Our perceptions and expectations can profoundly shape the world we live in. Often, without even realizing it, we construct our own realities by forming certain expectations. These preconceived notions can subtly influence our actions, triggering a series of events that lead us to outcomes we never anticipated.
When people bring pets into their homes, their expectations for these animals differ based on the species. For example, dog owners usually expect their pets to learn tricks and commands, while cat owners often don’t consider this to be necessary. As a result, we live in a world where it’s common for dogs to perform tricks on command, but not so much for cats.
Although we’ve had cats and dogs as pets for countless generations, we sometimes forget that these animals aren’t inherently domesticated; it’s something we cultivate in each new generation. When we adopt puppies and kittens, they start as curious creatures eager to explore life. We, as their caretakers, guide their behavior according to what we expect from them. Interestingly, when we alter the environments in which our pets grow up, they can exhibit behaviors we wouldn’t typically associate with them.
A perfect example of this is a cat named Didga, who was raised in a rather extraordinary environment that significantly influenced her life. Didga’s owner, Robert Dollwet, is a professional dog trainer who owns several dogs and cats. While Robert usually focused on training his dogs, he noticed something special about Didga from a young age.
Didga, who was adopted from an animal shelter, grew up surrounded by other animals, especially larger ones like dogs. From the start, she showed a keen interest in Robert’s dog training sessions. She would observe attentively as the dogs learned to sit, stay, and roll over. To her, it must have seemed like fun, because soon enough, she wanted to participate too.
Training a dog to follow commands can be challenging, so one might assume that training a cat would be nearly impossible. However, Didga quickly proved to be anything but ordinary.
In no time, she began picking up the tricks the dogs were learning. She eagerly joined each training session with her Rottweiler siblings, never hesitating or doubting her place among them. With confidence and enthusiasm, Didga executed each trick, leaving her owner astonished.
Among the many tricks she mastered, Didga’s absolute favorite is rolling over. She never tires of it! While it might seem difficult for a cat to grasp such a concept, this clever kitty is redefining what we know about cats and their capabilities.
Didga’s talents and intelligence are truly remarkable. The discipline she shows in following commands is something rarely seen in cats. Watching her perform each trick in the video below is truly mesmerizing; she completes each task with such precision, it’s as if she was born to do it.
The National Park Service has a plan to potentially euthanize up to 170 feral cats under the guise of nuisance control. Demand a policy that protects these cats!
We often categorize cats and dogs as entirely different, but perhaps that’s only because of the expectations we impose on them. Just like people, animals are unique individuals, each with their own strengths and interests. Didga may have some dog-like qualities, but that doesn’t make her any less of an extraordinary cat.
This story of Didga reminds us that when we allow others the space to grow and explore their potential, they can surprise us in incredible ways. Didga’s impressive tricks have captivated the Internet, all because she was given the opportunity to learn. If we could extend this kind of belief and expectation to one another, who knows what amazing transformations we might witness in the world.