Tomorrow is a holiday (in a sense). Today is “If your pet had a thumb” day. It may sound like fiction, but this is a real day and it's time to think about how things would be different if your pet had a thumb.
Opposed thumbs are found primarily in humans and primates. A thumb allows you to grasp and hold things with one hand, use tools such as wrenches and screwdrivers, and hold glasses and sandwiches. So what could dogs and cats do if they had thumbs?
Some people have suggested that you can send messages to your pet, but does it need to be able to read? I've met some pretty smart dogs (and cats) who might understand what you say, but reading words? I'm not sure about that. So what can you actually do if your pet has thumbs?
The can opener might work! Some cats love canned cat food. When the can is not opened, the lid of the jar may be removed. Or open the refrigerator. Imagine your pet not only accessing the milk jug, but unscrewing the cap.
Another possibility for pets with thumbs is to unlatch gates. No dog wants to be trapped in the backyard if they can open the gate and run free, until they are captured by animal control or hit by a car. Your thumb is also useful for unlocking doors and turning doorknobs. If my cat could go outside, he would be roaming around the neighborhood.
If your pet has thumbs, they don't need to grab everything with their mouths. You might actually be able to throw your own ball and chase it. Without thumbs, they need us for that and many other things.
So “If Your Pet Had a Thumb Day” may remind us that being needed helps build strong relationships. It gives us the opportunity to bond with our best friends and keep them safe and healthy. When we talk about pets, it's something to celebrate.
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