Stay with me in this totally hypothetical situation, okay? I know this seems pointless to even ponder, but that’s the cool thing about having thoughts and opinions, we get to share them with others. Even if they are a little strange sometimes.

Within the last few years there has been more awareness surrounding the LGBTQ community with the legalization of gay marriage in the United States and so forth. I think this is important because people should be comfortable in how others address them. It is helpful to one’s self-image to be seen as you want to be seen. An even more radical idea: I think everyone should be able to love who they want to love. With that being said, please do not misunderstand this food for thought, I’m simply proposing this idea of animals being trans-species rather than transgender.

My roommate has a cat, but if I described him to you without using the color of his fur or his specific vocalizations, you would think I’m describing a dog. He drinks out of the toilet, whines when he gets lonely, he plays fetch, he destroys his toys, and he responds to his owner’s call. This got me thinking, what if animals could identify as other animals? Like what if instead of being concerned with gender rights, they are focused on species’ rights. Along these same lines, my family dog acts like a cat. He naps all day long, eats in secret, and loves to cuddle on your lap. He is also smaller than some cats.

I think humans are much different from animals, but in lots of ways we are the same. We are capable of complex human emotion and thought. Not to mention, humans have sex for pleasure whereas not all animals do. I think this supposed/perceived pleasure humans receive from sex is crucial to how a person chooses to identify themselves. Because there are animals who do not have sex for pleasure, they must identify themselves in other ways. They do this through their behavior. They show us how much of a cat they really are by curling up on your bed as you’re trying to change the sheets. What if when animals meet and they sniff each other, they are introducing themselves?

“Hi, I’m Winston and I am a cat (except for when I go pee outside).”

“Hello. My name is Nemo and I am a dog. Do you wanna play? Let’s play.” *Pounces*

Here's a link to Nemo's instagram where I found this photo:https://www.instagram.com/sharkbait_hoohaha/?hl=en

Dogs could learn how to use litter boxes, and cats could try going for a daily walk, oh the madness! It would be strange to see a dog climb a tree like I have seen some cats do. It would be tough to be a dog who identified as a squirrel or a stray cat. It sort of makes you wonder if some of the cats who get hit by cars are trying to fit in with the deer who can survive the crash. Ouch! I would love to further this conversation as just a really fun hypothetical. Maybe there could be a cartoon about this or something. I have definitely read stories where baby animals have been abandoned by their own mother, and another species takes the little one in as their own.