Cats and Dogs

​I guess the first time I heard the phrase was when I was about six or seven years old and was surprised to hear it used referencing me.  A friend and I had gotten into a disagreement about something of absolutely no consequence to adults.  But to kids, it was almost the end of the world. We started arguing and name-calling, then shoving, then ended up rolling on the ground for bragging rights as to who was right, but more importantly – who was wrong. On reflection of half a century, I am pretty sure I was the one in the wrong.  However, the revelation came when my grandfather was talking about the incident with my friend's father.  He described our altercation as "going at it like cats and dogs." Now, what did that mean? My friend was wiser in the ways of the world then and grinned when he heard that phrase.  He pointed at me and said I must be the cat.  Really? With the passage of time comes the wisdom of experience, nevertheless I still tend to scratch my head.  I mean think about it.  This is where Cathy tells me that I am putting too much thought into it already.   Pressing on. Cats and dogs, for the most part, tend to either get along or at least tolerate one another.  The most endearing memory of cats and dogs not getting along was a Warner Brothers cartoon from the 1950s, where a ferocious dog is chasing Sylvester, the cat.  That was family entertainment for children and we couldn't get enough of it every Saturday morning.  Now, we are in a different culture where such cartoons are deemed either too violent, not socially appropriate, or insulting to someone somewhere. Thank goodness for the YouTube search feature. Back to reality.  Cats and dogs have many admirable and practical characteristics.  In the US alone there are millions of these four-leged animals that provide companionship. They are patient, attentive for the most part, and rarely do you hear them complain unless they need to be fed, taken outside, or are in need of affection.  Unless you have allergies, who doesn’t like kittens and puppies.  Kind of like children that way.  So cute when so little, then they grow up.  It seems though that with cats and dogs as they get older, they become more loyal and attached to their humans. Then there is the all-important economic impact.  Cats and dogs are a multi-billion dollar industry.  There is the food, comfort items, toys, veterinary bills, grooming, and on and on. On several occasions, I have been visiting residents at nursing homes.  Two things bring immediate joy to the residents – young children and pets. We are fortunate in that we have both – a cat, Sophie, and a dog-Maggie. I am convinced they both have human personas. Sophie has a determined expression and if she could talk, we would hear Stewie Griffin from the cartoon show, Family Guy.  Maggie, however, is the pure personification of a fellow canine, Odie, from the cartoon series, Garfield.  Sophie takes everything in stride.  Maggie always wants to let you know she is there. Even if absent for only an hour, Maggie reacts as though we have been gone for days.  She is big enough that when I sit down, she can put both of her paws on my shoulders and goes eyeball-to-eyeball.  She looks as though she is saying, “Where have you been?  I missed you, now sit there and take your face exfoliation.  Sophie and Maggie are not best friends, but they do tolerate each other. It is disappointing that humans can’t follow the example of cats and dogs in finding whatever it takes to mutually get along together.  We have more labels that separate us than bond us to a common purpose. I take heart in realizing that God created cats and dogs and that they can get along quite well.  God created us and we can get along just as well.  That being the case, I don't mind being the cat or the dog. Our encouragement verse for this week is: Romans 12:18  (ESV)“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” May you be blessed by God's word.~Chris Article Written by Chris Belfield