Offside Chat Archives (2014-2021)

Matthew Anderson4 said:not even sure what to say to that. you basically just ignored my whole post 😂

living in San Diego here. where do you even live, man? all you see are old cats? 😂
more people get hit by cars daily than cats, period.
and saying a cat dies from being poisoned is somehow against "cat logic"? if you ate a Big Mac and died because someone slipped poison in it, would that make you stupid? 😂
starving isn't just a thing for certain animals either. what, stray dogs don't die of hunger? do strays not starve, just cats? 🙏

What did I miss?

Asian culture when it comes to dogs and cats? Seriously, are we really going to use that as our benchmark?

That’s an apples-to-oranges comparison. Bringing people into this is just a desperate attempt to bait me.
Dogs don't die off nearly as much because they aren't exposed to the same risks. It all comes down to intelligence.
Period. ☕

Ashley Bailey6 said:What did I miss?

Asian culture when it comes to dogs and cats? Seriously, are we really going to use that as our benchmark?

That’s an apples-to-oranges comparison. Bringing people into this is just a desperate attempt to bait me.
Dogs don't die off nearly as much because they aren't exposed to the same risks. It all comes down to intelligence.
Period. ☕

You’re basing your take on an entire species living all over the globe just on what you see in your own backyard. 😂🙏 Man, you're using American culture regarding dogs and cats as the baseline for every pet on Earth and then calling me desperate or unserious. 😂

But fine, since you want to keep this going late into the night...

According to the WHO, there are over 200 million stray dogs worldwide. Stray cats? Over 100 million. In Mexico City, you've got 3 million strays. That's pretty close to our vibe here, and it happens everywhere. Get this: 'In 2007, before a NATO meeting in Mexico City, 40,000 dogs were poisoned.'
Here's another one: 'Cats are the world's most popular pets, outnumbering dogs by as many as three to one.'

So yeah, your theory that dogs are less exposed than cats is totally busted. And if we follow your logic, it makes cats look smarter, since we just proved they aren't as exposed as dogs.
. ☕

Sure, let's just cherry-pick numbers to fit our own narrative.
You aren't slapping anyone around, but go ahead and cite your source first. Let's see if they're even relevant. Besides, statistics don't prove intelligence.

Fair enough. I’m using Western culture as my baseline for comparing dog and cat intelligence simply because it's what I know best.
The sample size is massive.

I have no idea where you're getting your data, but even in an organized country like the US, they maintain detailed and accurate records.

There is no way there are more stray dogs than cats. It’s just the nature of the animals. And even if there were, does that mean dogs are better at surviving on their own?

Here is the first thing I came across:

https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/St...ownership.aspx

Even this logically disproves that 1:3 ratio.

p.s. Those people aren't part of our cultural sphere.☕

I mean, doesn't all this human cruelty just prove exactly what we’re talking about here? ☕

Everyone knows cats are basically the kings of the pet world, easily outnumbering dogs by as much as three to one.

Yeah, but honestly, if you just factored out those absolute lunatics who hoard fifty cats in a single house until the whole place reeks of ammonia, the actual number of domestic pets would probably drop by like five times. ☕

I actually caught myself watching a local fire crew out in the field trying to rescue some cat stuck up in a tree.
Since the tree was just way too tall and they spent hours grinding away at it, the whole thing ended up being a total bust, unfortunately.
After they finally cleared out of the area—where they were basically risking broken bones, or if I’m being dramatic, even their lives—those brave firefighters had to deal with this massive wall of noise from a crowd of angry women, while the guys standing around were giving them nothing but support and sympathy.
If you ask me, the cost of this little operation was probably around 3 $0.00, which is honestly enough to cover about 600 decent meals for kids in a school lunch program.
One of those ladies in the crowd even shouted that she'd just wait until the cat kicked the bucket and the wind blew the carcass off the branch so she could have a decent funeral.
Okay, I totally made that last part up, but everything else I told you is the straight truth.

Ashley Bailey6 said:Sure, let's just cherry-pick numbers to fit our own narrative.
You aren't slapping anyone around, but go ahead and cite your source first. Let's see if they're even relevant. Besides, statistics don't prove intelligence.

Fair enough. I’m using Western culture as my baseline for comparing dog and cat intelligence simply because it's what I know best.
The sample size is massive.

