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I can't really say for sure one way or the other whether a cat or a dog is the better pet; I haven't had a dog since I was a young child. However, I did vote on the cat side because I prefer cats. Cats are unique and independent animals. They choose to be with you. Dogs on the other hand are very social creatures and need the daily interaction with their owners.

I live with a cat named Boo. You notice I didn't say I own a cat named Boo; no one owns a cat. Boo is an ocicat, which is a combination of Siamese, Abyssinian, and American Shorthair. This breed is often referred to as being dog-like. The behaviors that I see in him that I consider dog-like include always following me around, playing fetch, chewing on my shoes, coming when I call his name, and running to meet me at the door when I come home. Of course, he also has those cat-like behaviors, like sleeping 80% of the time, being fussy about his food, and not allowing you to pet him if he's not in the mood.

Having a cat is slightly less responsibility than owning a dog. You don't have to walk a cat on those cold winter mornings and you can leave a cat alone for a couple of days. With a dog, if you go away for more than one night you either have to find a babysitter to come to your house or put the dog in a kennel.

Of course, with a cat you have to change the litter box which is not the most pleasant of chores. But it is no more unpleasant than having to pick up your dog's dropping while you are out walking them and carrying it around with you until you get home. If you are lucky, you can train your cat to use the toilet. I haven't tried and I think it's a bit late to try and train my ten-year-old cat in that skill. You can also leash train your cat. Again, it's too late for me to train my cat; he runs when he hears me even pick up the harness.

While it is debated by some, I prefer to keep my cat indoors all the time. There are far too many dangers that a cat can come across in the outdoors. Since I live on the 9th floor of an apartment building it is rather a moot point. My cat is also blind so if I lived in a house he would not be going outdoors without supervision.

I also prefer cats because they are such beautiful creatures. It has been said that you don't need art in a house that has a cat. I find that you can't take a bad photograph of a cat; their poses always seem so regal.

The debate whether dogs or cats make the best pets will go on until the end of time. It basically comes down to personal taste and personality. Many people love both dogs and cats equally and live with both of them while many people will not let a dog or a cat in their home. It's the same type of debate that goes on between PC and Mac users; what is right for some is not necessarily right for others.

Learn more about this author, Susan Keeping.
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