As you know, some people are "dog people" and some people are "cat people"... some people, like me, are both. Then there are those "other" people who don't like pets at all. They just don't seem to see the need for a pet, and find them messy, a chore, and unpleasant creatures.
I started thinking about the difference between dog people and cat people today when I got into yet another snarky dialogue with my neighbor around the corner from my office who is most definitely an "other". If there was a photo on the web of an "other", that person who just in a nasty heap who hates animals, this would be her. She's the embodiment of bitterness, dressed all day in her housecoat with her hair in curlers, wearing slippers out onto the sidewalk, sticking her nose in everyone's business. She curses at me (she had better not be cursing at my dog!) under her breath every day as we walk by. Much to my delight, Angel has decided this is her new favorite location to relieve herself, and regularly visits this woman's parkway.One of these days, this woman is going to try to smack me with a rolling pin for my impatience with her hatred of animals, I promise you.
Now that I have both a cat and a dog, and I have spent some time around people like this unpleasant creature, I see there are truly three categories of people. People generally categorize themselves as dog people or as cat people, but I think dog people can also be cat people. Rarely it seems do cat people grow into dog people. This is just my experience, I'm not basing it on any facts. I used to think I was a dog person (even though I had never had a dog) because I liked the qualities of a dog - loyal, faithful, trusting, willing to go romping along with you anywhere - but then I ended up with a cat, and of course I adore my cat. I thought maybe, then, that I was a cat person - introverted, a little coy, very independent - and then I adopted the dog. I see now that you can be both a cat and a dog person, but some people are distinctly one or the other. Dog people are more outdoorsy, in general, enjoying sports and athletic activity, and seem to have a large circle of friends. Dog people seem more extroverted.Cat people, on the other hand, seem more content to curl up in the house with a great book or a good movie, and have a smaller, more select group of friends.
What I've been told by friends is that the difference between dog people and cat people can be summed up in one word: loyalty. A dog can romp outside and will usually (ideally) find their way back to your side, and back home. A cat on the other hand can wander out and may never been seen nor heard from again. This is not always the case, of course - my friend Krista's cat is a "convertible" - both indoor and outdoor - and always returns home. But it does seem to be a question of loyalty. Dogs seem by nature to be more loyal companions, whereas with a cat, you have to really work for that loyalty. There has to be patience, love, food, and the proper amount of attention given to a cat for a human to gain loyalty. Dogs seem to express loyalty more freely - often when you feed them and pet them the first time.
What saddens me though are those "others" who hate dogs, cats, guinea pigs, birds... everything and anything. Ultimately, they may hate people as well - I have yet to meet someone who dislikes animals who has a kind heart. Just because someone does not own a pet doesn't mean they hate pets - you know the "others" I'm referring to - those people who pass you on the sidewalk when you're out walking the dog who look down at you like you're walking a scorpion. A wise person once told me never to date someone that didn't love pets because they won't be loving partners. I think that may be very true.
Are you a cat person? A dog person? Both? Is it possible to be one and not the other? Let me know your thoughts.
Comments
I believe you can be one or the other or just generally an animal lover. I'm truly a dog / dachshund lover. Thanks for sharing. J;-)
I'm quite a cat person. I love the way they are. I really believe royalty is something you need to work with. No one naturally belong to anyone. There is definitly close relationship between cats and people. Sometimes they just show their feelings a lot. But if you treat them the way you should, they will trust you and show their affection of you.
I grew up with dogs my whole life, I was also a dog walker (10 dogs a day). I also grew up with cats and as I grew older I became more and more a cat person. I have trouble with drooling and snoring and licking sounds....Also the smell of a dirty dog. To me dogs are more work and although I am an animal lover all around I would rather live with a cat who you never have to bathe, clean up drool off your new pillows or blankets, never have to be kept awake from loud and constant licking noises or snoring. I am trying to deal with the fact that had to leave my two beloved cats behind because they grew up together and even though the girl was my cat, she needed to be with her brother...so she stayed with my ex. Now, moved into a new place with my new boyfriend and his dog it's becoming harder and harder to live with the dog and without my cats. I feel like something is missing in my life. I feel like it's unfair that I can't have a cat CONTINUED.......
I can't have a cat because my boyfriends dog isn't allowed on the couch due to ruining the pillows and blankets and he said if I get a cat he or she isn't allowed on the couch. Never in my life have a heard of a cat that isn't allowed on the couch! Totally different animals! Cats don't drool! Cats are clean....I enjoy my cats laying next to me petting them where as a dog you can pet while he is on the floor and not slobbering on you or the couch. Does this make any sense to anyone else? Unfair that he gets his pet and I have nothing but a snoring, farting (REALLY smelly, worse than any human I know) drooling dog to look at and smell. I love all animals but let me tell you, I miss having a cat as my companion more than anything. Is it selfish to make it impossible for me to have the animal that I so much love? Is it mean to say, I can have a dog but you can't have anything unless it stays off the couch even though it is totally out of the question to train a cat to do that? I think itis
i love cats..and diss like dogs. love all animals excluding dogs. dont know why. ive had dogs and liked two in my life. both great dogs had the personality of cats. i absolutly dispise small dogs..no point in a small dog.
