Somebody once said that you're either a cat or a dog person. By this they meant that you were either a lone wolf or gregarious (social/ pack) animal. I wondered if most of us fell into the first category and if this was a distinguishing chracteristic that set us apart from 'normal' people in all cases or only most?
If I can have one of each that get along, then both for me.
Well said, energeia. One of the moron psychiatrists who diagnosed me with everything but Asperger's Syndrome tried to relate my behaviours to those of solitary, predatory animals. Solitary and predatory I may be a lot of the time, but animalistic I am not.
I prefer cats. I love dogs, but wouldn't want one as a pet. Too much trouble. It seems like people are in love with their dogs here (Madrid), so it's nice to see them out and about.
I am allergic to dog fur so I couldnt have one even if I wanted.
ummmm there is a lot of information about being allergic to dogs on the web. My partner did not want to get a dog initially because he thought he was allergic to ALL dogs.
It may be that you are allergic to the dander (google it if you are interested), in which case there are dogs that shed less dander. My partner would have strong hayfever-like symptoms (he does get hayfever) when in contact with certain breeds of dog (I have witnessed this) eg Spaniels and Border Collies
We were both a bit anxious about getting a dog because of the implications for the dog/us if it didn't work out. I spent many hours on the internet doing the research.(no big deal I was really interested in it
And now it is quite a sight to see partner and dog snuggled on the couch together. His family can't believe it.
It might be different for you but I thought I would share this information.
I am a dog lover. My dog allows me to go to all the 'lonely' places my mother STILL warns me about.(sigh) I can go and stim in the woods in relative privacy. I can touch the lichen and moss, I can feel the seasons, smell all the lovely smells. My dog keeps me company and I enjoy her enjoyment. We can play with spinny things to our hearts content.
If I come across someone else and I am in the mood we can talk about the dogs.(safe, predictable conversation about a deep interest) If I am not in the mood they can be avoided. The walk is part of my routine. The people I see in the woods are almost all dog owners. if not they are nature type people. Gentler type people. sometimes there are exercise type people. Its worked ok so far.
Today I was in the woods thinking about my continuing failure to gain a diagnostic assessment, the latest letter from the psychologist I am yet to see, AFF (yes you are in my thoughts) and many many other things. When I arrived in the woods, my eyes were leaking tears (of frustration) when I left the woods, they were not.
Added bonus - she stops the cats next door from pooing in my garden
:grin:
I'm probably a cat person, I've never had a dog.
Well, I love cats and only cats. No dogs for me.
I love cats.
I collect things shaped as cats or things with cats on them.
One of my sisters got me this little box thing with "Who needs therapy, I've got a dog!" on the lid :smile:
I neither have nor want pets of my own, but I love other people's pets & while I love both cats & dogs, I slightly favor dogs! Maybe it's because they so love to be loved (at least the ones I know), which is great for me because I can lavish upon them all the affection I don't feel comfortable showing anyone else. I am generally not a hugger and I don't kiss any human being on the planet, bleccchhh! (can't remember how many years it's been) but I LOVE to hug & kiss DOGS. Their love is pure & genuine. I hope no cat people will be offended when I say that one of my favorite cats ever, a big orange tabby who moved away with my former landlady, is so friendly that he's like a dog! :grin:
But i'm an animal person... not just a dog, cat or bird person!
does this make sense?
Yes! I love dogs, cats, guinea pigs, koalas, giraffes, cardinals, owls, those cute "fainting goats," and so many others; I love fur and bright button eyes and sweet songs. (I was a bird-watcher as a child and am getting interested again, esp. in learning to identify them by song.) I may also have met the perfect "cat person" dog: she's a beautiful black German shepherd who belongs to my friend's tenant, she sits as quietly as a statue when she is in their truck, and she does not jump or slobber on people...when she wants attention, she just comes over to you & puts one paw on you. Nice & low-key! 
That's really cool. Whenever we're petting my dog she does that, but she's nothing aproaching low-key! She had some psych issues, though, because she was taken away from her mother too soon. I used to wear this hooded sweatshirt with a drawstring, and she would always try to suckle from it, poor girl
That's really cool. Whenever we're petting my dog she does that, but she's nothing aproaching low-key! She had some psych issues, though, because she was taken away from her mother too soon. I used to wear this hooded sweatshirt with a drawstring, and she would always try to suckle from it, poor girl
Is she a golden retriever? Goldens are wonderful!
Yes and yes :grin: All the dogs I've ever owned were goldens, my first was given to me Christmas the year I turned one--we shared everything, chewtoys, water, everything. We were puppies together :grin:
I like cats (we have one at home), but I am more of a dog person. Dogs are friendly and they love you unconditionally. They will always pay attention to you if you pay attention to them. The problem with cats is that they will pay attention to you only if they feel like it.