Tag Archives: animals

Why Cats are Cool and Dogs are, well, Dogs…

Posted on by
3

I’ve long held the belief that cats are cooler than dogs and now new research from Japan has validated that belief even more. Why? Because although they recognise their owners’ voices, cats simply ‘never evolved to care’ – which might explain their disdainful looks when humans try to ingratiate themselves with love and affection.

But it’s precisely this laissez-faire attitude towards their owners that I’ve always loved about cats. They aren’t needy in the way that dogs are, they are independent creatures and they know exactly what they want from life – generally sleep (in abundance), the occasional stretch or cuddle, smaller animals to torment before killing and a plentiful supply of delicious food (when I was little my cats used to drive Mum to despair by turning their noses up at all but the most expensive cat food – and quite right too, we humans prefer luxury to budget don’t we? Why shouldn’t they?)

Don’t get me wrong, dogs are delightful little things, with their big, sad eyes, earnest faces and yappy demeanours. It’s charming the way they race down the hallway to greet their owners after even the briefest of separations – if only we humans were so grateful for one another’s attention, the world might be a more friendly place.

But what it boils down to for me is independence. If you’re a cat owner and you want to go on holiday, no problem! You can buy an electronic feeder and get the neighbour to check in once in a while, happy in the knowledge your feline friend won’t be in the least bit bothered. Dog owners, however, can’t possibly leave their faithful mutts to fend for themselves. Oh no, it’s either costly kennel fees or begging notes to friends for dog sitters. What a hassle!

Nope, whatever arguments there may be to the contrary I’m afraid I’m just too entrenched in Cat Camp to even consider defecting to its canine equivalent. Cats rule. End of. And if you don’t like my argument, I don’t even care…

Resting place

Posted on by
Reply

As the creeping fingers of dawn reached up through the morning mist to stroke the tops of the pines, a solitary figure made its way with stoic determination toward s the highest point. Swaddled in layer upon layer of thick woollen clothing to keep the biting cold at bay, it would not have been immediately obvious to a bystander whether the form was male or female, though it was evidently human. On its feet were green wellington boots, in its arms a large earthenware pot. As it walked the ground crackled beneath its feet. The sound of twigs snapping echoed around the forest, sending the animals who resided there – unused as they were to human presence – scurrying for cover. From all around the sound of birdsong rang out as if heralding the new arrival.

At length the figure reached the brow of the hill and stopped. It pulled down the hood of its coat to reveal the face of an elderly woman, deep lines carved like tributaries through her pale, leathery skin. Her blue eyes, though sunken now, were nonetheless still bright with the memory of a bygone youth. And now they blazed with memories of another.

The woman removed the lid of the urn with the greatest of care and, turning away from the wind, emptied its contents into the air. The ashes danced in the breeze as they floated away, over the tops of the pines and out of sight. In life her husband had loved this forest, it seemed only fitting that in death he should become a part of it.

“Good bye, my darling.” The woman exhaled, allowing herself the smallest of smiles as she wiped away a solitary tear.

Then, her work done, she began her slow descent to journey home.

Image

I took this photo at the top of a hill in Shimla, northern India, after an arduous 30 minute trek to see the enormous statue of a monkey god that resided there. Seeing this view made it all the more worthwhile.