While growing up, I always had a dog, but once I could start having my own pets, I also had a cat, a bird, and some rabbits. I loved them all equally. I would've also wanted a bearded dragon, but didn't want to have that many animals on my plate. I'm generally an all-around animal lover. I don't think i've ever met someone in the "other" category. Usually they can't have a pet because they know a family member is allergic, or know they don't have the facilities to pay for care/food/etc. Most people I know will have interest in one category or the other of dog/cat/reptile/etc.
To make a general statement, dogs are disgusting by nature. But having said that, I've met dogs I liked. All I require from them is decent manners and cleanliness. If dog owners would be aware of these two courtesies, more cat people would embrace dogs as tolerable - or even lovable!
I was a devout cat person; his name was Peter, he was the imbred offspring of one of the many "stray" cats that joined weekly to romp under my uncle's mobile home's patio. I carried him home in the pocket of my hoodie when I was about 9. I fell madly in love with that man - err I mean cat! He was the picture of loyalty to me, devoted to my return from the school bus, keeper of my loose yarn strings, the warm thing on my feet at 2 am, and he returned when it began to rain/snow promptly asking to be rubbed dry and fed. I've always found the work in gaining the trust of a cat just the challenge I've never had in a relationship! As you see I love my cat(s). Sadly he went on the "never ending" journey out doors on the very day I returned from college to my parents home at the ripe old age of 12 (which is amazing for an indoor/outdoor pet).
THEN some 3 years (and 2 hamsters, 4 mice, 6 rats, 3 cats and several fish and snails) later my mother passed away. And along came the dog (to b cont
Then along came the dog?
The dog I never thought I'd love (not nearly like my Pete), the puppy who after 5 weeks of being in my life I sat bewildered on the floor crying "I don't think i can keep her, we aren't right for each other, I'm doing something wrong" as she wized on the little green carpet I had placed on the floor in front of my stove!I don't know what it was about her. Maybe her photo (giant bat wing ears), or the plea from a rescue in Mississippi that dogs were being put to sleep, or the fact that she was going to be just a lil chihuahua pup (no bigger than my cats) that drew me in. I don't know if I felt having lost mum (like w/my Pete) that there were no other humans (cats) that could live up to that void of loss so I had to try another species all together? One year (28 lbs & 2.5 feet-not a Chihuahua) later she is quickly becoming my favorite thing in the world! Even if she wasn't exactly what I'm accustomed to 'getting' out of a pet.She was totally what I needed -a dog
love them both and an occasional chimpmonk or crawfish
I'm a 100% cat person. There's never been a question about it. If you have a strong inkling for either animal and can't imagine living without a cat or dog in your life, I think it's important to find a husband/wife that shares the same view. To me, being able to have a cat is a deal breaker. Luckily I found a man that loves cats more than I do. Men who like cats are pretty sexy!
I don't dislike dogs but I find them unpredictable. I don't know how to talk to them. I can go up to any cat and feel like I get them. But with a dog I'm always afraid of them biting me. So I can be around dogs of family or friends but I would never touch a dog off the street. I've seen plenty of dog people being able to do that. I don't have the gift, I guess.
But I agree with the author, people that don't like animals at all are just angry and bitter people. What's not to love?
Honesty I HATE cats I dont think there's anything a cat can do that a dog can't. With a cat you cant do anything but sit around, with a dog you can run and have a good time. Dogs are very loyal creatures that have been known to save lives. Cats are too predictable too boring! With cats you know at some time they ARE gonna bite you. Let a dog sniff you and he will open up. I have never met a cat I liked. They are unsociable boring creatures, dogs are incredibly social and caring animals. Cats give you ABSULUTELY NOTHING! Dogs provide you with hours of fun and play.
-100% dog lover
I used to rescue cats and dogs...but I always knew that I was a dog person, and do not want to live with a cat. Never! I do not like the way cats smell - clean or dirty (I know that most of the time they are clean), neither do I like how their food smells. Dogs, on the other hand, I love how they smell no matter what...if they roll in poop outside or dirt, I don't mind washing them (I have two dogs). They are like children. I mean, babies' butts need to be washed after pooping, right? Is there a choice? A cat? Nope. I love my dogs, and I do not hate cats, but I do not like them. I do not know why! I want to like them...but I am always scared that they will bite me, very unexpectedly, which has happened in the past. They can scratch you too, all of the sudden, and you just pat them! Showed them love! Dogs, if they plan to bite you, they will tell you...I love dogs, love them! But I want to love cats! How can I do that, if I find them so unloyal, unpredictable, and simply do not like their smell or attitude? I noticed that I do not get along with most of the people who own cats...that's strange, too...another reason i want to maybe start loving cats as I do dogs...
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