For those who celebrate

These posts are sisters

I've always interpreted these stories as in-universe fairytales that doesn't have any base besides 'big cats exist'. The clans have heard about them, and of course they are imagining these big cats living in the same way as they do, because that's the only way of living they know of. And they are imagining them living here, where they live, because this is basically the only place they know of.

"Our ancestors were tigers and leopards" - a myth, like when humans said "there used to be a golden age of magic when people lived for hundreds of years"

Notes, slightly spoilery for later arcs.

1. In TNP, there's a creature called Sharptooth, who is usually identified as a puma. It seems be solitary and if i'm not mistaken, doesn't speak the cats' language.

2. As per dawn of the clans, the ancestors of the clans (who were regular cats) have moved into this area, well, hard to say, but let's go with less than a hundred years ago.

That makes a lot more sense

I want a dachshund or other small dog because it seems like a good middle ground

Sorry for the unsolicited advice, but please do think it over. Dachshunds (and many other small breeds) actually require quite a lot of activity and exercise (mental and physical)*. If those needs aren't met, that can cause so many difficult behavioral problems. They're working dogs, after all: if they aren't given a job, they'll find one themselves (and it'll be likely something very annoying or unpleasant to you)

*yes, it does depend on the individual dog, but the general tendency points to those breeds being high energy

#tons of small breeds were made specifically to hunt small fast animals so like. don't get a small dog thinking it'll be easier#dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers. do you want a dog with the need to hunt badgers or do you want a little dude to hang out with#if it's the latter just get a cat

My chihuahua doxie mix has been skunked twice and has to be supervised any time she's outside so that she doesn't murder birds, lizards, and rodents. We've had to put up window treatments to keep her from fixating on cats on the other side of the glass and barking at them for hours because all she wants to do is kill.

^^^^^Wonderful companion. Smart and sweet. Not a low-maintenance animal. 0% chill.

A big dog might actually be better for people who still want dogs but aren't into cats. Greyhounds were bred for racing, but are well known for being good apartment dogs because they spend a lot of their time sleeping and are generally quiet, but their smaller cousins, the whippets, tend to bark and get clingy. You wouldn't want a greyhound near smaller animals though.

But like. Not to undermine OP's point because they're completely right. My parents love dogs but are miserable with training and walking them, they'd be better off with cats.

All I'm saying is that smaller doesn't mean more catlike.

This is precisely why I'm a cat person.

I grew up around dogs my entire life, I know what to expect.

Yet I didn't want the walking, the dirty behaviours (some of ours ate poop or rolled in it), or the training. I don't like the smell of dogs either.

I'm super allergic too (hives, sneezing, watery eyes). Coming from a family of Roma, traditionally, animals are kept outside. Which is why it was a big deal when my step mum convinced my dad to let my cat be in my room.

Mostly my family has had Patterdale terriers, Cairn terriers, Whippets, Whippet lurchers, and eventually two Labradors. My Aunt bred Springer spaniels previously.

Small dogs are not less energy, or calmer and the prey drive is ridiculous. They have very big personalities. The labradors were the calmest.

I am aware that most of the breeds I like are not suitable for me exercise or size wise. Alot of dog breeds have health issues too. I'm not an active person at all. So dogs won't suit me.

I just don't like the reality of keeping dogs. They can be pretty and friendly, but that's not everything with a pet.

Yet so many people don't realise how much dogs need. They end up with untrained dogs, who are neurotic, jump up people, and bark at everything. Sometimes even bite. As they can't look after them/train them.

I love my cat, I have barely any issues with her. I feel incredibly loved by her, yet don't have to do the amount of work that dogs need.

I just wish people did more research on cats before they judge them. So many people I know are against them. Yet don't have any experience with them. They always fall in love with my cat when they meet her. Also whats with the "cats don't care about their owners stereotype?" Zoe is incredibly loving, and even starts crying for me if I'm away from her for a bit.

A cat isn't for everyone. But neither is a dog.

I knew someone who wanted to start a family one day who got a puppy. A month after buying the puppy she was wondering how on earth she was going to handle a baby because just the puppy utterly exhausted her. Toilet training alone is very intensive.

I'm probably going to get cats one day. I prefer dogs, but my lifestyle will be a lot more friendly to a cat because I'll be living alone and working. A puppy needs to go outside every few hours; how on earth would I manage that while still having a job? And having adopted adult dogs in the past, many have issues from past neglect or abuse that I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving one at home by themselves all day. Without a yard to run free in, even a perfectly behaved dog would be miserable all day by itself, it would be cruel. I'd have to pay a fortune in doggy daycare and walkers. Maybe one day, if I have a good income, I could manage all those expenses, but not any time soon. So once I'm settled down, I'm probably going to get a couple of cats. Maybe I'll get dogs again one day, but it's very likely, given the state of the world and capitalism, I will never get to have a dog again.

@robotslenderman

Similar to dogs, You can train cats to tolerate ferrets. Ferrets have been trained to get along with other animals since ferrets were used alongside dogs to hunt rabbits.

You can get a cat to be fine with birds or rabbits, which are prey animals. I’ve seen people who do that. Barn cats need to be taught not to attack livestock like chickens or ducks for example, even chicks. Ferrets can be done too.

But it starts out with alot of supervision and getting then used to each other without letting the cat attempt to play with them or see them as food. Since their alot bigger and could hurt them. It’s not instinctual. But it can be done. Starting when they are young is easier. But be aware that kittens are very playful.

However, with any predator, even a dog, I would not leave them unsupervised. Accidents can happen, and cats are bigger than ferrets. So keep the ferrets in a cage when you can’t supervise them together.