"Lest We Forget"

"On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" Canada stops to observe a moment of silence for those brave men and women who have fought and died for our freedom. We also honour our living veterans and the men and women who continue to serve in our armed forces. 

RCMP service dog Cujo poses with a statue
 at the Animals In War Memorial in Ottawa

We can't let the day go by without also remembering the animals who bravely served alongside our soldiers and who also lost their lives in doing so. Hundreds of thousands of animals have served in war including horses, dogs, cats, carrier pigeons, donkeys, camels, elephants even glow worms! Last November Veterans Affairs Canada unveiled the memorial "Animals In War". It includes plaques and statues complete with hoof and paw prints memorialised in the cement paths.

Things Dogs and Cats Both Do

Both do this sort of bowing stretch. When you see dogs do this, they are being playful. It is an invitation to play with them. When cats do this, it is also a friendly gesture. They are relaxed and welcoming. 

Photo Source

Photo Source

Is That Cat Bothering You?

Does it seem as though, in a room full of people, a cat will make a B-line for that person who doesn't want to interact with it? It's not what you might think.

In the animal world, eye contact is considered to be a form of aggression and therefore threatening. In a group of people, those who don't want to interact with a cat will ignore it and will not make eye contact. Some cats will go to that person because it considers them to be non-threatening.

It is a kitty compliment.

Photo copyright 2009 Fox Broadcasting