First off, my apologies for the big empty space (if it’s still there today) above this posting. I have no idea what happened, but in my typical clumsy fashion, I have somehow managed to screw up even this blog!!!


I read in the National Post yesterday that dolphins may not be as smart as we think they are, just because they have a big brain. The writer went on to say that dolphins could likely be outwitted by lab rats, and even goldfish??

So, even though I have a hard time picturing a dolphin, a lab rat, and a goldfish in the same classroom filling out a pop quiz, I had an even harder time with their picks for the top ten smartest animals:

1) Great Apes (includes humans, chimps gorillas, etc): Being human, I can agree with this, although the one great ape I have in my poker group really isn’t all that bright…
2) New World Monkeys: Are they really that much smarter than Old World Monkeys??
3) Dolphins, Whales. Etc: I thought they said dolphins weren’t really that bright?? Shouldn’t mice and goldfish be number three?? Ugh…
4) Pigs: Well, Babe could sure talk up a storm, so I’d have to agree with this one…
5) Octopuses: I like my octopuses not so much bright, but more breaded and deep-fried.
6) Crows, Ravens, Magpies, etc.: Whenever I have to eat crow, I always feel much smarter myself…
7) Dogs: My wife recently enrolled me in a dog obedience school, so I’ll update you after a few lessons.
8) Cats: We used to have cats that were world-class gymnasts. That takes some brains, and on more than one occasion, they outwitted me over a ball of yarn.
9) Elephants: This one surprised me. I know they’ve got good memories, but being so sluggish, I guess they must keep a lot of that brain power pent up for something. Imagine seeing a couple of those beasts working security at a popular nightspot!!
10) Parrots: Parrots have also frightened me a bit. I used to keep crackers handy, just in case I ever ran into one of those talking show-offs. If you can mimic humans, you’d have to be smarter than a pig??

Chow for now!!