Galt's Gulch

Another (beautiful) side of Ayn:

Posted by Joy1inchrist 8 years, 3 months ago to Ask the Gulch
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So, Gulchers ... how would you cast your vote - cats or dogs? https://books.google.com/books?id=G7V...

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  • Posted by Herb7734 8 years, 3 months ago
    My neighborhood abounds in cats and dogs. Previous to where I now live, I had never experienced so many pet lovers. Since I have a beagle which is a small hound, she loves to chase cats, squirrels and the occasional rabbit. With cats, however, if she manages to corner an old lazy one she just stares at it and eventually bonds with it. So, now we have a situation where she chases some cats, and doesn't chase others. It's as if she is saying, "hey, I'm a senior dog, I'll reserve my chasing for a select few".
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    • Posted by Joy1inchrist 8 years, 3 months ago
      Herb, animals have such distinct "personalities" and traits. Your beagle reacts to other animals differently, according to their behavior. Amazing creature, isn't she?
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      • Posted by Herb7734 8 years, 3 months ago
        You said it.
        I have come to love her more than most people I know.
        There's a bit of nuttiness in that, perhaps, but I know it is the good kind.

        By the way, Joyinchrist, you are aware that you're in a blog dedicated to the works of a militant atheist, are you not? To many, the name you use is intolerable. I can tolerate it - but then, I'm easy.
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  • Posted by $ allosaur 8 years, 3 months ago
    I would have had a vet put that poor old cat out of its misery.
    Have done it before. I had a cat for 7 years until a Siberian Husky messed up its spine. I wasn't going to have my cat drag itself around by its front paws. What kind of life is that for a cat?
    Broke my heart. Had the vet give me back the body so I could dig it a nice grave in the back yard.
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  • Posted by roneida 8 years, 3 months ago
    I have had one cat,a male Persian who we named "Ayatollah", this was in the early 70's and over the years 4, female Samoyed dogs. The dogs came from Siberia originally and were critical of communism from birth, but the cat was totally unconcerned with politics. Loved them all.
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  • Posted by teri-amborn 8 years, 3 months ago
    We have lived in a rural setting for 20 years now.
    Early on, cats began adopting us.

    The first one was a 3-legged cat that we named Shorn. Then came Mascara Loo and on and on...

    There have been at least 50 cats who have come and gone. Some die of old age or disease. Some just disappear. We suspect that some have been taken by either the bald eagles or osprey...or perhaps wolves or coyotes.

    We even raised an abandoned newborn kitten. She is still with us. Her name is Dolly Doodle.

    What a crazy thing that they trust us to take care of them!
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    • Posted by johnpe1 8 years, 3 months ago
      animals call tell, about people. . their sense of self-
      preservation makes a genuinely helpful human into
      a port in the storm of life. . you should feel complimented. -- j
      .
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  • Posted by wiggys 8 years, 3 months ago
    Miss Rand probably had the same thoughts about the country and that is was dying and tried her best to explain why. She did know that her cat could not be helped and she also knew the country could not be helped.

    I have had about 10 cats, 2 that sailed with me. I have fond memories of all. Now I have a dog and when she goes if it is before me I will have fond memories of her. Is there a difference, for me absolutely none. All have brought the same enjoyment in their own way.
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    • Posted by Joy1inchrist 8 years, 3 months ago
      Astute observation, Wiggys! Ayn Rand did her best to save her cat ... and as we all know, her country, as well.
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      • Posted by wiggys 8 years, 3 months ago
        As I have given the subject more thought it must have been very difficult for her to see the usa declining. After all she had one experience seeing what happened in Russia. Then seeing it here in a country that offered her an opportunity she would never have had in Russia or any European country which still does not readily exist there. Unfortunately those who have been critical of her think she was a person without emotions, just the opposite. You can hear it in her interviews specifically when she talks about her husband. She was the greatest lose in my opinion of any thinkers of her time. .
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  • Posted by term2 8 years, 3 months ago
    I have both a cat and two dogs. They are totally different, except they all immediately know when a person is OK with themselves and safe for the animal. There is no manipulation or discussion with an animal- they like and accept you or they dont.

