs and humans, will be feeling stressed about Christmas. All those presents to wrap (and unwrap..), cards to deliver, dumb photos to pose for, parties to attend, food to cook/steal, relatives to visit, family tensions to defuse....

So welcome to my blog, a Christmas-free space, where the spirit of intellectual enquiry remains active over the holiday season, and refined contemplation wins out over rampant consumerism. 

Sadly, the Scottish weather has returned to normal. But no matter. It is good to be indoors for we have serious matters to discuss today. A new and highly relevant scientific study no less! Have you seen this week's copy of the New Scientist magazine?

Yes, finally, we have conclusive and objective proof, that, all things considered, DOGS ARE SUPERIOR TO CATS.

I have already shared with article with my dear friend Stella, who occasionally has 'issues' with her resident feline Ali Zophia. We both agree that there is much here to relish. I shall quote directly from one paragraph, on the subject of the relative utility of the two species:

Dogs can hunt, herd and guard. They can sniff out drugs and bombs and even whale faeces; they guide blind and deaf people, race for sport, pull sleds, find someone buried by an avalanche, help children learn and possibly even predict earthquakes. Cats are good if you have an infestation of rodents.

I think you get the drift. 

If you want to read more, click this link: Dogs vs Cats - the Great Pet Showdown

12 comments:

Maxmom said...

Hamish, dear Hamish!
No Christmas itches at all??? Oh dear!
Listen, we only have one reason why dogs are superior to cats and it is the ONLY VALID reason!:
Mom doesn't get hayfever from Cats! This is our luckiest card because it keeps our household feline free. However, I must say that if there were indeed some kitties on the prowl this end, Tammy and I are superb kitty-eradicators! Our electric fences are also great distractors, so we have no peeing-Toms in our vicinity. Yay for New Scientist magazine!
Take care bud'!
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA
(christmas free?...now way!...
HAPPY CHRISTMAS HAMISH!!!)

Martha said...

Hi Hamish
Right now we welcome the Christmas-free zone as things hot up and our humans become increasingly stressed!
As for the dogs being more intelligent than cats.......and this backed up by research!
What can we say but warn you to be careful!
A feline scorned as they say.......we are worried about the revenge of Ali Z!
Tread carefully Hamish - these kitty cats have sharp claws!
love
Martha & Bailey xxx

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

We have always know we were smarter - and we can even catch vermin - so no cats are needed here. And Mom is not allergic to dogs.

XOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Java

PS - well Java doesn't catch vermin - if a mouse sticks it's head out, he jumps on a chair and screams like a little girl, but we diehards protect him.

Unknown said...

Mica the cat prefers to disagree. "Sure, dogs can do all those things you mentioned. But we cats are far superior - we've convinced HUMANS to do those things for us. Or to train dogs to handle those tasks. We're like ancient Egyptian royalty, with legions waiting on us, hand and foot - or paw as the case may be." Now time to get the servant to line my litter box with that New Scientist article. Bah!"

Okay - I think I got the blog back from Mica now. Did you get your new red coat yet, Hamish???

Your pal,

Petey

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

Cat's would probably say that just means dogs is more useful. As for clever, who gets to lie around all day doing nothing while dogs have to do all the work.

~lickies, Ludo

pee ess: send help, my catbro Pepe be holding a claw to my head!!

Stella said...

I do agree with Ludo and Micah (Petey's cat) that cats have no need to do things, people do things for cats. Royalty indeed. We are cat servants, unfortunately, and that is why we argue and fight a lot. When my Mom calls for me, I am right there!
When my Mom calls for Ali Z, she doesn't show up for an hour, if then. They are hopeless creatures and she still isn't back. Ludo thinks she hopped a plane for Huffle's. Who knows?

Kisses,
Stella

Two French Bulldogs said...

Oh Hamish..you are reading a very good article I am sure. You are right about all the holiday craziness...
Benny & Lily
PS. Let us know how much smarter we are..BOL

Martha said...

Hamish, we know you are a Christmas free zone but we just wanted to wish you and Gail a very happy Xmas!
We are taking a little break but will be back in the New Year and look forward to hearing all your news.
love and best wishes
Martha, Bailey & Family xxxx

Scooter said...

Oh us doggies all already know that we are smarter than cats. Thats a no brainer, no offense to Madi!!

Smiles
jazzi

Sally Ann and Andy said...

Hamish,
Be carefull because even being a senior doggie won't protect you from cat claws. I think Doggies are smart, and kitties are smart too.
Sally Ann

Bella and Ollie said...

And another thing to add : dogs are more photogenic - you would never get a cat to wear all the lovely outfits Mum finds for me to take photos of all my adventures !

Eric said...

Crickey Hamish. How long did it take the scientist bods to figure that out? I mean us dogs have know for donkeys eh? Yeah we are cleverer than them too. But you know kitties do have one other use besides the vermin chasing ... which of course I could do if I had the prey jean. Yeah kitties are good for providing kittie logs every day. Most excellent with a tot of the hard stuff.

Wiry love Eric xx