One of two things happened when you saw the title of this post. You either said, “YESSS!” and did a happy dance, or you said, “Whatever! I’ll come back later when you are talking about a real animal-like a DOG!” The cat vs. dog debate has been going on since Fred Flintstone was putting out their prehistoric feline every night, but I really don’t have anything bad to say about dogs or the owners who love them. I may have fought you on the point of which animal is “better” overall a few years ago, but I think I’ve come to realize that people just want different things out of pet ownership and those differences usually dictate which type of pet they prefer. I am obviously a self-proclaimed cat connoisseur (all the pictures are of our kitty Charlie), and I’ll sum up my few tops reasons as to why:
1.) Cats do their “business” inside. Now this may seem like a negative feature to some that think it’s gross, but unless that objector also has an outhouse (rather than indoor plumbing) for their own personal use, then I don’t really get that argument. Also, who wants to take Fido for a walk and a tinkle break in the middle of winter? Not me. Live ten flights up in a sky-rise apartment? Well, Rex needs a fire hydrant NOW, so you better get to stepping then, shouldn’t you? That’s what I thought.
2.) Cats are chillaxin’ 99% of the time. Ever walked into a house to have a dog the size of a small donkey knock you over with their enthusiasm before they hump every available corner of your body while you silently weep for your stolen innocence and youth? Cats don’t do that when they see you. Oh, sure, you may get an icy cat stare from under the bed at your friend’s house, but I’ll take that over a “slow-motion-slobberfest-like-that-one-scene-in-the-Beetoven-the-dog-movie-when-he-shakes-his-head-and-slobber-is-going-everywhere-and-I-mean-EV-ER-Y-WHERE” type of greeting any day of the week.
3.) Cats need “me time.” Again, this is another point that may not sound like a plus at first, but the truth is that I need “me time” too, so it actually works out really well. I love that there are times when Charlie is a total doll-face and follows me from room to room just to keep me company or naps with me on the couch for hours at a time. I also love that I don’t feel bad if I’m not with her every moment because I know that she also likes to take sleep on and off throughout the day, watch birds out the window, or just hide under our bed because she wants to be alone. She’s with us when she wants to be and retreats when she doesn’t feel like hanging out. Being an introvert myself, I can understand that need to recharge after a certain amount of interaction, so I never feel smothered by her and vice versa.
Anyway, these thoughts are obviously generalizations of both the feline and canine species, and your animal experience depends more on the personality of that particular pet rather than the actual category in which it belongs. I have met some mean cats and angelic dogs, so I really do love members of both camps, but I’ll probably only be a cat owner for the reasons listed above.
It’s totally ok if you’re not a “cat person,” but I am, and there’s a sleeping gray furball on my lap as I type this post and that’s just the way I like it.
I want to catnap your cat! She’s so cute!!!!!!
*catnap as in kidnap not like a catlike nap
Oh, I got that 😉
So precious! I love cats, too. If there is a kitty in the room, I will always try to cuddle it. I’ve been known to warm up to certain dogs, but only a select few have earned spots in my heart. Cat ladies for life!
Cats-love ’em!
Yes. Yes. Yes!
As a fellow feline lover, this totally resonates with me! My kitty is affectionate, but not NEEDY. He cleans himself, can be left alone for the weekend if we travel, and keeps my feet warm at the end of my bed each night. Wouldn’t trade him for the world!
Blessings!
Star
http://www.beautyandbows.com/
When I was growing up, I got a kitten that had the same coloring as your cat. I named her Muffin until we realized SHE was a HE…Bubba was a great cat!
Ha! We did that too with my cat named Jade, we just left his girly name once we figured it out 🙂
i am more of a cat over dog person for the same reasons – but for real i am a crazy bunny lady!
Cedric is the best of both – i can leave him in his cage when i leave, he makes no sounds, is litter trained, affectionate, and smart. I love him! He’s as smart as a dog but has more of a cat’s indifference. its the best… he wakes me up with bunny kisses and then runs around like crazy!
xo, aiyanajane || http://citystylecountrysmile.com/
Awww, this post makes me smile. I am in the cat camp as well. My cat Mrs. Kensington loved to follow me from room to room like your Charlie but also loved to spend hours on end giving herself a bath. Cats!
I just want all the animals but I think I’m a lot more catlike than a dog.
I’m too moody.
Awwww this post was so awesome & made me smile! I’m a crazy cat lady in training hahaha. I just truley love and adore ALL animals, but kittys just have the most special place in my animal loving heart! I got first very own kitten a couple months back and she is still my favorite lil thing in the world right meow! hahaha Thanks for sharing 🙂
— Mary
maryjozefiak.wordpress.com
adorable! I think your fur baby is so cute… making me want one 🙂
I appreciate this so much. I am a cat person through and through, but my housing complex doesn’t allow pets. That means I have to love vicariously through people with adorable felines, and your Charlie definitely qualifies. Love the picture of her perched on your shoulder!!
http://sevendaysaweekblog.blogspot.com/
Love cats! I adopted a 10 year old cat a year or so ago and she is probably the coolest thing ever. Super needy and has to sit on you, your lap, your head, your shoulder at most times with a pleasant mix of leave me the hell alone and does her own thing. Perfect!
Good for you! Charlie is a rescue cat too and such a doll!
Oh my goodness! Your grey kitty looks just like our Bacon!
http://anamericaninrome.com/wp/2011/11/francis-bacon-the-cat/
Yes!! This is great, I am totally a crazy cat lady. Thanks for sharing!
I always say: Cats are like chips, you can’t have just one … (I say this with 4 of my own).
Thanks for sharing Laura! You’ve no idea how happy it made me when I found out you were a fellow Cat Lady.
So in a cat-related Google search I happened to come upon your DIY cat cardigan post-Love it btdubbs! When I saw on your blog a section dedicated solely to cats, I realized right then that we need to be friends! Seriously! Um you seem really awesome and your blog is super fun and I love your cat charlie! She’s so photogenic! I have two of my own-Mr. Boots, a polydactyl (Hemingway cat) Tuxido cat, and Lenny, a brown tabby cat who has an attitude like he’s trying to take over the world. I’m a fashion designer, and I think Lenny is secretly one too, because he insists on getting “up in my grill” and into everything I’m doing, or am about to do! I took a class in college where my teacher asked us all to introduce ourselves, say where we were from and talk about if we had any pets. I thought everyone would want to hear one anecdotal story/fact about my two cats, so I mentioned one thing each to the class, and when I was done, my teacher looked at me and said, “Whoa! You must REALLY love your cats!” I think something similar to that moment just happened here…And yes, I do really love my cats!!
Yay! More crazy cat ladies!! So glad you’re here! 🙂
Laura