Stay a Dog, Don’t Become a Cat

I have a friend who once told me the difference between cats and dogs. When you get up in the morning and feed your dog he looks up at you and thinks: “She comes, finds my food and pours it for me—she must be a god.” A cat thinks: “She comes, finds my food and pours it out for me—I must be a god.”  –Peggy Noonan (WSJ Aug 3, 2013)

When I came across Peggy’s quote this weekend, I immediately thought of several applicable situations in startup life, where it is better to be doglike than catlike:

1. Successful startup founders and early employees become leaders in their respective industries. For some, growing leadership correlates with growing a catlike big-head. Stay humble; be a dog.
2. Once successful, some startups begin exhibiting catlike attitudes towards their customers. Keep doglike respect for customers.
3. Once wealth begins to accumulate, some grow an unhealthy amount of pride just thirsting for more power, fame, and wealth. Avoid catlike ego, vaulted self-importance, and selfishness. Be humble and grateful; be a dog.

What other ways does the dog/cat analogy apply?