As readers of this blog will know, when it comes to reliable news sources, I’ve found that (amongst others!) neither the CBC nor AP has a record that warrants such commendation. But every once in a while, they do produce a story deserving of mention and merit!
For example, a few days ago, CBC reported on just such a story, produced by AP:
Fearless L.A. cat wins SPCA’s ‘Hero Dog’ award
Tara chases off dog that attacked her six-year-old owner
For the first time, a Los Angeles shelter’s Hero Dog award has gone to a cat.
In May 2014, Tara the cat fought off a dog that attacked her six-year-old owner as he rode his bicycle in the driveway of the family’s Bakersfield home.
[…]
Now, don’t get me wrong; as a child I had shared my bed with Major, our family’s Boxer. And some years later – after I’d left home to seek my fame and fortune in Montreal – I recall my family greeting me at the train station (in Toronto) and introducing me to Gus, a full-grown Saint Bernard, with a fondness for Dairy Queen ice creams – as I discovered when he led me for walks around the Hamilton, Ontario neighbourhood in which my family then resided.
The recognition accorded me on such strolls (“Oh, you must be an Ostrov girl,” said complete strangers, as they stopped to give Gus a pat on the head) was certainly not to be sneezed at. Nor are the many fond acquaintances I met (and/or made) in the course of my (now long ago ended) marriage when I strolled various neighbourhoods in the company of Captain, yet another Boxer.
But at heart – if not genetically predisposed (as my UK cousins on my late mother’s side could confirm) – I think I’ve always been a “cat person”. And not without very good reasons; as I had recounted many, many moons ago – thanks to the “assistance” of that particular now long ago departed cat.
And, to be quite honest, I’m inclined to suspect that Amber – the cat who is currently kind enough to share her living quarters with me – would have long ago voiced her strenuous objections (as she does when any canine dares to approach her field of vision!)
In light of the foregoing, dear readers, I trust that you will completely understand my conclusion that the cat is – in fact – top dog;-)
P.S. Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there in cyberland. Sadly, my first without a Dad on whom to bestow such wishes.
The View From Here 
Dear Hilary,
Thank you for sharing that wonderful example of when cats are, indeed, good pets. I love dogs (as you can tell by how I wrote that first sentence, heh). I’m not surprised that someone as great-hearted as you are can love both cats and dogs. I will never think of you as a “cat person.” They are fussy, self-centered, judgmental, and expect to have their way most of the time. That is not you!
I’m so sorry to hear that you are walking on, down the road, without your dad, now. Yesterday (and every Father’s Day, most likely) must have been a time to just sit down and remember … and mourn… and be grateful. He sure left the world a fine legacy: you.
Take care and KEEP ON WRITING! :)
Janice in “The States”
Hi Janice, thanks again for your “assessment” and for your encouragement and vote of confidence! I’ll do my best :-)
P.S. Sorry for the delay in acknowledging this. I’ve been somewhat pre-occupied moving from my now intolerably slow Win 7. machine to this spiffy (but somewhat suspect LOL) fastest ever (and least expensive ever!) Win 8.1 machine.
Just a very belated greeting from a fellow cat-person and also someone who lost his father 9 years ago but still misses him a lot… On another note, how are you finding Windows 8.1? Different, isn’t it! :)
Hi Alex, and thanks! As for Windows 8.1?! Definitely different … But as for “different good” or “different bad” … I’m still somewhat undecided. Although, I can tell you I’m far from thrilled that there are a number of apps that I have to repurchase as, evidently, they are not designed to work with 8.1.
Disabling the “touch screen” has made my life somewhat easier — Amber can no longer change the appearance of anything and everything with a flick of her tail or nudge of her head as she walks by and/or seats herself in front thereof! Also on the brighter side, I now have a version of ActiveWords™ that is fully functional again … thereby saving me many keystrokes for so many frequently used apps, words, symbols and/or actions!