IN TOUCH WITH THE TROLL INSIDE

There are times when I envy dogs. Social creatures need to be touched, and dogs have it made. They positively invite stroking, scritching, and petting. In fact, the sensation of being touched is an essential part of their interaction, with each other and with humans.
Cats veer toward Aspergers syndrome.
Touch them at your peril.

I swing both ways; both a dog person and a cat person.

But if I had to be an animal, I would prefer to be a canine. Life without touch, without someone touching one, would be almost unbearable.
No wonder felines are insane little furballs.


FUR, HAIR, AND SKIN

Animals are far more accepting of communication by physical contact than humans, and a lot less likely to kick up a fuss or start screaming.
One cannot just reach out and pet another person.

Conversationally animals are far less adept.

I'm not so sure that that is any great defect, however. Judging by what comes out of their mouths, most humans are far too impressed with themselves, and would prefer all discussions to revolve around them. Events involving alcoholic beverages prove that beyond any doubt; the participants insist on mentioning encyclopedic details of their various experiences which highlight what wonderful people they are, how fascinating, and how intensely alive.

A dog will never do that. It will wag its tail instead.

And a cat will simply scratch you.

Go ahead. Pet them.


The two beasts mentioned above both prove their point with admirable brevity; demanding attention without boring the listener to tears, and establishing their unique individuality with an economy of action.
They are there. Now deal with them.
It will prove rewarding.


We have no tails to wag.
We cannot scratch.


Perhaps I need to break some windows and start a few fires. Overturn garbage cans and howl at the moon. Run around the forest foaming at the mouth. Chase rabbits, and savage the cattle.
Either that, or hibernate like a bear.


Leave some milk outside; it will keep me from destroying your yard.


Maybe.



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