by Pat Lunsford

Created on: January 29, 2007   Last Updated: October 06, 2009

Pets fill those places within us we didn't know were empty. Anyone living alone could benefit tremendously by getting a cat or a dog. Coming home to an empty place can be depressing but having your furry little four-legged friend greet you happily at the door can make a big difference.

While there is a certain amount of responsibility associated with having a cat, a dog requires more. Providing them with ample food and water, you can leave cats for longer periods of time. Dogs need to be walked regularly.

Both dogs and cats need love and attention, and even though cats enjoy being stroked and loved, they are somewhat emotionally independent and don't seem the least bit slighted when ignored. Dogs on the other hand, crave your affection, waiting anxiously for you to acknowledge them.

The old saying, "Cats choose their owners", bears a lot of truth. While they can be very loving pets, cats are not as loyal as dogs. Your cat may run to you when you get home and seem very happy to see you, but leave the cat with someone for a good length of time and it may not run to you the way it did before.

Dogs are very loyal. Once you and your dog have bonded, it doesn't matter how long you leave it in the care of someone else as it will always remember you. Most dogs are protective of their owners and quickly become part of the family. Small dogs can sometimes be even more protective. They may not be able to take down an intruder, but most small breeds will attack vehemently when threatened.

The size of a large dog can be intimidating enough to make anyone think twice before approaching. However, most large dogs that have been allowed to socialize, need a lot of motivation to defend its owner. On the other hand, most small breeds are high-strung and even the slightest threatening sound can hurl them into a defensive mode.

What are you looking for in a pet?

Dogs need to be walked every day. Many dog owners love walking their dogs. It's good exercise, fresh air and a good way to make friends. But if you can't walk a dog or your schedule doesn't permit it, a dog may not be the right pet for you.

Owning a cat has many advantages. Cats are very intelligent and they will greet you happily with lots of affection, but aren't as needy as a dog. And even though they welcome your attention, they are pretty much independent. Cats love to chase insects and mice. Matter of fact, in the 17th century, many farmers paid as much as a week's salary for a cat.

Regardless of whether it's a dog or a cat, having any pet is a responsibility. They are not toys. They are living beings with needs, wants, feelings, and they depend on you the way a child depends on a parent.

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