I have shared my living space with 8 cats. over the last 20 years. 3 still with me now.
I find them to be great, loving and low maintenance pets. I have never had a dog…am I missing something?
Dogs seem like hard work and picking up poo in public is not something I feel the need to do.
Dogs for me – 2 Jack Russell Terriers whinging and barking at everything that moves.
(It was 3 until early December 24 – gone but not forgotten)
I grew up with cats and it will always be cats for me. I love their beauty and character, and prefer their self reliance to the neediness of dogs. I like dogs, but I wouldn’t want one in the house.
Meet Bear. Yesterday evening she found a new place to sit, but she might have to change her mind come winter.
Is she a Bombay? Our neighbours have one, and she is the most delightful friendly little thing.
Just a black moggy. We inherited her when the Light had mouse trouble at the same time a friend’s daughter had to move back home and re-home Bear as a result. I wouldn’t go so far as to call her friendly. She likes to be in the same room as us but doesn’t do laps, and only attracts our attention if she was wants to be fed or let out.
Cats. Relatively low maintenance and they do their business in your neighbours’ gardens.
Dogs 2 – Cats 3
Cats progress to the next round where they will meet either Guinea Pigs or Rabbits
Depends on whether I fancy something roasted or grilled
Dogs all the way.
I have my fourth Weimaraner they’re high maintenance, difficult to train but goodness are they a thing of beauty. Few dogs come anywhere near in terms of looks and for all their hang ups they are so loving and so loyal. Strong as an ox they were originally bred to bring down wild boar.
I have a (benign) history with Weimeraners. I used to get a lift to school from a neighbour who had one – s/he and I sat in the back seat of her Mini side by side. I used to put my school cap on its head – how we laughed!
Then my boss at Pan Books, the legendary Sonny Mehta, used to bring his to the office. Circumnavigating this large creature prostrate on the floor was always a bit nervous-making.
Find dogs both, glad they weren’t mine.
*fine dogs both*
Cats here.
Have owned both – although you never own a cat. They really don’t give a shit and just do their own thing. Dogs are much more demanding but for me give back so much more. Very much like children except that dogs do at least appreciate and love you without reservation. Can’t imagine life without a dog now even though on cold rainy days you think ‘surely you don’t want to go for a walk in this?’
Dogs have owners. Cats just have butlers.
Dogs have been permanent fixtures for over 40 years: Casper, whom I got custody of when marriage no. 1 went south. Wife no.2 already had Henry, until her ex had him back. Casper lived to 19. We got Baby and Tiny to replace his presence, and, no, I didn’t choose the names. When Baby died suddenly and unexpectedly, so upset was Tiny that we got Wilma to join his basket. That marriage sank, and Wilma stayed with me. The current Mrs Path already had Millie when she moved in, but Millie died young, at 8. Now we have the 13 year old Wilma and 10 year old Indi, 2 old spinsters who are devoted to each other. And us. Yup, love dogs, but it’s going to be awful in a year or 3, as they are each fast approaching their apparent allotted.
Very happy without either.
Groovy new avatar, @Twang…
Cheers Fitz.
Had a cat for about 18 months. Was not my idea! I never had a pet before apart from a goldfish.
She is pretty lovely though apart from letting us know the litter needs changing by peeing and crapping allover the place. Not her fault I know. I think I have probably learnt a little bit about myself by having an animal sharing our living space. She is a house cat, never goes outside. Just gazes wistfully through the window and don’t tell anybody but I like her a lot.
Never had cats.
Dogs for me. Our dog isn’t needy. She likes a walk, and she loves her meals. Apart from that, she sits on her chairs, except later in the afternoon or evening when she sits on the sofa and snuggles into either one of us.
From 2007 to 2018 we had nine cats, all indoors. Then began the slow attrition; the last one went three weeks ago…they all made to 16-18 years old.
Only ever had cats. Whenever we’ve thought about getting a dog, another waif and/or stray turns up looking for a home (we’ve had cats walk up the driveway and collapse in front of us, they know a soft touch when they see one). We currently have three. The mum, a street cat, moved into our shed to have her first litter, had a second before we could catch her and one survived from each.
Took her about four years to let anyone near her (the kittens were fine). Now she happily sheds about a jumper’s worth of fur all over the house every day and demands food and/or attention with headbutts that would a Millwall supporter wince.
Happy to be without either – there are more than enough dogs in the family, and the mayhem cats wreak on Australian wildlife is appalling.
We had cats for the kids when they were young – and kittens, of course, one of which went to Salman Rushdie’s son. No idea if it was included in the fatwa. The last two died just after my wife did – which prompted my daughter to say, ‘Jesus Dad, you’re having a wholesale clearout.’
Lol at “no idea if it was included in the fatwa” 🙂
Both. Always had cats up until a few months ago when our 18 year old cat got too ill to go on. We have a 12 year old Hairy McClary lookalike dog still. The house feels empty without the cat who was loving and, yet, totally selfish.
Need you ask?! It’s dogs for me. In fact I’ve had dogs over half my life. First a golden retriever for 14 years as a child and then 2 labrardors for a total of 17 years until we lost our black lab last November. Dogs are uncomplicated, loyal and always make me smile. I have nothing against cats but they are not for me.
