July 20, 2010
-
Being Catty
I’ve had many pets in my life…birds, fish, turtles, ducks, horses, goats, dogs and cats. The cats that I’ve had were barn cats, though, not housebound lap varieties. I’ve always considered myself more of a “dog person” than a “cat person.” Dogs just seem more personable to me, more loyal, and well, they don’t use a litter box in the house and stink up the whole darn place. I’m also not allergic to dogs like I am cats.
About a year ago my daughter, Marisa, asked me if she could have a pet. My stepdaughter’s cat had kittens and she was trying to find them good homes. I hesitated and hemmed and hawed at the whole proposition. I wasn’t even sure it was physically possible for me to have a cat in my presence, although I had heard if you get the cat when it’s young enough, an allergic person will build up an immunity to the dander. She really wanted a dog, but we’re not allowed to have dogs where we currently live. My husband (who was just my fiancé at the time) had recently lost a beloved cat. He never thought of himself as a cat person, either, but this little cat saw him through some rough and lonely times, providing him companionship when his fiancée (previous to me) passed away suddenly.
All things considered, I told her we’d give it a shot. She brought this little gray and white puffball home. It was cute, and playful. She named it “Bella.” It wasn’t until it got a little bigger that I noticed Bella needed a name change to a more masculine one. His name is now “Kip.”
Kip is a house cat. I have not been bothered by allergies with him. He is a destructive and smelly cat. He knows his name and comes when I call him. The daughter is rarely home and I or my husband end up feeding him and cleaning out his litter box most of the time.
One time, a few months ago, Kip escaped the confines of our abode. Being a dumb cat I wasn’t sure he’d find his way back. I started missing him. I missed the “talks” we’d have when I came home from work (Meow sessions…don’t ask, we understood each other). I missed him wanting attention from me (when he decided he wanted it, of course). I almost cried when I thought he wasn’t coming back. We went out looking for him, but being the stealthy bundle of a cat that he is (and coming into his sexual maturity) he was nowhere to be found. I went to bed that night heartbroken.
The next morning I awoke to find that he had come home and one of Marisa’s house guests had let him in after they heard him meowing loudly at the front door. I was so glad to see him, I scooped him up, cuddled and pet him, and verbally chastised him for running away. Yes, I was scolding a cat. I was speaking harsh words. To a cat. What had become of me? Had I turned into a cat person?
The answer to that is…not really. I have a love/hate relationship with this furry beast. He’s got his own personality, and usually he’s pretty cool to have around. I did miss him when he was gone. But just now, after cleaning up a nasty hairball off of the floor, I am considering leaving the door open, just wide enough for a cat body to go through.
Are you a dog or cat person?
Comments (18)
I’m definitely a dog person, also allergic to cats. But I can appreciate cats, most of the time – as long as they don’t live with me. They’re smart (read: sneaky and vengeful) and mostly don’t care if you live or die, as long as they are fed and watered. The particularly finicky type require their litter box changed several times a day or they won’t poo in it. But, they’re fun to watch. They are adorable, especially when they’re wee. And not all cats are jerks, treating you sweetly only when they want food – some are actually quite lovey.
All that said, I must confess: I’ve had several cats throughout my lifetime thus far: two sets of two and one loner in my adult life. I have to agree, get them young and you do adjust to the dander better. I don’t even remember what happened to the first set, but I do remember that one was named ‘Karma’ – I’d ask my ex husband but, well, erm… no. The second set were named ‘Woody’ (Toy Story was newish at the time) and ‘Ritalin’. Yes, Ritalin. He earned that name, and came when called by it. Then, he ran away (horny little sucker), and later I moved in with a boyfriend and his son was allergic… so Woody went to a farm – which suited his aloof and confident personality better, I think. But I miss Woody, every so often, when I see a cat who reminds me of him. The ‘loner’ cat I adopted from a foster home, and she went back within the week. I didn’t even get to name her. 3am LOUD and INCESSANT meowing in a house shared with two other people is NOT cool.
Cats are funny, cute and sneaky but I prefer to admire them from afar at this point. But I do love a big fat tuxedo cat. So maybe… someday… ;o)
@Grace - I just remembered Karma’s sister’s name: Abigail.
)
I was always a dog person until I had to give up my “first born” (a german shepard). Was so heartbroken I swore I would never have another dog.(and I never have)So I resorted to cats. Never liked cats much but my two “boys” Nemo & Comet are awesome cats. Love em to death. BTW I talk to them all the time so I guess I am that crazy cat lady!
Dog – no other comment needed
As a kid, I was definitely a cat person. Now…I’m definitely a dog person.
Most definitely a cat person. I love my kitty, Elvis, too much.
When I was little there were these 2 extremely large German shepherds that belonged to my neighbor. They always jumped on me, and when they jumped, they were as tall, if not taller, than me. Big dogs scared me. Especially the aggressive ones.
I’ve always had cats most of my life. I has an awesome dog when I was 12 (a collie/shepard mix named Heidi) who saved me from a very ugly stepfather), but couldn’t keep her. Later, I had an awesome lab/mix named D’Artangnan, but that only lasted 6 weeks because I had to move. It wasn’t till I got my little Fizzy man that I really became a dog lover. I don’t mind cats (I don’t want them anymore), but I am thankful I don’t have to clean litter boxes, find cat fur on the counters, etc. Basically, once I got Fizzy and Lulu… I am now a die hard dog lover and always will be.
@Grace - Yes, the caterwauling in the wee hours is more than a little disturbing! I love them more as kittens, too…the cuteness wears off all to soon as they grow. I love how you shared your cat experiences! I know you have a blog elsewhere, but you should consider starting one here on Xanga…it’s a great community, and we need your kind of writing talent here…not that many here aren’t talented writers, but there is always room for more!
@comet555 - Some dogs can never be replaced. That’s probably why I haven’t tried, either. I would be embarrassed to admit how much I talk to this cat…oops…I guess I just did!
@Kilkennys_Pub - Understood!
@filtered_sunlight@momaroo - What do you think changed your preference?
@ourblasphemousrumors - Elvis - – great name! I think that being traumatized like that as a child is enough to turn anyone into a cat person. That would have scared me, too. I was fortunate as a young child to have been around docile dogs. There are some dog breeds that I wouldn’t own, even now as an adult. Some are just too unpredictable.
@ShadesOfAnnie - Hmm, I had a shepherd at age 12, too, that saved me from a very ugly stepfather. I want to trade this cat in on a dog. Wish I could!
that the nice (?) thing about cats. they always find their way back, whether you want them to or not.
@bipolori - LOL, yes, that is the nice (?) thing!
@CynaraJane - Yes, I agree…and kitties were just so nice, you know, especially to a 6 year old.
i’ve always been crazy for critters of all kinds – since my only 2 dogs (ever owned) passed -i have become a ‘cat’ person –just ‘cuz they’re easier to care for time/responsibility wise -(being here/single…) i’ve had a number of them – but my # 1 son -Desperado – who i raised from a 3 oz runt -bottle fed – is convinced i’m his mother –and behaves more like a dog than any cat i’ve ever known -at 17, he will not let me in the door w/o a kiss…
speakinawhich… where the heck is kittyCat? she better gimme a shout…
i’m a cat person. they’re low maintenance, and they don’t cry if you go away for a few days. =)
Comments are closed.