Dittos, on the generational thing. Yes, our society has become more enlightened concerning household pets, their intelligence, abilities, and their needs. Remembering back in the late 50s' there was a saying going around (and I think it was even heard over the commerical radio): "be kind to dumb animals". This saying fairly well represented the attitudes and education of the general public 40+ years ago. Then, most cat owners had the pet for utilitarian purposes. I don't know of many who considered their cat as being part of the family. The way they are treated will determine their acceptability, both from the person and the cat. None of my family (except my dad) liked pets, especially my mother. She had no business around a pet of any type. Of course now, anyone who thinks most household pets are "dumb" (meaning "ignorant", and unable to care for themselves -not an inability to communicate verbally) especially cats, in my opinion, shows less human intelligence than their pet's animal intelligence!

...............wayne

[ January 10, 2002: Message edited by: wayne0214 ]

[ January 10, 2002: Message edited by: wayne0214 ]