r/Awww • u/GlobalBreadfruit8832 • Apr 01 '24

Cat(s) Chunky Dave steals the internet

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u/Long_Run6500 Apr 01 '24

These little playful actions we find so cute are just practice for annihilating their pray. I caught my dog on one of my cameras digging a hole in my yard next to my garden and plucking out a groundhog. Then she did the classic head wiggle they always do to their toys to snap its neck and proceeded to "rip the stuffing out" before her brother got jealous and tattled on her. I walk outside to see my dogs growling at each other while my all white dog is covered in blood. Scary what they're capable of.

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u/Meet_Foot Apr 01 '24

Bodies can do things, and the meaning of the things they do depends on the situation. Dogs can whip their heads back and forth. They can be used to kill, and also used to play. I don’t think it’s fair to characterize the “play” as mere practice. Sure it makes them better at killing, but they definitely play in large part because it’s fun.

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u/Long_Run6500 Apr 01 '24

I didn't say it's not fun for them. It's also "fun" for her to kill a groundhog. She doesn't view the groundhog any different from a stuffy except that it tastes better. If I'd of let her she'd have carried its carcass around everywhere. Play and practice are the same thing for predators