Why is it the noble dog- the same animal who greets you the same way whether you are returning from a month-long holiday or a trip out to the garbage bin- gets all this credit for saving lives and property, yet the cat doesn't? Our dog is a love, but dumb as a box of rocks. She eats cat litter, can't tell the difference between the real doorbell and one ringing on a tv show, and barks at everything equally ferociously, be it someone walking past the house, the UPS guy or relatives that she's known since puppyhood. The cats kill spiders and mice, so at least they're somewhat useful. They also eat a hell of a lot less.
That said, I still think the cat in the story above was just pissed that a kid was on his turf.
