Here's a little anecdote concerning a dog, who happened to be very jealous of the cat!

See, my parents used to have this huge 16 pound black cat, named Sparky (Rainbow Bridge). He was a lethargic feline, but would come to life if another strange cat entered the yard. Anyway, when I visited home, I'd give him the usual sort of attention I give all kitties. (Hey, I grew up with 'em!) Being a cat, he could take it or leave it. "Oh, you want to comb my fur with your fingers? Oh well, if I have to put up with it." Of course, he'd love to lounge directly in the middle of the top step of the stairs, so he was sure not to be missed! (Everyone knew to watch that step.)

Anyway, my mom also has this toy poodle named 'Muffin'. Toy poodles are notorious for a number of things, one of which is that they are constantly starved for attention. If Muffin sees a free hand in reach, she paws it. "Hey! You've got a free hand, and you're not using it to rub my belly!" The dog could never get enough of it's fur rubbed. My mom would tell me that I would wear out before the dog did. She was right.

Well, one time I was giving Sparky, the cat, his attention that he put up with in the way cat's do. Muffin the dog saw this and got jealous. She couldn't stand seeing a CAT get more attention than her! So she came up and wiggled herself between us, hoping that I would easily switch over to her.

Then the dog got the bright idea that she would mimic the cat. Maybe I wouldn't notice. So she started to PURR just like the cat. Well, maybe it was 'just like the cat' to her, but it came out as a modified growl. I looked down at this dog trying to purr. Oh well, might as well rub her belly.

Sparky got disgusted with the whole display, and promptly left. He wouldn't be associated with such an imposter, and for attention, no less!. Of course, Muffin thought that was great, so that she could get all the attention.

To this day, when I go to pet the dog, she pretends to purr by doing this soft growl. I just chuckle at it.

Copyright © Brian Armstrong
December 20, 1999