Cats Versus Dogs

Are you a cat person or a dog person? In the age-old schism of cats versus dogs, there has

always been a debate for both sides. No matter what side is taken there will always be a debate

about which animal is superior.

People choose pets based on a certain kinship they feel with the animal. Now, perhaps cat

lovers are uptight, but they don't choose to claim kinship with a creature whose first act upon

meeting a new member of its own kind is to sniff its behind. There is also the problem of dignity

and discrimination -- as in, dogs have none. Where's the discrimination in an animal so

mindlessly arduous that its overpowering instinct upon seeing someone is to hump his or her leg?

And what's dignified about a creature so mad with joy at your (somewhat predictable) daily

return from work that it is forced to hurl itself at you like a furry cannonball, intent on knocking

you down and likely to induce concussion? In contrast to this slobbering, effusive eagerness, the

calm, independent companionship of a cat will be taken any day. At least when a cat displays the

occasional enthusiasm over your presence in his world, it can be rest assured that hospitalization

is not the most likely result.

People own animals for companionship, not so they have to be responsible for the animal

twenty-four hours a day. Cats, unlike dogs, are independent. Cats do not mind being around so

long as it means being well fed, provided with warmth and comfort, and allowed to do pretty

much what they want to do, including being left alone. Dogs, if permitted, will share their

owner's meal, chair, and bed. They like to be patted and praised and demonstrate their own

affection by slobbering all over their owners after any separation lasting more than fifteen

minutes.

Owning an animal can take up a lot of time. For most people time is of the essence, and

spending