#dogs

By standard intelligence texts, the dogs have failed at the puzzle. I believe, by contrast that they have succeeded magnificently. They have applied a novel tool to the task. We are that tool. Dogs have learned this--and they see us as fine general-purpose tools, too: useful for protection, acquiring food, providing companionship. We solve the puzzles of closed doors and empty water dishes. In the folk psychology of dogs, we humans are brilliant enough to extract hopelessly tangled leashes from around trees; we can conjure up an endless bounty of foodstuffs and things to chew. How savvy we are in dogs' eyes! It's a clever strategy to turn to us after all. The question of the cognitive abilities of dogs is thereby transformed; dogs are terrific at using humans to solve problems, but not as good at solving problems when we're not around. ↗

— Alexandra Horowitz

#dogs #food

Any man with money to make the purchase may become a dog's owner. But no man --spend he ever so much coin and food and tact in the effort-- may become a dog's Master without consent of the dog. Do you get the difference? And he whom a dog once unreservedly accepts as Master is forever that dog's God. ↗

— Albert Payson Terhune

#dogs #pets #food

If we stay with animal analogies for a moment, owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are god. (Cats may sometimes share the cold entrails of a kill with you, but this is just what a god might do if he was in a good mood.) ↗

— Christopher Hitchens

#dogs #god #food

Dogs, for a reason that can only be described as divine, have the ability to forgive, let go of the past, and live each day joyously. It’s something the rest of us strive for. ↗

— Jennifer Skiff

#dog-rescue #dogs #forgive #forgiveness #joy

Never mind, said Hachiko each day. Here I wait, for my friend who’s late. I will stay, just to walk beside you for one more day. ↗

— Jess C. Scott

#dog #dogs #friends #friendship #hachiko

Dogs have their day but cats have 365. ↗

— Lilian Jackson Braun

#dogs #funny #funny

Once when I had remarked on the affection quite often found between cat and dog, my friend replied, "Yes. But I bet no dog would ever confess it to the other dogs. ↗

— C.S. Lewis

#dogs #embarrassment #friendship #friendship

Happiness is a warm puppy. ↗

— Charles M. Schulz

#dogs #happiness #humor #puppies #humor

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. ↗

— Robert A. Heinlein

#cats #dogs #get #idea #men

Just give me a comfortable couch, a dog, a good book, and a woman. Then if you can get the dog to go somewhere and read the book, I might have a little fun. ↗

— Groucho Marx

#humor #innuendo #naughty #humor