Well, one theory about the origin of 'raining cats and dogs' is that in old England. The houses had thatched roofs where animals like cats and dogs could find shelter. When it rained really hard, these animals would be washed off the roofs, giving the impression of them falling from the sky as if it was raining them. Another possible origin is related to the chaos that heavy rain can cause, similar to the chaos that a bunch of loose cats and dogs running around would create.
It could be from the idea that cats and dogs were seen as symbols of the elements. Cats for water in some old beliefs and dogs for air. So when there was a strong combination of wind and water, which is a heavy rain, it was like raining cats and dogs.
Dogs, cats, and rats were common pet images in ancient Chinese novels. The following is their full text and annotations:
Dog:
Dogs were a type of mammalia belonging to the canine family. Dogs were one of the earliest domesticated pets and were widely raised in families and villages. There were many kinds of dog images, such as loyalty, friendliness, and bravery, as well as fierceness, cunning, and treachery. In novels, dogs were often used to express loyalty, courage, integrity, and other qualities.
In "Dream of the Red Chamber", Jia Baoyu's servant girl, Xiren, once said to Jia Baoyu,"You don't have to be afraid of dogs. They will only bite you a few times and won't hurt your life." In addition, dogs were also used in the novel to show war, guard, ghost hunting and other plots.
Cat:
Cats were a type of mammalia belonging to the feline family. The image of a cat was usually elegant, noble, agile, and so on. It was also widely used in novels and movies. Cats were the favorite pets of many humans and many animal lovers.
In Journey to the West, Sun Wukong once used the Jingu Staff to hit a wild cat. In addition, cats were also used in novels to express cunning, treachery, and other characteristics.
Rat:
Rats were a type of mammalia belonging to the Rodent family. The image of a mouse was usually used to express intelligence, wit, and other characteristics. In novels, rats were often used to express bad qualities such as greed and cunningness.
In the Water Margins, Lin Chong was furious because a rat in his house stole his food. In addition, rats were also used to represent thieves, ghosts, and other plots in novels.
One major difference is the number of chromosomes. Cats typically have 38 chromosomes, while dogs have 78. This difference in chromosomal number makes it impossible for their genetic material to combine properly during mating. Also, their reproductive behaviors and cycles are different. For example, female cats are induced ovulators, while female dogs have a regular estrus cycle.
Definitely. In a lot of fictional works, dogs and cats are given intelligent traits. They can solve problems, sense things that humans can't. For instance, a cat in a mystery novel might be the key to solving the mystery because of its ability to observe and remember details. Dogs in adventure fictions may lead the way for their human companions, relying on their intelligence to navigate through dangerous terrains.
I recommend the urban novel, Reborn as an Orange Cat. The main character was Ron, reborn as an orange cat who loved life, family, and food. At the same time, there was also a fantasy novel called "Reborn as a Fox", which told the story of Natsui's rebirth as a nine-tailed fox. I hope you like this fairy's recommendation. Muah ~😗
On a raining day, you might see people running for shelter. The streets become wet and shiny. There could be little puddles where children love to jump. Birds might seek cover under the eaves.
Yes. 'The Tale of Despereaux' has both mice, cats and dogs in its story. While it focuses on the mouse mainly, the cats and dogs play important roles in the overall fictional world of the book.