I have no idea where you're getting your data, but even in an organized country like the US, they maintain detailed and accurate records.

There is no way there are more stray dogs than cats. It’s just the nature of the animals. And even if there were, does that mean dogs are better at surviving on their own?

Here is the first thing I came across:

https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/St...ownership.aspx

Even this logically disproves that 1:3 ratio.

p.s. Those people aren't part of our cultural sphere.☕

So, if dogs being less exposed means they're smarter (literally quoting here), but cats being less exposed says nothing about intelligence? Pick a side already.

Ashley Bailey6 said:Sure, let's just cherry-pick numbers to fit our own narrative.
You aren't slapping anyone around, but go ahead and cite your source first. Let's see if they're even relevant. Besides, statistics don't prove intelligence.

Fair enough. I’m using Western culture as my baseline for comparing dog and cat intelligence simply because it's what I know best.
The sample size is massive.

I have no idea where you're getting your data, but even in an organized country like the US, they maintain detailed and accurate records.

There is no way there are more stray dogs than cats. It’s just the nature of the animals. And even if there were, does that mean dogs are better at surviving on their own?

Here is the first thing I came across:

https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/St...ownership.aspx

Even this logically disproves that 1:3 ratio.

p.s. Those people aren't part of our cultural sphere.☕

You aren't even comparing dogs to cats, really. It's about how people actually treat them, and you're totally missing that part.

Ashley Bailey6 said:Sure, let's just cherry-pick numbers to fit our own narrative.
You aren't slapping anyone around, but go ahead and cite your source first. Let's see if they're even relevant. Besides, statistics don't prove intelligence.

Fair enough. I’m using Western culture as my baseline for comparing dog and cat intelligence simply because it's what I know best.
The sample size is massive.

I have no idea where you're getting your data, but even in an organized country like the US, they maintain detailed and accurate records.

There is no way there are more stray dogs than cats. It’s just the nature of the animals. And even if there were, does that mean dogs are better at surviving on their own?

Here is the first thing I came across:

https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/St...ownership.aspx

Even this logically disproves that 1:3 ratio.

p.s. Those people aren't part of our cultural sphere.☕

Lol, just Google it. I couldn't find a single official census for pet owners either—it’s all just "estimates," though they usually lean toward cats. Didn't see anything on stray dogs, but the numbers for stray cats are definitely up.Alright. That's the situation, at least in the area this article covers.

Ashley Bailey6 said:Sure, let's just cherry-pick numbers to fit our own narrative.
You aren't slapping anyone around, but go ahead and cite your source first. Let's see if they're even relevant. Besides, statistics don't prove intelligence.

Fair enough. I’m using Western culture as my baseline for comparing dog and cat intelligence simply because it's what I know best.
The sample size is massive.

I have no idea where you're getting your data, but even in an organized country like the US, they maintain detailed and accurate records.

There is no way there are more stray dogs than cats. It’s just the nature of the animals. And even if there were, does that mean dogs are better at surviving on their own?

Here is the first thing I came across:

https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/St...ownership.aspx

Even this logically disproves that 1:3 ratio.

p.s. Those people aren't part of our cultural sphere.☕

How does that even make sense? You're talking about Americans when the 3:1 ratio applies to the whole damn world.

Ashley Bailey6 said:Yeah. Useful to an intellectually superior society.
That’s why we have domestic dogs and cats—they exist for us.

And you still don't get why you're dismissing the sense of smell.

Same goes for living with a dog, except somehow people actually know how to handle them.
If training a dog requires authority, then raising a child is just as much about discipline.

Dogs can actually bond emotionally with their owners. Cats just act out of pure self-interest.
Choosing who I want by my side isn't a hard decision.

I love all animals, both dogs and cats, and I used to have a dog myself. But I think you're making one mistake that a lot of people make, assuming dogs are more loyal and emotional. When it comes to intelligence, I think they're pretty much on par, it's just that dogs are way easier to train.

The loyalty and the ease of training come from a simple fact: cats aren't pack animals like dogs are. Because of that, they struggle with hierarchy and tend to be more independent. Dogs are social creatures for that exact reason, which leads to warmer interactions with both humans and other dogs.

