Catmedian

The Article "Dogs May Laugh, but Only Cats Get the Joke"

I thought it was pretty amusing that the Times would publish these in the Letters to the Editors section.

From the The New York Times Sept 21st 2006 Letters to the Editors

To the Editor:

Re ''Dogs May Laugh, but Only Cats Get the Joke'' (Side Effects, Sept. 5): My cat not only has a sense of humor, but he is also an inveterate practical joker. Instead of merely placing a dead rodent on top of the bedspread or pillow as a token of love, he conceals it under the covers and watches expectantly for my inevitable cry of horror.
Worse, he will lie on his back near the stereo speakers, eyes closed, blissfully enjoying classical music. Yet the moment I remove my violin from its case to practice, he lets out a loud meow and hides under the bed, covering his face with his paws.
Les Dreyer
New York

To the Editor:

As a longtime cat raiser, I agree with your Side Effects columnist, James Gorman, that cats have a sense of humor.
While dogs tend to be submissive, cats seek dominance -- having the ''upper paw.'' Hence their ability to be deliberately annoying (as in willfully knocking an aspirin vial off the bathroom shelf) or to hide and suddenly spring in order to astound unsuspecting victims, be they beloved humans or sibling playmates. It is all in fun -- but with the laugh on others.
Albert L. Weeks
Sarasota, Fla.