Pets in the HonorVerse

We know that there are regular cats (a la Dicey), and adopted treecats (not pets). We also know that even on pre-Diaspora Old Earth, cats with claws are known to be rather intimidating to those of the canine crowd. We also know that Nimitz learned about frisbee from watching Alfred's golden retriever. So... here's my question:

How long before one of those very socially oriented treecats decides that he/she wants a few lovable companions to raise as pets? and...

...what is a good pet/breed for a treecat?

SharkHunter wrote:We know that there are regular cats (a la Dicey), and adopted treecats (not pets). We also know that even on pre-Diaspora Old Earth, cats with claws are known to be rather intimidating to those of the canine crowd. We also know that Nimitz learned about frisbee from watching Alfred's golden retriever. So... here's my question:

How long before one of those very socially oriented treecats decides that he/she wants a few lovable companions to raise as pets? and...

...what is a good pet/breed for a treecat?

Lack of Communication... the bane of any pet owner. The SWMBO and I have several cats. If they could all have collars that were in the Disney movie where a cat came from outer space and was able to communicate with humans that would be sweet. But alas no such option.

Not sure a treecat would want a pet if they are unable to communicate; the treecat would be just as frustrated as a human would be. MHO

SharkHunter wrote:We know that there are regular cats (a la Dicey), and adopted treecats (not pets). We also know that even on pre-Diaspora Old Earth, cats with claws are known to be rather intimidating to those of the canine crowd. We also know that Nimitz learned about frisbee from watching Alfred's golden retriever. So... here's my question:

How long before one of those very socially oriented treecats decides that he/she wants a few lovable companions to raise as pets? and...

...what is a good pet/breed for a treecat?

I'm surprised at you Sharky. Because the best pets for any treecat would be a very large fish aquarium. As a treecat's salt-water fish die, he doesn't have to flush them. Just eat them!

Fish-N-Pets. Sorta like Fish-N-Chips.

Senior Chief wrote:

SharkHunter wrote:We know that there are regular cats (a la Dicey), and adopted treecats (not pets). We also know that even on pre-Diaspora Old Earth, cats with claws are known to be rather intimidating to those of the canine crowd. We also know that Nimitz learned about frisbee from watching Alfred's golden retriever. So... here's my question:

How long before one of those very socially oriented treecats decides that he/she wants a few lovable companions to raise as pets? and...

...what is a good pet/breed for a treecat?

Lack of Communication... the bane of any pet owner. The SWMBO and I have several cats. If they could all have collars that were in the Disney movie where a cat came from outer space and was able to communicate with humans that would be sweet. But alas no such option.

Not sure a treecat would want a pet if they are unable to communicate; the treecat would be just as frustrated as a human would be. MHO

I dunno 'bout that. Having an anytime frisbee companion would have to be more fun than waiting for the two-legs to get home from work/current mission crisis/ *cough* extra-curricular bedroom activities.

Plus the 'cat can just catch the doggie treats live and share them as leftovers.

Way back in 2011 it was, tongue in cheek, suggested that treecats start a human breeding [spelling corrected ] program:

http://forums.davidweber.net/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2360&hilit=Treecat+Breeding+Program#p46271

The idea treecats adopt humans and selectively breed for humans with mind-voice. Thus the ultimate treecat pet humans

Mange, <Gives a whole new meaning to my two-leg.>

Poker

corrected spelling

pokermind wrote:Way back in 2011 it was, tongue in cheek, suggested that treecats start a human breading program:

What kind of breading and would it be deep frying or baking? I think the Landing City Police would take a dim view on that.

Senior Chief wrote:Lack of Communication... the bane of any pet owner. The SWMBO and I have several cats. If they could all have collars that were in the Disney movie where a cat came from outer space and was able to communicate with humans that would be sweet. But alas no such option.

Not sure a treecat would want a pet if they are unable to communicate; the treecat would be just as frustrated as a human would be. MHO

Unlike us, treecats are empathic, so they'd suffer fewer communication woes than we do.

Unfortunately, they're a lot smaller, so physically controlling/intimidating the pet is a lot more challenge. You don't see many 105 pound people with 90 pound dogs, for instance, and dogs are naturally prepared by now to respond to two-legs speaking and acting with authority as if they have it.

It would help if the pet were raised from a very young age with treecats around as the source of food, and as being larger and more powerful then at least. If the treecats get to use two-leg devices (e.g., hand-portable tractor beams) to make the point more firmly (and being an empath, will know just when the point does need making, how, and how firmly), even better.

JeffEngel wrote:Unfortunately, they're a lot smaller, so physically controlling/intimidating the pet is a lot more challenge. You don't see many 105 pound people with 90 pound dogs, for instance, and dogs are naturally prepared by now to respond to two-legs speaking and acting with authority as if they have it.

That brings to mind an image from a number of years ago. Our neighbors had a Neapolitan Mastiff - a very nice dog, but - speaking charitably - I would have to say that he was not well-trained. He probably weighed around 120 pounds or so. She - the neighbor - probably weighed around 98 pounds soaking wet. Watching her take the dog for a walk when the dog saw something he wanted to investigate was, um, quite amusing. To say the least.

JeffEngel wrote:-snip-

Unfortunately, they're a lot smaller, so physically controlling/intimidating the pet is a lot more challenge. You don't see many 105 pound people with 90 pound dogs, for instance, and dogs are naturally prepared by now to respond to two-legs speaking and acting with authority as if they have it.

-snip-

With the Treecat claws and attitude, I don't see a problem intimidating a pet.

Now I agree the treecat would probably need to raise the pet from infancy. Humans domesticated the traditional pets (dogs/cats) over the millennia, so without raising the pet, I see problems of the pet seeing the treecat as a rival animal instead of a master.

AJKohler wrote:

JeffEngel wrote:Unfortunately, they're a lot smaller, so physically controlling/intimidating the pet is a lot more challenge. You don't see many 105 pound people with 90 pound dogs, for instance, and dogs are naturally prepared by now to respond to two-legs speaking and acting with authority as if they have it.

That brings to mind an image from a number of years ago. Our neighbors had a Neapolitan Mastiff - a very nice dog, but - speaking charitably - I would have to say that he was not well-trained. He probably weighed around 120 pounds or so. She - the neighbor - probably weighed around 98 pounds soaking wet. Watching her take the dog for a walk when the dog saw something he wanted to investigate was, um, quite amusing. To say the least.

Oh, I think the treecat would have Sir Mastiff under control, given six sets of claws:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7znI_Kpzbs