They also work…..

This is a store cat in Fork Union, Virginia. Although he looks like a feline “Attila the Hun”, he is 20 pounds of muscular gentleness.

He greets customers by day and guards the grain warehouse against mice at night. He can usually be found on the highest stack of 50 pound bags in the warehouse

I admire animals that serve a useful function.

Unfortunately, they seem to be outnumbered by animals that behave like spoiled children. There may be a lesson here, because some owners and parents have no clue on raising sane animals or children, having never understood that you get the behavior you reward. To be fair, the average pet may experience the same kind of stress as a cubical worker, long periods of intense boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror.

Fortunately, some animals and children seem to develop excellent social skills even in the least supportive environments. I have seen many working dogs and they are a delight to be around. It is much rarer to see working cats.

There are many cats which are great company, but they go to pieces in the presence of outsiders. For example, in the past eleven years, my two cats have only been seen by the vet and a handful of trusted family members. They operate almost entirely in stealth mode except when it’s time for supper.

Fortunately, there are animals like Butterscotch, above, who set a better example.

I would like to hear of other animals which serve voluntarily at some post. There must be hundreds out there…yes?