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Bill scott
SFN Addict
USA
2103 Posts |
 Posted - 01/20/2011 : 12:14:59 [Permalink]
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| Originally posted by Dude |
| Bill, I have some bad (and good) news for you. (good first) The number of pathogens that cats carry that also are active in humans is very small. You could, potentially, be exposed to some parasites that use cats as part of their life cycle, but those are rare and limited to cats who go outdoors. You have a higher chance of contacting those parasites by walking barefoot in your yard. Cats are, generally speaking, clean animals. Especially indoor cats. Sure, the poop stinks, but it isn't causing you any harm. |
The poop stink is enough harm for me. I can't think of anything on the planet that smells worse than fresh cat ship. And then finding little pieces of kitty litter around the house tracked in from the litter box was the deal breaker for cats living in my house. But to each his own.
Now the bad- I assume you keep your toothbrush in your bathroom? Do you keep it sealed in a container or do you leave it out (or even inside your medicine cabinet)? Unless you seal your toothbrush between uses then you are placing human fecal and urinary tract material (from anyone who uses your bathroom) into your mouth every time you brush. When you flush your toilet some of the stuff in it becomes aerosolized (a small amount to be sure) and then lands on surfaces nearby. Human fecal material can cause many diseases in other humans.
You are more of a danger to yourself, by shitting in proximity to your toothbrush, than an indoor cat. |
I have kept my toothbrush up in the medicine chest for 41 years now and I have never had anything beyond a mild cold so I will continue to take my chances. Now if my toothbrush started to make my bathroom smell like cat piss then I might have to reconsider.
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"Lets get one thing clear, Bill. Science does make some assumptions." -perrodetokio-
"In the end as skeptics we must realize that there is no real knowledge, there is only what is most reasonable to believe." -Coelacanth-
The fact that humans do science is what causes errors in science. -Dave W.-
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Cuneiformist
The Imperfectionist
USA
4955 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 12:30:54 [Permalink]
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| I actually say an episode of Mythbusters on this, and their eventual conclusion was it doesn't matter where you store your toothbrush. Fecal matter, etc, is out there, and it's going to get on it. Even if it's microscopic, etc., it's going to happen. |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26020 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 12:41:48 [Permalink]
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The Mythbusters even found fecal bacteria on a toothbrush that was factory sealed in its packaging, so I suspect that they had a contamination problem between their samples and the lab, meaning all their results were questionable.
On the other hand, if you can hear splashing water when you flush (and who can't?), it means that water droplets with fecal hitchhikers are flying out of the toilet bowl and landing on every surface in the bathroom (at least). |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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Ebone4rock
SFN Regular
USA
894 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 12:41:52 [Permalink]
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What's with all the grown men here owning cats? You need a manly pet like a dog. Cats are for women.
You guys might want to check out the Labrador Retriever.
The Labrador Retriever is a best friend, hunting companion, and heat source on cold winter nights. |
Haole with heart, thats all I'll ever be. I'm not a part of the North Shore society. Stuck on the shoulder, that's where you'll find me. Digging for scraps with the kooks in line. -Offspring |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26020 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 13:16:54 [Permalink]
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Dogs are high-maintenance. It took about two whole weeks before I was the one walking and grooming and feeding the dog that my wife promised she would take care of all by herself.
I don't hunt, I have central heat, and I'm unsure of the sanity of anyone who claims a pet as a best friend.  |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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Ebone4rock
SFN Regular
USA
894 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 13:45:50 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Dave W.
Dogs are high-maintenance. It took about two whole weeks before I was the one walking and grooming and feeding the dog that my wife promised she would take care of all by herself.
I don't hunt, I have central heat, and I'm unsure of the sanity of anyone who claims a pet as a best friend.
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Yes, dogs are high maintenance but it's worth it. Of course my dog is my best friend, he's the only one that listens to me!
You'll get a kick out of this one Dave. Guess what my yellow dog's name is? His full name is Dave The Dog but we simply refer to him as Dave.
I enjoy noting regional differences in different things. It always gives me a giggle when people from the southern part of the country refer to "central heating" as if it were an option. Here in the frozen tundra we call it "heat". A Labrador Retriever is a good supplement to keep heating costs down. Gotta feed 'em anyway so might as well utilize them.
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Haole with heart, thats all I'll ever be. I'm not a part of the North Shore society. Stuck on the shoulder, that's where you'll find me. Digging for scraps with the kooks in line. -Offspring |
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Bill scott
SFN Addict
USA
2103 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 14:06:32 [Permalink]
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| Originally posted by Ebone4rock |
| What's with all the grown men here owning cats? You need a manly pet like a dog. Cats are for women. |
I was wondering myself but was not going to ask.
| You guys might want to check out the Labrador Retriever. |
| The Labrador Retriever is a best friend, hunting companion, and heat source on cold winter nights. |
While I would agree that lab's are great dogs we currently have a German Shepard/Border Collie mix that I refer to as the best dog in the whole world. I can walk this dog around the block without a leash and it will obey my every command, even in the presence of another dog.
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"Lets get one thing clear, Bill. Science does make some assumptions." -perrodetokio-
"In the end as skeptics we must realize that there is no real knowledge, there is only what is most reasonable to believe." -Coelacanth-
The fact that humans do science is what causes errors in science. -Dave W.-
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Bill scott
SFN Addict
USA
2103 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 14:12:00 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Dave W.
The Mythbusters even found fecal bacteria on a toothbrush that was factory sealed in its packaging, so I suspect that they had a contamination problem between their samples and the lab, meaning all their results were questionable.
