I have to post this: PBS Why We Love Cats and Dogs

[Xicano]

One of the things I like about the DU community is I noticed how caring folks here are with regard to animals. So I thought to post a link to the PBS documentary "Why We Love Cats and Dogs".

Americans own 73 million dogs and 90 million cats. They become best friends, soul mates, family members, and even surrogate children. Relationships with cats and dogs are some of the longest and most intimate of our lives. Why are we so attached? Animal behavior experts, evolutionary biologists, veterinarians, and pet owners share insights and observations about these animals and their impact on us.
Four-time Emmy Award winner, filmmaker and director Ellen Goosenberg Kent kept the 10-month production of NATURE’s Why We Love Cats and Dogs on the right track. Ellen brings a strong visual sense to the art of storytelling and was able to illuminate the dynamic human-pet relationship, revealing how dogs and cats share our emotions in many significant ways.


http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/why-we-love-cats-and-dogs/video-full-episode/4673/

[Maru Kitteh]

1. Thanks. I love my Maru (ma-woo-woo) He is the kindest being I have ever known.

Besides my husband. I have other kitties I love very, very much too, but he is my favorite.

[Kitty Herder]

2. K&R

[ccharles000]

3. k/r

[Skittles]

4. sweet

I remember a few years ago at the vet's office when I had to have a beloved 14 year old cat put to sleep, the last thing I said to him: I leaned down and whispered in my furball's ear, "Thanks for sharing the ride with me." And I think that's what it is - our pets can't lend us money or pick us up when we've had too much to drink or even talk to us when we need advice - what they do is just BE THERE for us - that's why we love them.

[lysosome]

9. You missed out!

My cats would at least try to return the favor. Hardly a week went by when there wasn't some dead critter on the porch. Occasionally I would get "meal" dropped directly at my feet, always with the attitude of "poor guy. No fangs or claws. It's a wonder you keep me in kibble".
One of these days I'm going to get an apartment that lets me keep pets.

[Skittles]

10. aw man, my cat Riff Raff

brought me a "gift" which had been totally picked over first :(

[hfojvt]

5. I would say two reasons - touch and seeming reciprocation

Pets are like babies that way, you get to pet them and hold them. With older children and adults there is much less contact, unless you crash into them. Most people you cannot hug and caress the way you can a pet. With a pet you can freely share affection and contact without any of the awkwardness or potential rejection involved in most human relationships. One exception can be a significant other, but those are harder to find than pets and can more often involve conflict and uncertainty where the pet is generally 'old faithful'.

That ties into the reciprocation. The pet will generally not say "get lost, I am playing a video game/reading/watching TV/washing my hair or doing any of 101 activities that are more important than you" or "get away from me you geek" or "geez dad you are embarrassing me, what are people gonna think?". Even if you are ugly and your mother dresses you funny and your jokes are stale and poorly delivered, you generally get a good reception from a pet. They will purr or wag their tail and jump up and down (okay, cats won't (what do people see in them anyway?)) and play fetch or pretend fight or chase. Generally they give the owner/friend the message that "you are awesome. I totally love you."

It's nice to hear that every now and then, or at least fool yourself into thinking you hear it when the dog is really saying "I hope you got me some of those biscuits that I love so much" or "I know you are not gonna eat all of that pizza by yourself" or "get the keys and take me for a ride (or walk (or both))"

Third, I suppose, are opportunities to play and be entertained by antics. Whether just playing around with a string or chasing a ball or wrestling/tearing around with another animal or doing the suppertime or car-ride dance, pets provide hours of non-competetive play and entertainment. Their joy of living rubs off on their owners.

[Obamanaut]

8. That was a very nice post. Thank you for doing it. Very close to 'eye specks.' nt

[aquart]

12. "Seeming reciprocation"?

Well, I see you are a "dog person." No wonder you suspect insincerity.

[TrogL]

30. What I see in cats

purring

lap kitty (try doing that with a St. Bernard)

tummy rubs

...and...

NO DAMN BARKING!!

[Jamastiene]

6. That is THE best thing about DU.

The vast majority of us here love our pets. :grouphug:

[BuelahWitch]

7. They ask for very little and give so much in return

My kitty just got down from a cuddle that she initiated. All I do is provide food, clean water, a clean litterbox and sometimes play fetch with one of the catnip toys. I've been very lucky that I've had sweet pets throughout my life, mostly cats, but dogs too. :loveya:

[Mabus]

11. You'll be happy to know that the little fellow you helped bring out of his shell

is sitting on my lap while I type this. You helped him trust again. Thank you. We're all forever in your debt.

[elleng]

14. Hey! The KuklaPolitans!

:grouphug:

[and-justice-for-all]

13. I love our 4 legged children...Kitties, we have 3...nt

[Cetacea]

15. Short vid of cat bathing dog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8A15aOUoRk&feature=related

[LWolf]

16. And horses.

My relationships with my horses are perhaps even stronger, since they live longer.

[Hawkowl]

25. Ditto

I have two horses and I'd swear they can read my mind. Of course my two kitties can probably read my mind as well, they just have a different agenda.

[Blue_Tires]

17. growing up, our dog was never just a 'pet' but a full-fledged family member

and she knew it, too...We had to ask her to do things; she would never respond to sharp orders or rudeness...

[Hepburn]

18. I love my Scottie Maggie beyond words...

...she is my best friend and boon companion.

:loveya:

[babydollhead]

19. kick

[DarbyUSMC]

20. That was a wonderful show. Thanks so much for the link.

[OneBlueSky]

21. with dogs, at least, it's simple . . . they return your love ten times over . . . n/t

.

[bvar22]

22. Love our critters.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=243&topic_id=6017

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

23. A must see for furbaby lovers!

[wicket]

24. I love my kitties!

[borelord]

26. life without my dogs

would be :(

[BlooInBloo]

27. People care about animals with looks or mannerisms similar to humans...

The more similar, the more we care.

Being a little big-eyed puffball of cuteness doesn't hurt either. :P

[supernova]

28. I don't know what you're talking about

[BlooInBloo]

29. Kittehs!

:)