There were Labradors around my parents’ house for years. I was definitely a dog person, preferably a big dog (ie, a “proper” dog).
However, my late wife preferred cats – since we first got together, we always had at least one cat in the house. So I had to learn to also be a cat person – I think I managed it. The last two were brother and sister: I had to have Mollie put down a few years ago, but Barty and continue to rub along – he’s now 15.
And here’s the boy himself – in repose:
Always used to have both. But cats fail big-time when it comes to wildlife in the garden, so when Mollie – last of a trio – finally croaked at the age of nineteen, we buried her under the Bay tree and have kept to mutts only ever since.
The dogs do sometimes err and worry the fledglings – scuttling through the bamboo as if they are safe – if you fail to intervene, but a couple of stern words usually keeps the woofers from repeat fledgicide.
To answer the question in the OP – Yes, you are missing an awful lot. But if you are not prepared to pick up after your dog, don’t get one, it wouldn’t be fair on your dog or on anyone else in the vicinity. It’s a simple ritual that costs little and keeps you – and your pooch – fair.
3 dogs, Nobby, Angus & Dylan, all springer spaniel/poodle cross, all lunatics. Nobby & Angus are 12 years old and are now showing a few signs of slowing down, Dylan at seven is still referred to as the puppy.
At the vet’s a couple of weeks ago with all three for annual check-up, booster vaccinations, Nobby’s Librella injection, Angus’s anti-inflammatory tablets and flea/tick treatment for all three – almost a grand for a 20 minute visit!
Yoiks!
I grew up with dogs. I was toddling when my parents got their first, and we grew up together. There were two others when I was still at home.
When my partner and I moved in together, she had two absolutely amazing cats. One was the most intelligent cat we’ve ever had, the other the bravest. That cat ruled the neighbourhood, and saw off foxes.
Over the years, we’ve had seven cats, the number in the house at any one time going 2/3/2/1/0/3/2/1/0/1.
Number 7 was our next door neighbour’s, who asked us to have her cat ‘if she died’. We didn’t really want another cat – I’d seen the last one running to his death on the lane. Our neighbour died, and it took us ages to get the cat in to our house. She wasn’t well, but recovered, and within about 10 days had us well-trained to her needs. She spent much of her day ‘working’ with me, on the desk, lap or floor by my feet. Her evenings were spent with us, and until the recent warm weather, she slept on top of me.
She went downhill very rapidly three weeks ago, and we had to have her put to sleep. We think she was 18. She had multiple health issues from the off – arthritis, hearing, sight, and probably some sort of dementia.
We’re devastated.
Sorry to hear that – it’s horrible when they go. Our two lasted 18 years each, and died within a few months of each other a couple of years ago. We still can’t face replacing them yet.
Thanks. There were many years between cats 6 and 7. She very quickly inserted herself into our daily routines. I grieved for all our cats, but I’m surprised how upset I am. She was old, and we knew she wouldn’t be with us for long – nearly three years – but I’ve mourned for her more than I have some people I’ve known.
I too still mourn my passed pets – cats and dogs alike.
I have no religious faith. But if there is an afterlife, and our pets aren’t in it, then I’ll pass.
Dementia isn’t something you think of outside homo sapiens, but certainly seems to be a thing. Our Wilms seems to be showing signs of it, aka “Sundowning”. Of late she has taken to following either one of us around the house, somewhat incessantly and annoyingly. Furthermore, having slept contentedly in the kitchen, with Indi on their shared bed, she has taken to yowling at night, noise akin to a cat. On investigation, she is found to be pacing the room and seeming to look for us. The solution was to wheel the chair from my study/cave into the hall and leave the light on. She now sleeps contentedly there all night, curled up on the chair and snoozing. (Worked out on the basis that the chair is where she heads to during the day, when in need of peace and quiet.)
Ours had a few episodes where she was distinctly vacant. We wondered whether she’d had some sort of stroke, but her mobility was very good up until her death. She had a monthly ‘Solencia’ injection, rather than ‘Loxicom’ for her arthritis, though she often wobbled alarmingly when she got up from sleep.
Cats helping you work is a theme. Our Charlie would jump on the desk, looking for food and then just settle. Keyboard walking and tails appearing in video calls were a speciality.
It’s awful when they get old and fade away. Here is Charlie owning my desk – not even allowing the laptop to be deployed.
Aww. Ours settled her arse on the left hand side of my keyboards, neatly covering – and often triggering actions from – the control, option and command keys and the spacebar.
That metal (?) Subbuteo player you’ve got on your desk is pretty cool…
It’s even more cool when you realise its a bottle opener. It was a present from my somewhat excellent brother in law.
We have 2 Cats and a dog (Yorkie). Was only meant to be one cat, but one morning about 7 years ago my wife looked out the kitchen window and saw a group of Magpies “fighting” over a scrap of black plastic. Turned out to be a wee kitten, presumably from the forest at the back of the garden, hence the second cat.
Reckon we’ll always have a cat, but unlikely to have another dog.
