Do you ever wonder why cats hate dogs, and vice versa?

That question ran past my head when my dog displayed the most bizarre reaction to the television - something he ignored on an everyday basis.

My sister and I were watching an animal documentary about cats - a colony of cats that lived in Rome. They were all so fluffy and cute, especially the kittens. Lucky didn't find them so appealing. He laid in my lap, relaxed and breathing softly.

Suddenly, his ears pricked up and became agitated by the sounds coming from the television - the sounds of two tomcats caterwauling. Yes, caterwauling.

Then his eyes diverted to the screen, just as a scene of many, many cats came onscreen.

His gaze transfixed on the screen, he rose from my lap, his body tense, and moved closer to the TV. There, he sat and watched.

He watched the television.

One of the kittens moved offscreen, and Lucky followed it. When it had disappeared, he gave a growl of irritance.

My sister looked at me with incredulity.

"Lucky watched the TV!"

"Because of the cats," I reasoned, as Lucky came to me for attention and comforting.

It's an age-old mystery that had all the smarts around the world wondering, ever since time began. Well, we're still wondering why - but not that we really care. We have homework, assignments, RPGs, days and events to worry about.

We've come to accept that cats and dogs are, afterall, life-long enemies and polar opposites.

But I can't discount from the story the cases where dogs and cats are, ironically, the best of friends.

-<dd>