www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Confessions of a Cat Convert

Ok - I must admit it. I am a convert. For years, I said I never would leave my fold, but, well, I've gone and done it. I'm out and in.

I like my cat.

I was a dog guy for years. I could tolerate the wet tongues and the bad breath and the whimpering and the dependency on me for everything from pooping and peeing (outside at least) to attention and affection. All because that bundle of energy just exuded affection and fun.

But then Rover killed the family Guinea Pig as a love sacrifice for my wife. He was so proud when he brought Pepper to the door - all limp, wet and bedraggled...and quite deceased. After the kids' screaming stopped, I started to take stock.

Wait a second, why am I the one who has to take this mongrel out everytime he has to pee or poop? And that wet nose - who knows where it's been? Good grief, get that beast some doggie breath mints! And get off my leg!

And then, we got a cat. It sealed poor Rover's fate.

She poops and pees without permission or assistance, and all in one convenient place. She lounges around in sunbeams. She takes great pride in ignoring me, until I can't resist picking her up, scratching and rubbing her neck and face as she purrs in gratitude and delight. And then I set her down, and that's it. No whimpering, no - "Let's do it again! And again! And again! And again!" and my hands don't smell like some sweaty, hairy animal when we're done.

The cat takes it all in stride.

And she plays. Her favorite toy for the past seven months has been the cap to a water bottle that someone dropped on the floor. Now, it's prey. Of course, our finches keep her occupied as well. She has studied the cage for months looking for a solution. We may come back someday from a trip and find one or two are missing. But that's ok. They can always make more. Aren't you a smart kitty! Yesireee...

Of course, there are those occasions when we need to take her in the car with us. We have found drugs to be a helpful remedy. (For her and us.) But apart from the travel issue, I love my cat. Never thought I'd say it, but I'm a cat convert.

And poor Rover is gracing the farmfields of Wisconsin somewhere. Fare thee well...

Rodent killer.

Gordo

I have often had gift left for me by cats. 1/2 a baby rabbit, 1x whole rat bigger than she was. During my recent visit to HRM in the Mojave desert I had many gifts of the night's catch left at my door.

I do like cats, as they are quiet independant. Unfortunately I am allergic to their fur.

Gordo,

Congradulations on your conversion

What's great about cats too: no barking!!!They'll never bother your neighbors.

We've managed to teach our (2) cats the merciful way: when there is an spider or bug in the house, they just make this destentive call and point out where the little critter is and wait for one of us to catch it and throw it out of the house. They are very observant and smart. It's amazing what you can teach them.

One more thing, you never have to worry about a 'cat attack' when going for a walk, like you do a dog.

St. Mary,

Mine just finds the bugs and EATS them!

She's better than a bug zapper!

Gordo

We have had a cat or cats since we got married. Over 45 years now and thank God for the gift they have been as they have shared our lives and us theirs..some briefly..but some have reached the old age of 18 and 19. Got a 17 year old now plus two younger ones soon to be reaching cat middle age.

Just gave one of our lovely feline friends, a Maine Coon Cat, 7, to our son, 40, who is single and recently lost his beloved cat (she was 19) We are moving to the city soon (at last) and must limit our number to three. He says she is content after an initial period of adjustment. We'll get to keep in touch since she is still in the family although he lives in Montana. Our other two adult children have two and three cats. The grand kids are cat enthusiasts too!

Cheers to the cat convert from a genuine cat purrson!!

After ours kept tearing the leggs off crickets, and leaving the bodys on our bed, we had to teach him new habits.

Although we appriciate kitty's idea of 'breakfast in bed', it's just not 'choice' cuisine to me.

Dear Gordo,

What sad news. I will prayer for you in the hope that you abandon this heresy! :p

Never! I am forever a committed Roamin' Cat-olic!

I still like puppies, though. As long as they are somebody else's.

Gordo

I'm definitely not a convert, but that's because I can't ever remember a time in my life when I didn't love cats. I don't hate dogs, in fact I'm pretty fond of Old English Bull Dogs and St Bernard's, but between the two, cats win hands down. I guess I just have more respect for an animal that can make me do his bidding. As that very appropriate joke goes. The dog says of the humans he lives with, "They feed me, they groom me, they give me a warm place to sleep, They must be gods". to which the cat replies "The people I live with, feed me, groom me, and give me a warm place to sleep, they must think I'm a god".

Gordo, you've finally seen the light!Your willingness to sacrifice the finches to the cat is a sign of true love.
My cats have never brought gifts to me, but if they did,I'd have to encourage them to leave the gifts in a corner of the yard, thank you very much.
Porter, for your cats to live such a long time they must truly be loved. After a certain age they live on love. That propels them past aches, pains, etc. just so they can wake up another day and bask in affection.there's no doubt you and your family are the "cat's meow."

Indigo

ps tee hee. I couldn't resist that one,I couln't!

LOL! LOL! LOL!

Alice, in agreement!

One of my sisters (a cat person) has a bumper sticker that says:

Heresy - likely; funny � I�ve always found it so.


~Isaac

I believe it was Edith Wharton who said, "cats are snakes with hair." In any event, since the pomeranian died in 1993 at the age of 18, I have had no animals. My allergies have improved so much since then, I would never get another one. But as I well know, it's really easy to get attached to them. Losing them is almost like losing family.

Me too, Gordo!

Dear Friends,

I've been invited to come and cuddle my little kittens that I socialized over the summer!

I said I'd be there this afternoon "fur-sure!"

Alex