But that doesn't mean cats don't have feelings either; I've seen plenty of cat owners who are incredibly attached to them. It’s just a different kind of bond—one that doesn't happen constantly or just because you want it to, but only when both sides feel like it🙂). I think there's a certain beauty in that, having someone show affection selectively rather than just blindly. Much like people...🙂

Dogs run this forum. Some even hold moderator status.

Ashley Bailey6 said:Yeah. Useful to an intellectually superior society.
That’s why we have domestic dogs and cats—they exist for us.

And you still don't get why you're dismissing the sense of smell.

Same goes for living with a dog, except somehow people actually know how to handle them.
If training a dog requires authority, then raising a child is just as much about discipline.

Dogs can actually bond emotionally with their owners. Cats just act out of pure self-interest.
Choosing who I want by my side isn't a hard decision.

That sounds like something someone could only say if they’ve never actually lived with a cat. 🙄 I have two absolute gems of cats that I rescued from the streets, and believe me, they are perfectly capable of forming emotional connections. In fact, they’re so reliable you could practically set your watch by them—meowing at the door at 6 AM, 3 PM, and 8 PM sharp.

Swiftscout9 just isn't the same dog he used to be; he quietly swallows his tears and has completely lost his appetite. All he wants to do now is bark.

Keith Miller30 said:That sounds like something someone could only say if they’ve never actually lived with a cat. 🙄 I have two absolute gems of cats that I rescued from the streets, and believe me, they are perfectly capable of forming emotional connections. In fact, they’re so reliable you could practically set your watch by them—meowing at the door at 6 AM, 3 PM, and 8 PM sharp.

Facts. (See, we can actually agree on something 😁), I also picked up two strays when they were barely two months old, and I've raised plenty of cats and dogs before. There's zero difference in intelligence 😁 if you actually bother to train them. It all comes down to how you raise them, whether you're dealing with dogs, cats, or even a hamster.

mellowscout24 said:Facts. (See, we can actually agree on something 😁), I also picked up two strays when they were barely two months old, and I've raised plenty of cats and dogs before. There's zero difference in intelligence 😁 if you actually bother to train them. It all comes down to how you raise them, whether you're dealing with dogs, cats, or even a hamster.

Exactly—when we step away from politics, anything seems possible. ☕

I honestly struggle to understand people who are capable of abandoning those poor little souls on the street. What kind of person could possibly do something like that? I recently came across a situation in an animal welfare thread where I was helping another member sort out some issues regarding a dog she wanted to keep. The owner used to beat the dog daily, starving it and denying it even basic water... The dog eventually escaped, and she found it at a Greyhound station, brought it home, and gave it everything it needed. When the owner found out, he started causing trouble and demanding the dog back (the woman clearly didn't have anyone else to vent her frustrations on), but he has since calmed down and dropped his claims. ☕As it stands, she has kept the little guy. ☕

Keith Miller30 said:Exactly—when we step away from politics, anything seems possible. ☕

I honestly struggle to understand people who are capable of abandoning those poor little souls on the street. What kind of person could possibly do something like that? I recently came across a situation in an animal welfare thread where I was helping another member sort out some issues regarding a dog she wanted to keep. The owner used to beat the dog daily, starving it and denying it even basic water... The dog eventually escaped, and she found it at a Greyhound station, brought it home, and gave it everything it needed. When the owner found out, he started causing trouble and demanding the dog back (the woman clearly didn't have anyone else to vent her frustrations on), but he has since calmed down and dropped his claims. ☕As it stands, she has kept the little guy. ☕

I've seen it all myself; I spent years doing professional dog training, so you see every type of person out there. All you can really do is step up and handle what you can, because you shouldn't expect much from anyone else. When I find a stray that looks like it's had a rough time, I'll just take them in 😁 bring them to the vet, pay for the flea treatments and all that nonsense, and then try my best to find them a home, though that's always an uphill battle.
Until people's mindsets actually change, it’s going to stay this way; I've been out in rural areas and small towns across the Midwest and I've been shocked more than a few times seeing dogs that have literally never been off a chain, just covered in ticks and fleas... and to those people, it's just business as usual.

Matthew Anderson4 said:So, if dogs being less exposed means they're smarter (literally quoting here), but cats being less exposed says nothing about intelligence? Pick a side already.

You aren't even comparing dogs to cats, really. It's about how people actually treat them, and you're totally missing that part.

