Writer's Block: Meow vs. Arf - Which do you prefer, cats or dogs?

[shipperx]

Contrary to myth, it's perfectly possible to love both. 

I've loved my kittes over the years.  Each of them was dear to my heart.  Sweet, loving and wonderful.  People who don't like cats, have never had a cat actually love them.  Because they are wonderfully loving pets, they just tend to love who they love... and not give a shit about anyone else.  They are also easier to care for than dogs.

I've also loved each and every one of the dogs I have had and the one I do have.  They are open hearted little joyful creatures who crave affection and return it in  kind.  They're somewhat more demanding  (and perhaps a bit more... childlike?)  than cats, but it's all love.

The only pet I've had (and I've had everything from cats, dogs, horses, gerbils, to rabbits) that I really would never have again is a rabbit.  (Maybe the gerbils, but honestly, the gerbils were easy pets, only real problem being their tendency to devour some of their babies).  The rabbit, however, was neither easy, nor affectionate, nor all that up on the idea of being a pet in the first place.

I always agreed with the rule my sister gave about pets to her children.  She told them that the only pets they were allowed to have were pets that want to be your pet, that caring for other kinds of animals is a different sort of thing and not one she was signing up for.  Dogs and cats want to be with you and to be your pet.  If you don't adopt them, they're just as likely to adopt you. 

There's a reason they've both been domestic pets for thousands of years.  They've evolved to live with us.

Comments

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Admittedly my sister's rule was to avoid her boys asking for snakes. She wanted no snakes in the house.

I remember one of her friends in college had a HUGE pet rat. And, actually, the pet rat was kind of cool. (I wouldn't want one, but I can see where they'd make a cool pet.)

Snakes, however? I have a flat-out phobia about snakes (as does my sister.)

[kitmarlowescot2.livejournal.com]

I am not much for snakes. Not much brains in most of them. Rats though, I love to have another rat. Gabe was just a pet store rat, but he was awesome. Unfortunately I was allegeric to the oils rats product from their paws and can't have another one. What I would love to get, but my mother has definitely vetoed that idea and as long I live with her I can't have is... chickens. I love to have a small flock of four. I just got to hold some last week and boy were some of the Rhode Island red chicks bold, even as confirmed pullets. They came right up and ate from my hands, the others were more timid. But I liked the boldness of the Barred Rock and Rhode Island Reds. Oh well, I am thinking of sharing a flock with friend of my mother, she would like a small flock again.
As for cats and dog. I have had several cats over my life, and have loved them all. And one dog, who is still alive. Morgan drives me up the wall, but I do like him. But the one thing I prefer a cat, who if left alone for an hour won't go and chit on my bed.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

My Grandad had chickens when I was a kid. I loved playing with the chicks, and even with the chickens. I was too young to notice though that they were slowly disappearing (because we were eating them.) :)

[kitmarlowescot2.livejournal.com]

Cool, if you describe them to me. I might be able to tell you what he had. And well yes most chickens are dual purpose, you ate the roosters between age four and six months. And after two to three years you ate the hens. And then started all over again. Mine though would be in a retirement home. I would let them die out then start over again. Most chickens rarely live past more four to six years any way.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I don't know. Reddish ones.

[kitmarlowescot2.livejournal.com]

They were then probably Rhode island reds, New Hampshires, or maybe even red sex links.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

My mom or Dad probably know. Grandad was Mom's dad, but he just gardened and kept chickens (because they lived in the rural, rural, rural deep South). Dad's dad own a huge farm and his mom ran a store, and his mom grew her own chickens selling their eggs at her story. (And the reason grandad was Grandad and Dad's dad and mom are his dad and mom is that my father's parents died before I was born. Mom's parents were the grandparents I grew up with).

[kitmarlowescot2.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean, they are family to you. But you didn't know them, so while you treasure it when your dad talks about them you don't feel that connection. Or maybe that is just me.

[kitmarlowescot2.livejournal.com]

Oh PS I forget to mention most scientist believe that cats domesicated themselves.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

I can see that. Seems plausible to me.

Then again, one of my favorite bedtime stories when I was growing up was the Rudyard Kipling, "Just So" story "The Cat who Walked By Himself" so of course I'm willing to believe that the cat domesticated himself... but never quite gave up his wild ways. :)

[ceciliaj.livejournal.com]

I have a terrible phobia about snakes, too. I find it comforting when people share it for some reason, because I feel pathetic how much I freak out.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

I have a deep and abiding, night-terror-like fear of snakes. Can't go into a pet shop or the reptile house at the zoo phobia of snakes. I have no need to ever see or be near a snake -- ever.

How's that? ('Cause I'm dead serious).

[paratti.livejournal.com]

You are not alone in the snake phobia.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Seriously.

Rats? Pshaw! I mean, I wouldn't want to walk up on one by accident or anything, but it's not some deep insidious fear (and if it's a pet -- no fear at all).

Bugs? Well I wouldn't want to be stung by one. I'm not 'yay bugs!" but... it's just a bug.

Spiders? Some are dangerous. But generally they're beneficial in the garden. No problem.

Snakes? PARALYZING FEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[paratti.livejournal.com]

Seriously.

Me. Amazon. Bloody great enormous tarantula walking across the ceiling of the hut we were eating in. No Problemo.
Boots have to be stuffed with socks and shaken out in the morning anyway so that any scorpions don't bite. No problem.
I come within 70 feet of a snake and screamed the jungle down.