Evening star., 1947-11-06
This and That
Bu Charles +. TrdcelDeH
FALLS CHURCH, Va.

Dear Sir:
"It is only fair to state that while I have
never been cat fancier T believe they have
more interesting characteristics than any other
domestic animal, and should be adopted by
twos.
"I was given charge of two handsome toms,
one coal black and the other tiger, both
brothers under IL months old. and full grown.
1T Is extremely amusing and entertaining to
watch these cats cavorting about the rooms.
with such stealth and cunning as they sneak
up on one another, hiding under valance, or
creeping around another corner, finally emerg-
ing from q different angle and being pounced
upon by the other, and finally curling up In
the arms of the other for long sleep.
"Now the dog is horse of another color,
as he derives more pleasure from playing ball
and chasing squirrels and rabbits, is content
to eat his salad of four vegetables, which
furnishes him calcium, and sip of conee
after dinner, and Is among the best OF COM
panions, but would recommend adoption Of
a cat with dog from the inception, Tor a
complete household ensemble. not bringing in
the cat or the dog after one or the other has
grown up, and by all means never feed one
from the others pan, as there Is certain
amount of jealousy in all domestic animals and
it is poor psychology.
Sincerely yours, O. s. c."
The intelligence Of animals has been the sub
1ecG OF several DOCKS.
Such books usually are boresome, because the
authors seem to feel that they must do too
much balancing.
Some people think so and so, the author
saws. and others think thus and thus, but the
facts are, etc.
Perhaps this care comes about because the
author who is discussing the Intelligence of
animals cannot get inside the creatures heads
and actually know what they are thinking.
vic ir1r rrlo 70
make guess at whether the creatures think,
and how much, and in what way, but when
all is said and done, the results are only
guesses.
Behind those beautiful eyes lies a world
into which mankind can never go very far.
The Creator drew silken curtain over the
soul of animals, and even their ways OF think
ing are almost unknown to U.s.
1t is certain that both cats and dogs think
a great deal more than the experimenters be-
lieve
Consider Smoky, the Persian.
He came in that rainy afternoon-remember?
and sat around waiting for dinner.
Having a good home of his own, he never
theless likes to go visiting, and has discovered
that this family serves good food.
He waited patiently, ate his dinner-and
then retired beneath big chair.
He had never done this before, but he had
departed as soon as he had eaten, in the
frank cat manner.
But today it was raining!
So he deliberately waited beneath the chair
until the rain stopped, and almost as soon as
the drops ceases Smoky got up and went to
the back door to 60 home.
He used his ears, evidently, to serve his brain,
in order to keep from getting wet.
This seemed to be cat intelligence of a high
order.
The old country saying, He didn't have
enough sense to come in out of the rain,' was
answered in reverse.
Smoky not only came out Of the rain, but
he stayed out OF it, too.
The idea of adopting cats in pairs, two
brothers, for instance, is good one, and often
insisted upon by true cat friends who have
them to give away.
Such animal friendships last for life, and
afford many entertaining pictures, as well
as happiness to the animals.
Mostly they play together, but at times fight,
but even such combats are more in fun than
anything else, They always lack the bitter
quality which distinguishes human feuds
Man has done much study OF animal psychol-
ogy, but only the surface has been broken;
more humanity must be used. If we are ever to
get the whole good in the animal mind.