'MO - August 2008 - (Page 10)

community click here to comment on this story. ply. Wild cats inevitably began to hang around the silos to hunt the vermin. This did not domesticate cats, however. Cats are naturally distrustful of anything unknown, and since, as kittens, they were not exposed to humans, they kept their hunting as invisible as possible and continued to avoid human contact. Some scientists believe we owe the domestication of cats to one cat, probably a pregnant female, who was hungry enough that she risked interaction with humans to get food. Children likely took in the kittens, exposing them to humans, and beginning domestication. Even today, kitten need to be exposed to humans to avoid becoming feral, and reverting back to their instinctive behavior. Dogs were domesticated about ten thousand years before cats, and are wired to live in packs. They’re more naturally inclined to bond with other creatures. If a dog grows up with a ﬂock of sheep, then he will identify the sheep as part of his family, and will protect them from predators. Perhaps dogs have more of a concept of emotion as it relates to others, and therefore are easier for humans to understand and communicate with. When I tell ‘cat people’ that I don’t understand cats very well, they often agree with me. I have lived with cats, and there is deﬁnitely a bond that occurs and an apparent desire, by the cat, to be given affection and to connect with the humans of the household. It’s not that cats are incapable of bonding; they just don’t need to like dogs do. Cats’ bodies are designed perfectly, and exclusively, for hunting. “Play” for cats is either hunting or practicing hunting. This is the one “job” they know. Dogs play by practicing hunting skills, but also by retrieving, herding or performing whatever tasks they were bred for. They simply love to work. Work is play and it often involves connection with someone else. This makes for a trainable animal. Domestic cats certainly seem wilder than dogs and I appreciate the difference between the two. Both species can teach us different and equally valuable lessons about living with animals and ultimately about living with other humans and ourselves. Julie is a graduate of the university of Vermont with a B.s. in animal science. Find her on the Web at www.sensitiveDog.com. Pet ProJect The Truth About Cats and Dogs By Julie Forbes Cats and dogs dominate the population of the household pet category, but why are they so socially different? I’ve looked into the evolution of each species to gain some insight into the differences between the two animals. Cats are lone hunters, while dogs hunt in packs. The fundamental need for dogs to exist socially enables humans to understand and relate to them in that way, since humans are also highly social animals. Cats don’t need to interact with other cats to survive, aside from breeding, so they are motivated differently than dogs. The Egyptians domesticated cats about 4,000 years ago. Following the shift to agriculture, grain was stored in silos as a food supply for the winter months. Rodents were attracted to the spilled grain around the silos and began eating from the human’s food sup- Take as Prescribed by your docTor in a package prescribed by you 1 MOMSPak A month’s supply of time and date-stamped individual packets making it easy for you to tear off and take on the go. 2 Medi-Set A weekly, pre-filled tray saving you time and helping you to manage your medications. Your doctor specializes in treating HIV and AIDS. Your pharmacist should too. This summer, MOMS Pharmacy—a specialty pharmacy with over 20 years of experience treating people living with HIV and AIDS— will open at Lifelong AIDS Alliance. With free delivery and a monthly refill reminder program, insurance expertise and innovative medication 3 packaging options, MOMS Pharmacy provides the tools for a healthier you. Medication Vials Traditional vials for those who prefer them. Packaging options available at no additional cost For more information visit momspharmacy.com 1017 East Union Street Seattle WA 98122 866 933-1391 10 celebrating seattle’s gay community http://www.sensitiveDog.com http://www.momspharmacy.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of 'MO - August 2008

'MO - August 2008 Contents Letter From The Editor Voices Coors Joins the Fight to Erase Hate Pet Project ’mo-BIZ: Ajaxx63 Northern Xposure Returns Lambert House Offers Youth Support Beijing, China The 2008 Gay Softball World Series in Seattle Form & Function: Vacation Nutrition An Account of the STP Bicycle Classic Book Review: Family Outing by Troy Johnson Capitol Hill Guide Live Event Review: Teatro ZinZanni’s Quest for a Queendom SceneOut: People@Places

'MO - August 2008

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