    There are teeth and claws that come out when they dont like you. If they like you, they curl up at your feet and stay with you.
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    • Posted by Joy1inchrist 8 years, 3 months ago
      Yes, I have had both ... a black lab named "Anthem" (!) in the 70's and numerous cats before and since. And, yes! I agree cats, in general, are sooooooo very different than dogs. The word I hear most to describe cats is "independent". It could be that was why Miss Rand was so drawn to her feline companions, eh?
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  • Posted by Joy1inchrist 8 years, 3 months ago
    Carl, what an amazing cat you had - you guys must have really bonded!!! I think of it as an honor when a cat befriends you to that extent. I have been trying to tame "Ethan", my neighbor's cat for 6 years now. He finally now alllows me to pet him, almost every day. I used to feed him treats in the early morning and he got so used to it, he would greet me at the front door, awaiting his treat.
    : )
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    • Posted by $ Olduglycarl 8 years, 3 months ago
      The amazing part is that he choose me.
      I've actually had three like that...the most recent in the nineties I rescued from a tree, a 8 week old kitten...I took care of him and brought him up, he loved the dogs, Maltese and thought he was one, he loved going for rides and we took him and the dogs with us on our sailing yacht every week end...he roamed free in the neighborhood but was always waiting for me when I came home...one day he wasn't waiting...we never new what happened. I haven't had one since...I can no longer endure that pain.
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      • Posted by Joy1inchrist 8 years, 3 months ago
        Seems like your "tree kitty" had quite a life, surrounded by others who loved him ... and loved life! These animals/pets/critters can bring such joy and pleasure to us! And Carl, regarding the pain of loss, I can relate to that. I have 2 precious cats myself, Maya and Zoe, sisters I rescued. Next month they will be 6 years old and I occasionally allow myself to realize that in another 6 to 8 years, they will be gone ... a thought I can barely stand. So, when you expressed your feelings of not wanting to endure that pain again, I can understand. And ... I suspect we can both relate to what Ayn was feeling about her beloved Frisco.
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  • Posted by $ Olduglycarl 8 years, 3 months ago
    I've had both...I'm a dog guy but the few cats I've had were as attentive as a dog. I had one cat that took a liking to me when I was in college, when I was home, he had to be apart of everything I did...even when I was working on my 240Z...I'd swear, he would of handed me a wrench if he could. If I went away, he hid in the storm drain till I came back...I do miss that cat.
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  • Posted by Joy1inchrist 8 years, 3 months ago
    I think her focus was, almost exclusively, on the care of her beloved cat, Frisco. Though Dr. Higgins' philosophy did not mirror hers, he was an excellent veterinarian (who also realized it would benefit no one to verbalize these opinions to her.). Miss Rand had many dealings with professionals who didn't agree with her - and was very gracious. Her attorney, Eugene Winick, her literary agent, Perry Knowlton and even Phil Donohue likely had similar opinions of her, but they all enjoyed mutually satisfying professional relationships.
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  • Posted by $ Thoritsu 8 years, 3 months ago
    We have three Labs. Totally dog people. I used to have cats, even one that fetched! Cats are ok, but I like dogs better. Plan to get a Maine Coon Cat when we get our place in NH. Those cats are awesome.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 3 months ago
    One of my ex wives had our dog picked up by the animal shelter and gassed. I was on a military field exercise at the time. I divorced her that week. The dog was worth more. I named it after my motorcycle. Haven't thought about what's her name for decades. I signed up for program where they ask if you were single, , divorced, etc. and when. I could them the day the dog was killed but not the date of the divorce. I pick motorcycles and dogs better than spouses so since then I' remained single. Two strikes is enough.

    But for those of you who have made it work. Ten Thumbs Up!
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  • Posted by Wanderer 8 years, 3 months ago
    Dogs for companionship and utility - your cat's unlikely to wake you up when someone breaks into your house. Nor will the cat scare anyone away.

    But, dogs require commitment whereas outdoor cats can survive on their own.

    As for which is more intelligent, my neighbors had a cat that died on the operating table and wasn't revived for 4 or 5 minutes. It used to follow me around when I worked outside, even mowing the lawn.

    The neighbors thought the cat was brain damaged. I thought it more likely because of the near death experience, the cat saw the error of his ways and, decided to clean up his life and act more like a dog.
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  • Posted by johnpe1 8 years, 3 months ago
    I figured that she was like that ... a real person with
    real sensibilities about innocent life ... you just can't
    love such characters to life, like Francisco, Dagny,
    Eddie, Hank, even the bum on the train ... without
    being a three-dimensional person who loves life. -- j

    p.s. I ordered the book;;; Thanks!
    .
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    • Posted by Joy1inchrist 8 years, 3 months ago
      John, I'm certain you will thoroughly enjoy the book. I'm sure you know this but (for fellow Gulchers), the excerpt that I linked you to comes from the book, "100 voices" containing interviews of 100 people who knew Miss Rand on a personal and/or professional level. Astounding insights into this amazing woman!
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