How Green Becomes Wood

"Eh," Cooger shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck, and just like when Xander had to agree with Alec's point about statistics said, "Nah, cats are domesticated. Maybe not as domesticated as a dog, but domestication is a, you know, internal thing. Involves genetic changes or whatever. And," he scratched his cheek, "Cats went and got domesticated because they realized they get food and protection if they live near humans. But you gotta remember, humans have had dogs for way longer."

"I would like your source on cats getting along with each other that easily," Dark chuckled, "because I have seen many cats screaming from atop Cooger's fridge at the mere sight of a different cat."
 
"Loads of vets and animal sociologists say cats want to be with other cats, adoption agencies urge you to get two kittens and not just one, and feral cat colonies are a big part of their lifestyle with mother cats helping each other with litters," Alec said, ticking the points off on his fingers.
 
"But those are not stranger cats," Dark replied, "Those are cats who grew up with each other. It is extremely common for two cats who unexpectedly meet to despise each other, and, yes, two dogs who meet may also begin to fight, but dogs also very often are excited to see each other. So I would like to know where your opinion that stranger cats get along better than stranger dogs come from."
 
"The fact that three cats who don't know each other and have never met can gang up on a common threat like a rattlesnake," Alec said promptly. "Dogs would be too busy posturing to each other. And feral cat colonies take in new cats pretty often. It might take time for them to warm up to each other, but they do."

Xander glanced at Dark. "But we agree that, in general, dogs get along better together than cats do, right?"
 
"I do not believe that is true, and I do not believe you have the sources to back up your opinion." Dark replied with a frown and then looked over at Xander, "I would say, generally, yes, it is easier to introduce two dogs and have them go along. It is easier to keep multiple cats once they do get along, because they take up less space and generally keep to themselves, but that dogs living in the same house generally get along."
 
"I have sources! But not memorized. I didn't think I'd be entering a debate where I'd have to cite sources other than people who work for PetSmart and PetCo," Alec huffed, annoyed.

"Cool," Xander said. "Cause they're pack animals and like being around others of their own kind, unlike cats that mostly seem to tolerate it."
 
"Yes, exactly," Dark replied with a pleased nod, "Cats can form colonies, and do with relative frequency, but those groups function differently than a dog pack does. Dogs are pack animals, just like wolves, they need and thrive in groups. They need social cohesion, and that is why they work so well with humans."
 
Daizi couldn't help herself and just broke out laughing.

"Well, no---" Dark replied, turning around while trying to reorder his entire awareness of the conversation, "Our house has enough things which move around on all fours, we do not have space for more dogs, and Enkidu is already under a great deal of stress!"
 
Xander looked at Enkidu. "Are you under stress? I thought you were living the life considering how much weight you've put on."

"Not to mention, one of those things moving on all fours is not going to stay on all fours for long," Alec giggled.

"And dogs like being around other dogs, like you just said," Xander nodded. "Meaning Enkidu would likely enjoy having a fellow dog to talk shi- dirty about humans with."
 
"First of all, Enkidu is still at a perfectly healthy weight, I keep a close eye on it because German Shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia," Dark replied, holding up one finger, "Second of all, he is barely adjusted to Ivy. Third of all, he is perfectly content as he is, and you two," He pointed his finger between them, "Are at school, work, or an extracurricular most days, and I do not have the time to train a second dog."
 
"I think Enkidu might like another dog, eventually, but you're right that it's not fair to make you train the dog," Alec agreed. "The person who wants the dog most should train them."

"I have time to train one," Xander said optimistically, having no clue what actually went into training a dog.
 
"It took six months to fully train Enkidu," Dark replied flatly, "At least six months. And we trained him from puppyhood. If you adopt an adult dog, then you have to contend with training out bad behaviors they may have learned from their previous owner, like what Cooger was saying about the racist dog at the shelter. And there are the vet bills, food costs, grooming, pet insurance, toys, flea and tick medicine, heartworm medication..." He counted off on his fingers, "I love dogs, but now is not the time to bring a second one into this house."
 
Xander hesitated. The timeline was daunting. Six months. But surely that wasn't all in one lump, right? That had to be here and there. If he was dedicated to working every day, he could maybe do it, right? Right! He was sure he could do it. "I have a job. I can pay for its bills," he countered. "My dog, my bills. And I'd spend time training it. It could be an outside dog, even."

"In the winter?" Alec asked doubtfully. "And with Judo and horses?"
 
"An outside dog?" Daizi asked, a bit of horror coming into her face at what that might mean for her garden. Obviously, at times they let Enkidu outside unsupervised because it was gated in, but keeping a dog out there 24/7? And Alec was right, "The winter would freeze them to death."

"You are almost seventeen, Xander," Dark said with a heavy sigh, "As I always say, you are welcome to stay here for as long as you like, but I know you have expressed interest in moving out, before. Have you looked into how common pet-friendly apartments are in our area? Dogs live a long time, it is plausible to suggest at some point you would desire to move out, and I presume you would want to take the dog with you, and that alone is a hurdle."
 
"You are right," Dark replied, "We have plenty of lives in this house as is."

"I wouldn't mind a cat," Daizi said with a shrug, "So long as it's a peaceful one, not a destructive one, but I agree we shouldn't rush out to bring in as many souls as possible. I made the difficult decision to stop keeping a mischief for a reason."
 
"I know," Daizi replied, although, admittedly, she did expect she and Dark would end up taking a bit of responsibility for any pet came into the house, because Dark was right, the twins did keep a fairly busy schedule.

"Now is just not the right time." Dark said with a note of finality in his voice. Meanwhile, Cooger sat dead silent, knowing the seriousness in Dark's voice meant this was not the time for him to speak up. It was interesting to hear Dark's parent voice.
 
Xander glanced at Alec. "I guess that means we gotta save up and find a pet-friendly appartment if we want to have pets," he said.

"Ugh, I suppose so. For now, maybe you can teach Enkidu new tricks, and I'll go visit Uncle Cooger more," Alec said sadly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top