Lol, just Google it. I couldn't find a single official census for pet owners either—it’s all just "estimates," though they usually lean toward cats. Didn't see anything on stray dogs, but the numbers for stray cats are definitely up.Alright. That's the situation, at least in the area this article covers.

How does that even make sense? You're talking about Americans when the 3:1 ratio applies to the whole damn world.

Cats face more risks and die more often in developed nations where they live indoors and enjoy a safer environment. If the data actually shows a higher number of stray dogs—which I’m skeptical about—that surplus can only exist in developing countries under uncontrolled conditions. That would basically imply that dogs are better at surviving in the wild.
Now it’s clearer.

Matthew Anderson4 said:So, if dogs being less exposed means they're smarter (literally quoting here), but cats being less exposed says nothing about intelligence? Pick a side already.

You aren't even comparing dogs to cats, really. It's about how people actually treat them, and you're totally missing that part.

Lol, just Google it. I couldn't find a single official census for pet owners either—it’s all just "estimates," though they usually lean toward cats. Didn't see anything on stray dogs, but the numbers for stray cats are definitely up.Alright. That's the situation, at least in the area this article covers.

How does that even make sense? You're talking about Americans when the 3:1 ratio applies to the whole damn world.

I'm weighing one against the other.
Of course how you treat someone matters when they're the boss. They hold the power to make decisions that change everything for you.

Matthew Anderson4 said:So, if dogs being less exposed means they're smarter (literally quoting here), but cats being less exposed says nothing about intelligence? Pick a side already.

You aren't even comparing dogs to cats, really. It's about how people actually treat them, and you're totally missing that part.

Lol, just Google it. I couldn't find a single official census for pet owners either—it’s all just "estimates," though they usually lean toward cats. Didn't see anything on stray dogs, but the numbers for stray cats are definitely up.Alright. That's the situation, at least in the area this article covers.

How does that even make sense? You're talking about Americans when the 3:1 ratio applies to the whole damn world.

There’s really no point in Googling it. Global statistics are easily manipulated, and for most of the world, the data is either non-existent or just plain sloppy.
At the end of the day, we have to trust our own eyes.

Matthew Anderson4 said:So, if dogs being less exposed means they're smarter (literally quoting here), but cats being less exposed says nothing about intelligence? Pick a side already.

You aren't even comparing dogs to cats, really. It's about how people actually treat them, and you're totally missing that part.

Lol, just Google it. I couldn't find a single official census for pet owners either—it’s all just "estimates," though they usually lean toward cats. Didn't see anything on stray dogs, but the numbers for stray cats are definitely up.Alright. That's the situation, at least in the area this article covers.

How does that even make sense? You're talking about Americans when the 3:1 ratio applies to the whole damn world.

Explained above.
If the records are even remotely accurate, you'll find them in the most developed countries.

Jason Newman said:Dogs run this forum. Some even hold moderator status.

So wait, is that actually supposed to be an argument in favor of the dogs?
Just some sneaky little trickster ☕

Ashley Bailey6 said:Cats face more risks and die more often in developed nations where they live indoors and enjoy a safer environment. If the data actually shows a higher number of stray dogs—which I’m skeptical about—that surplus can only exist in developing countries under uncontrolled conditions. That would basically imply that dogs are better at surviving in the wild.
Now it’s clearer.

I'm weighing one against the other.
Of course how you treat someone matters when they're the boss. They hold the power to make decisions that change everything for you.

There’s really no point in Googling it. Global statistics are easily manipulated, and for most of the world, the data is either non-existent or just plain sloppy.
At the end of the day, we have to trust our own eyes.

Explained above.
If the records are even remotely accurate, you'll find them in the most developed countries.

Don't see the point arguing with someone who just picks their own side of the truth.
Peace out. 🙂

Finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel...

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/petrov-building-new-strategies-for-growth-/1287576/

restlesssurfer97 said:So wait, is that actually supposed to be an argument in favor of the dogs?
Just some sneaky little trickster ☕

🤣

Being a moderator is an honorable, demanding job. ☕

Matthew Anderson4 said:Don't see the point arguing with someone who just picks their own side of the truth.
Peace out. 🙂

Give me a break.

Go argue with a chatbot instead.

I can't argue with a GIF this objectively perfect, much like I can't win any of our usual debates.