| Martin 2005-11-01, 6:21 pm |
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"a425couple" <a425couple@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:oJKdnY5Zv7N3d_veRVn-qQ@comcast.com...
>
> "Peter Jason" <PJ@PJ.com.nz> wrote in message > "a425couple"
> <a425couple@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> That is impressive!
>
> Not sure if our (US) possums are larger or smaller than yours,
> but impressive nevertheless.
> Silly fact, on US highways 4 million possums a year are killed,
> also 8 million racoons.
> The cats I've had, and ones I've seen, tend to stay out of
> range of possums or racoons.
>
> Since one of the newsgroups is Medieval,
> what was status of cats in those years?
They don't seem to have been particularly revered, loved or respected, and I
suspect most were pretty feral and had to fend for themselves. Seen as 'useful'
even so. It was more the age of the dog, and dogs were definitely close
companions, and very much loved, treasured and well-treated if they were lucky
and attractive.
> And/or domestic dogs that would attack
> rats and/or mice?
Most certainly, both for working dogs who did it for a living, and those who did
it in rather barbaric 'sports' for entertainment (Rat vs. Terrier has a long,
long tradition which goes back to Saxon times, probably even Roman). With the
decline of honest, decent Gladiatorial sport involving humans, I'm afraid dogs
filled the void in providing cruel and barbaric spectacle, being used to 'bate'
foxes, badgers, bears, stags and even bulls. Even humans now and then it seems.
> Anyone speculate on the Black Death?
It was very popular now and then - and killed fleas, humans, dogs, cats and rats
alike, without prejudice and in great numbers. I suppose bird flu will now take
its place?
Cheers
Martin
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