We all have our preference in if we want to have a pet, and if so, what kind of animal is your pet going to be? Well, I have a distinct preference for cats. And living with them can be a joy and a challenge. My fur-babies seem to rule my life.
Reasons to Live With Cats
I have many reasons that show why I choose to live with cats.
The first reason is habit. My family has had cats as long as I can remember. I grew up with them, and was imprinted to the disposition of loving cats. They were always there, and cats played a big role in my life. I an extrovertived introvert, so cats seemed like the only beings I could be around without feeling crowded.
That is the second reason I choose to live with cats. Being an extrovertived introvert makes it hard for me to get out and deal with people. I have a hard time dealing with people, especially in large groups. If I am performing a job like cashiering or waitressing I can take it. Bu when that chore is over, all I want to do is hide in my house with nobody around. My cats help me recharge my extrovertive side so I can go out to do it again.
A third reason I value my cats so highly is they give me a focus. I have emotional problems which cause me to need a stable routine. This caused me to get a habitual schedule, even though it was not tight. Feeding times were flexible. Playtime could vary in time of day and duration.
The final major reason I prefer to have cats in my life is that they are semi-independent. I do not have the patience to deal with the energy and needs of a dog. I shudder every time I see the effects of a poorly trained dog has on peoples lives and possessions. Yes, cats scratch the furniture, and make messes in the house. The messes can range from knocked over plants to knocked over glasses, to being sick on the carpet. I have not seen had a healthy cat use the floor as a toilet, unless the litterbox was so disgusting a rat would not go near it. (Not mine).
Living Without Cats
At the same time, I know that there are many that are happy not living with cats. There are several reasons that they give that echo some of my positives with negative.
The first reason that I usually hear is that cats are nasty creatures. They point out that cats vomit on the carpet or in slippers. Cats take advantage of the soft ground of a garden and use it as a litterbox. They are little terrors that scratch not only furniture but people. But in most cases, the cat is just defending itself from unwanted attention or abuse.
A second reason I hear that cats are unpopular with some people is about the way they hunt. Hunting by cats is not always for food. They hunt for sport also. People give this reason when they have concern for birds or small animals. because they are bird watchers. It is true, cats find birds a really good prey. They are in a category of animals we know as surplus killers.
Third, I hear people talk about how useless a cat is. They only see that cats do nothing but eat and sleep. Cats are notorious about shedding hair. But really, if you think about it, so do dogs. Cats defecate in the garden. This is true in part, I admit.
They have had negative experiences with cats. As a result have developed an extreme dislike or even hatred of cats. I can see the point these people have. However, I take these experiences philosophically. Most of the time, when cats act out, they are either in pain. Or they have been teased and tormented beyond patience.
Many cultures believe that cats are evil or unlucky. Consider the black cat. Early common belief systems believed that cats, black in specific, were agents of the devil, or a witch’s familiar. And their lack of loyalty (although they can be) unlike dogs is a deterrent for many.
So My Take-Away
My take-away about this whole brouhaha about cats, love them or hate them, is that I love mine and cannot seem to live without them. I do not believe that black cats are bad luck or evil. I always have had at least one. And it pains me that superstitious, mean, or ignorant people still delight in the torture and death of these tiny panthers. They are the ones that have the hardest time finding a good home.
I admit that the reasons people dislike or hate cats on principle are valid to them. I have seen it time and again. But I find it sad that there are many people who would love to have cats cannot, due to allergies.
Admittedly, I am biased towards cats as pets. And when I die, I want to come back as my own cat. Silly and nonsensical, but you know. People are not always practical and down to earth when they fantasize about anything.
I hope that this article gives you something to think about and that you enjoyed it.
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