On the other hand, if you can hear splashing water when you flush (and who can't?), it means that water droplets with fecal hitchhikers are flying out of the toilet bowl and landing on every surface in the bathroom (at least).
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After 41 years and nothing more than a common cold I'll probably just roll the dice and keep the toothbrush in the medicine chest for now. |
"Lets get one thing clear, Bill. Science does make some assumptions." -perrodetokio-
"In the end as skeptics we must realize that there is no real knowledge, there is only what is most reasonable to believe." -Coelacanth-
The fact that humans do science is what causes errors in science. -Dave W.-
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9687 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 14:28:22 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Bill scott
I can walk this dog around the block without a leash and it will obey my every command, even in the presence of another dog. |
Until you meet a bitch in heat. Then all bets are off. Even more so for dogs than between humans. 
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Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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Dude
SFN Die Hard
USA
6891 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 17:13:21 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Ebone4rock
What's with all the grown men here owning cats? You need a manly pet like a dog. Cats are for women.
You guys might want to check out the Labrador Retriever.
The Labrador Retriever is a best friend, hunting companion, and heat source on cold winter nights.
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I live in FL in a condo. If I lived in a less urban setting I'd have a dog too.
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Ignorance is preferable to error; and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong.
-- Thomas Jefferson
"god :: the last refuge of a man with no answers and no argument." - G. Carlin
Hope, n.
The handmaiden of desperation; the opiate of despair; the illegible signpost on the road to perdition. ~~ da filth |
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13476 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 18:41:03 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Dude
Originally posted by Ebone4rock
What's with all the grown men here owning cats? You need a manly pet like a dog. Cats are for women.
You guys might want to check out the Labrador Retriever.
The Labrador Retriever is a best friend, hunting companion, and heat source on cold winter nights.
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I live in FL in a condo. If I lived in a less urban setting I'd have a dog too.
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Not me. Cat's shit in a box!!! No need to walk them. (I can't understand how it bothers Bill to have a cat box, but it doesn't bother him to pick up fresh dog shit that hasn't been dried by litter.) Plus, they are low maintenance in other ways. And they are cooler than dogs. No stupid pet tricks for a cat.
"If animals could speak the dog would be a a blundering outspoken fellow, but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much." - Mark Twain |
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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Dude
SFN Die Hard
USA
6891 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 05:09:29 [Permalink]
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Dog- Humans feed me, shelter me, love me.... they must be deities!
Cat- Humans feed me, shelter me, love me.... I must be a deity!
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Ignorance is preferable to error; and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong.
-- Thomas Jefferson
"god :: the last refuge of a man with no answers and no argument." - G. Carlin
Hope, n.
The handmaiden of desperation; the opiate of despair; the illegible signpost on the road to perdition. ~~ da filth |
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Ebone4rock
SFN Regular
USA
894 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 06:22:33 [Permalink]
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A dog, in the event of an emergency, will be helpful and many times display heroism. Cats are too selfish for that.
Check out the story about Shana the hero dog.
(sorry about the god blubbering link but it was the only one the filters here at work would let me access)
Dogs Rule! |
Haole with heart, thats all I'll ever be. I'm not a part of the North Shore society. Stuck on the shoulder, that's where you'll find me. Digging for scraps with the kooks in line. -Offspring |
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Bill scott
SFN Addict
USA
2103 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 06:34:20 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Dr. Mabuse
Originally posted by Bill scott
I can walk this dog around the block without a leash and it will obey my every command, even in the presence of another dog. |
Until you meet a bitch in heat. Then all bets are off. Even more so for dogs than between humans.
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A male dog for sure. Our dog is a spayed female. |
"Lets get one thing clear, Bill. Science does make some assumptions." -perrodetokio-
"In the end as skeptics we must realize that there is no real knowledge, there is only what is most reasonable to believe." -Coelacanth-
The fact that humans do science is what causes errors in science. -Dave W.-
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Ebone4rock
SFN Regular
USA
894 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 06:37:36 [Permalink]
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Another one of my favorite stories.
2004
Golly, Lily & Double
On November 8, 2003 Tammy Ogle of Marshfield was traveling on Highway M through the Chequamegon National Forest in Taylor County. Riding along in the back of her SUV were her Labrador Retrievers, Double and Golly, both three-years old, and Lily, one-and-a-half. Tammy lost control of her vehicle as she was approaching a narrow bridge. Her SUV struck the bridge, flipped and rolled multiple times, ejecting Tammy through the passenger window.
Double, Golly, and Lily managed to escape from the wreckage. Tammy lay unconscious with several injuries, including 10 broken ribs, three facial fractures, and severe head injuries. Double stayed by her side as Golly and Lily ran a half-mile down the road to the nearest house. A man came to the door after hearing Golly and Lily's scratching and barking. Golly tugged his sleeve to get him to follow out to the road. The man saw Tammy's overturned SUV in the distance and quickly called 911. An ambulance arrived and transported Tammy to the nearest hospital.
Tammy's condition was so severe that the doctors immediately had her sent by helicopter to a larger hospital that had a trauma unit with brain injury specialists. Tammy would not have survived without her dogs' loyalty, persistence, and sense of urgency.
Owner/caretaker: Tammy Ogle
Nominating veterinarian: Dr. Roger Krogstad, Wildwood Animal Hospital, Marshfield
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Lets see some stinky old cat do that! |
Haole with heart, thats all I'll ever be. I'm not a part of the North Shore society. Stuck on the shoulder, that's where you'll find me. Digging for scraps with the kooks in line. -Offspring |
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Am I nuts?
