Diana Bauer wrote:
>
> Animals can be cruel, though. I have stopped my cat several times from
> playing with shrews and mice she has caught but not killed. She does
> not eat them, but rather considers them kitty Frisbees. Animals are
> not perfect. I don't expect them to be. But at least the dog, cat,
> snakes, lizards, frogs, toads, and turtles in the house don't try to
> enthrall me with hours of details about the new Star Wars movie like
> my kids do!
>

Here is a true example of anthropomorphism - assigning the human concept
of cruelty to animals.  Animals are NOT cruel, they are merely amusing
themselves.  It is man's tenderhearted desire that the shrew not suffer
that is placing the label of cruelty.

If the cat had a sense of cruelty, it would probably think that Ms.
Bauer is being cruel for taking it's toy away.

And it is certainly cruel punishment to have to endure tales of the new
Star Wars movie, regardless of their origin.

James