We have often wondered what our cat Cuddles thinks of how we relate to our cocker spaniel Leaf. Sometimes, she looks at us quizzically when we praise Leaf for behaviors that come second nature to her.

For example, we give Leaf positive reinforcement when he goes to the back door and squeals to be let out to relieve himself. We lavish emotional, heightened praise on him. “Oh, Leaf, good boy. You told us you have to go.”

Cuddles watches us with an expression of amazement on her face. Her world of fastidious kitty litter use and personal cleanliness, with a ritual of fur licking, is beyond a dog’s world of housetraining.

Here are a few other discrepancies between cat and dog world in our house:

Belly rubs – After watching Leaf roll over on his back to beg for a tummy rub, Cuddles tried the maneuver to see what all the fuss was about.  She found having us pet her belly to be of absolutely no interest or pleasure.

Leaf’s bed – Cuddles sprawls out on Leaf’s bed at night and manages to keep him off of it until she moves away.  Is this a power struggle or is Cuddles trying to find out if she prefers Leaf’s bed to hers? Actually her favorite bed is ours. She sleeps curled up against Linda for most of the night.

Leaf’s water bowl — Cuddles rarely drinks out of her bowl. She makes Leaf sit and wait until she finishes using his bowl before he can get a drink.

Leaf’s chew toys – Cuddles never understood this concept of chewing on a toy. She watches Leaf with an expression that says, “How disgusting!”

Leaf chasing a ball – After observing Allen bounce a ball for Leaf across the hallway, Cuddles tried to chase it a couple of times. “How boring,” she said and wandered off to lick her paws.

How do cat world and dog world differ in your home?

Allen and Linda Anderson

Angel Animals Network

www.angelanimals.net

Leaf and Cuddles Together

We had a visitor stay with us over the holidays. It was funny how our cocker spaniel Leaf, our cockatiel Sunshine, and our cat Cuddles reacted to everything being different in the house.

Our visitor was amiable, relaxed, and friendly toward our pets. It was a nice visit and we did everything we could to give him privacy and quiet, even as he slept late. Because, after all, he was on vacation.

Leaf barked at regular intervals and when he heard the slightest sound of movement from our guest. Not because he forgot we had a visitor, but mostly to tell us there was someone he didn’t know in the house.

This was an unusual type of bark that was not threatening or being upset, It was more about conveying important information. Sometimes our dog would look at us as if to say, “Don’t you see there is someone other than us here? I tell you over and over again, but he is still here, and you’re not doing anything about it!”

For eight days Leaf barked with the shock of seeing our visitor in bed, at the dining room table, watching television in the living room, and moving about the house. Leaf would quiet down some after the initial strange feet passed by him or upon hearing an unfamiliar sound.

But if a few minutes passed and there was another movement from our guest, Leaf would remember he needed to remind us – SOMEONE I DON’T KNOW IS STILL HERE! He must have thought we were the most unobservant people in the world.

How do your pets react to houseguests and visitors?

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network – Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net

All right, you resolved that in 2012 you would write that book, article, or story about the most important animal in your life. Or you have figured out some terrific methods or products for training and getting along better with pets. Or you are a nature enthusiast who wants to write about the fascinating wildlife you have met. Or you have a point of view about animals that you feel compelled to write about and share with the world.

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Allen and Linda Anderson
Woof, Meow, Write, Publish
www.allenandlindaanderson.com

“Leaf keeps his secrets to himself, so I don’t know exactly why he does things such as what he did for the grieving child. My belief is that a loving animal like Leaf is an instrument of the Divine. Someone’s heart is broken, and Spirit directs a creature with a wagging tail, soft fur, sweet eyes, and a kind heart where he’s most needed.”
–Allen Anderson, “A Dog Named Leaf Knows Where the Ow-ees Are,” ANIMALS AND THE KIDS WHO LOVE THEM, page 165

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Horse Friend

Visit our wonderful publisher’s website at www.newworldlibrary.com to see the wide array of animal books and outstanding authors published by this company. New World Library always supports animals, the environment, spiritual awareness — and us — in innovative ways.

Animals and the Kids Who Love Them
Dogs and the Women Who Love Them
Horses with a Mission
Angel Animals
Angel Animals Book of Inspiration
Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals
Angel Dogs with a Mission
Angel Horses
Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster
Rainbows & Bridges: An Animal Companion Memorial Kit
Angel Cats
Angel Dogs
You Ought to Be in Pictures by Linda Anderson

Allen and Linda Anderson
ANGEL ANIMALS NETWORK – Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net

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Leaf and Allen

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Allen and Linda Anderson
ANGEL ANIMALS NETWORK – Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net

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