In rec.arts.sf.written Peter D. Tillman wrote:
: Could be worse. When my parents lived in Kenya, they had friends whose
: dog slept at the foot of their bed. Until the night when a leopard came
: through the (unscreened) bedroom window, grabbed the dog, jumped back
: out. While the couple were in bed, watching in horror.

That's the 'other way' a pet can protect the family: by being easier prey.

: Cheers -- Pete Tillman

-bertil-
--
"It can be shown that for any nutty theory, beyond-the-fringe political view or
strange religion there exists a proponent on the Net. The proof is left as an
exercise for your kill-file."