Abstract
As we move into another New Year, the passing of 2000 sees the close of the second year of production of this journal. Much has been achieved during those two years, and the JFMS has already become an indispensable publication for all veterinarians with a serious interest in feline medicine and surgery. Feedback on the journal has been consistently positive, and we aim to continue to provide a range of original publications and state-of-the-art reviews that are relevant to practitioners and scientists working in this field. It is in recognition of the quality and relevance of the JFMS that we recently heard news that the journal has been accepted for listing in Medline. This is no small achievement for such a young journal, and was also accomplished at the first time of asking. This is exciting news, and reflects the hard work put in by the publishing team (led by Wendy Kimber and Emma Dahm), the editorial board and, of course, the many contributors to the journal who have provided such a high quality of papers. My sincere thanks go to all involved, and there is no doubt that the listing of the journal in Medline will further raise its profile and ensure its continued growth and success. The future is indeed bright!
While looking forward to 2001, it is perhaps appropriate to finish off this year with some humour. While doing some on-line surfing recently, I came across an explanation of the differences between dogs and cats that has a certain ring of truth …
The Origin of Pets
It is reported that the following edition of the Book of Genesis was dicovered in the Dead Sea Scrolls. If authentic, it would shed light on the question. ‘Where did pets come from?’
And Adam said, ‘Lord, when I was in the garden, you walked with me every day. Now I do not see you anymore. I am lonesome here and it is difficult for me to remember how much you love me.’ And God said, ‘No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will know I love you, even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish and childish and unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourself.’
And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam. And it was a good animal. And God was pleased. And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and he wagged his tail. And Adam said, ‘But Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and all the good names are taken and I cannot think of a name for this new animal.’ And God said, ‘No problem! Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG.’
And Dog lived with Adam and was a companion to him and Eve and loved them. And Adam was comforted. And God was pleased. And Dog was content and wagged his tail. After a while, it came to pass that Adam's guardian angel came to the Lord and said, ‘Lord, Adam has become filled with pride. He struts and preens like a peacock and believes he is worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught him that he is loved, but no one has taught him humility.’
And the Lord said, ‘No problem! I will create for him a companion who will be with him forever and who will see him as he is. The companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know he is not worthy of adoration.’ And God created Cat to be a companion for Adam. And Cat would not obey Adam. And when Adam gazed into Cat's eyes, he was reminded that he was not the Supreme Being. And Adam learned humility. And God was pleased. And Adam was greatly improved.
And Cat did not care one way or the other.
[Author unknown]