by P. M. Montgomery

Created on: November 18, 2009   Last Updated: November 19, 2009

As an animal lover I have both dogs and cats in my home. Growing up, we always had at least one of each as a pet. At this time in our life we have two dogs and two cats. I love them all, but if I have to pick, my natural inclination is to lean toward a cat.

I love my dogs dearly. They give me that unconditional love and companionship that every dog owner knows and adores. They are also needy and demanding at times. Require much more grooming and frequent trips to the backyard for bathroom breaks. They remind me of my children when they were about three or four, only smarter. They are fairly picky eaters, too, and have learned that we have a stash of treats for them. They get one every morning, another one around four in the afternoon, and one at bedtime. And if that 4:00 time rolls around and someone isn't headed for the treat stash, then we are hounded, pun intended, until one of us wises up and goes to fetch the damn things for them.

We are also finding ourselves scheduling our out of the house activities around the dogs. We have to be home by a certain time to let them out, etc. We can't leave them outside because they bark at the neighbors and make general nuisances of themselves. Really, the children were easier because we could take them almost every place we went. The dogs, not so much.

My cats, on the other hand, are very low maintenance. I have two that are both short hair breeds, so grooming is almost nonexistent. They are surprisingly non-picky eaters. As long as they get their once daily mix of canned cat food with the dry cat food, they are good to go. Their food dish has to be kept up high so the canines can't get to it, but other than that, no demands are placed on us, unless the dish becomes empty. Then Molly, the smart one, may come around and look at me funny, until it dawns on me that she might want something. I go in search of whatever it is she might require, and usually find an empty food bowl or the empty water bowl that the dogs have slurped down once again. They do share quite well in that area.

Both cats are indoor cats, so are litter box trained. We have been known to leave them alone in the house for as long as a week, with just a neighbor or family member coming over to feed them and clean out the litter box once a day. They do just fine without us. When we come home, Molly is a bit clingier, and by that I mean she will come and sit by me for a few minutes and then go off on her merry way. I choose to take it that she missed me.

Molly is affectionate in her own way. When I am writing, such as now, she is usually curled up beside me on the bed, or keeping my feet warm. Unassuming, just being nearby in case I should want to pet her, or scratch behind her ears or something. If I should choose to do that, then I am rewarded with loud purring and a look that says it all. She adores me and it is in those big, green eyes for the entire world to see.

I like that non clingy non needy love that a cat gives. I like the independent nature of the beast, so to speak. I admire their spirit. They choose you to be a part of their lives. You are not their master, you are part of their family. They allow you in and love you just as much as your dog does, just not in such a showy, clowny way, and that's fine. Who could stand a house full of animals that all acted like our crazy dogs anyway?

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