Grew up with both, but dogs all the way.
Their personality really depends on the breed and the individual hound. Current pooch (a Yorkie) is incredibly needy and follows my wife around like a little furry butler. But most of them have been the opposite; pretty happy to do their own thing.
Favourite was the cairn terrier we had during my teens. He was completely wild, misbehaved constantly and had this huge personality about him, right from when he was a pup. When he died unexpectedly during a rather over-zealous round of barking at the postman the entire family dropped what they were doing, came home immediately, went to the pub and told stories about him all night. He was an absolute champ, that one.
I’d love to have a dog, but it isn’t possible because of work.
Over the years, I’ve had four cats. The first came with the flat I bought as his previous owner technically abandoned him. A beautiful Russian Blue who was incredibly loyal – he’d walk me to the shop or bus stop and wait to walk me home. Cats 2 and 3 (both rescues) were two girls who just about tolerated each other, but were great with us.
Our present cat is a tabby called Brian, who is another rescue and completely spoiled. He has been known to purposely knock things over if he doesn’t get his own way.
Brian is a quite brilliant name for a cat.
There’s a reason for the name. The animal shelter is across the road from a cemetery, which on that day just happened to have a huge floral arrangement spelling out the name ‘Brian’. We took it as a (literal) sign, but usually tell people he’s named after Brian Eno.
Fantastic! Good job it wasn’t ‘MUM’?
Three of our cats were characters from the The Archers. One had been named ‘Pixie’. He wasn’t. Our first two – still in passwords, so not plain text – went together like ‘Pavel’ and ‘Chekhov’.
Number 7 was called ‘Scrumps’ by her owner, but never answered to it. I can’t say I blame her. She responded if we made a certain noise.
Pets names were so much simpler in the past. My auntie had 3 cats; a white one called Snowie, a ginger called Ginger and a black one called, well, it wasn’t Blackie.
My first wife’s Granny was not imaginative enough to call her cat anything than Pussy. Which, seeing as she lived next door to famous erstwhile Scottish gangster, Jimmy Boyle, and his prison psychiatrist wife, may have led to some interesting over the fence questions, whenever the moggy went missing.
I love the idea of a cat called Scrumps.
Two big dogs, two small dogs, one very friendly cat, one very unfriendly cat. Four dogs is definitely two too many (wasn’t my idea). The cats are a lot easier, but also a bit boring. Playing with the dogs and letting them pretend bite me is great fun. Try that with the cats and you get all bloody.
This video is very accurate:
Brilliant.
When Alfie barfs on the landing, we just wait five minutes. There will just be a small damp patch.
Dog, dachshund. Now 11, getting crabby and stubborn (like me, so no problem there) but has become very clingy of late. Whines if I leave the room without him, god forbid the house. Still, very fond of the old bugger.
12 year old Jack is going a similar route – I’m sure he’s still mourning the loss of the older one.
As I type this I am being side-eyed by a little brown terrier. She is nineteen now, not too fussed about going for a walk when she could be having a snooze instead, but still lively should a squirrel or pigeon venture into the garden when she’s on duty. Possibly going deaf, as she doesn’t leave the room anymore when I am listening to some dreadful racket, but perhaps she has just developed an appreciation for grindcore. Love her to bits.
Never had any pets other than fish (completely useless pets – just say no!)
Growing up with a hearing-impaired mother who feared stepping on a dog or cat that she couldn’t hear sneaking up on her, she vetoed any pet requests. The requests didn’t come from me – we had neighbours with some quite aggressive pets so I became scared of animals in general.
My older brother had a fish tank, and when a friend offered me one for free some years ago, I unfortunately only remembered the beautiful fish swimming around, but not the reluctance to clean it and the fights when my brother and my dad had to take care of it (always at least a week later than they should have).
I love cats, but I don’t want one. Too much responsibility and work for me. And deep down I’m still a tiny bit afraid of animals! I follow a great cat channel on YouTube, to get my monthly fix of cat content…
Further to my post upthread, anyone with a pet might want to consider putting what would happen to them in a will if they died; specifically, if you live on your own.
Our neighbour left her house to four animal charities, but considered it job done regarding her cat, and made no provision for her. Within a few weeks of catching the cat, we’d spent several hundred pounds, and much more after. We could afford it, but found it ironic that the neighbour hadn’t thought of the cat. We contacted her solicitors regarding the unexpected cost, and received a payment for the immediate expenses from the neighbour’s estate, and another when the house was sold.
I grew up with cats
…but in answer to your question, dogs.
Cats are dogs without all the effort.
That said, Dogs is the best Who song.
Cats all the way. I have never lived with a dog and have never seen the attraction of having one in the house. I have no problem with dogs per se – they actually tend to like me, oddly, but I often get accused of not liking dogs, and my repost is usually along the lines of that I like giraffes but would never want to live with one. My brother and sister in law now have three, including an awful little yappy one (dog, not giraffe) – It would drive me mad.
Is it me, or are there more dogs around now than ever? Every other person seems to have one.
Cats for me though I’ve not had one for years. When we moved here the previous owners had cats and my wife had a very allergic reaction to the cats fur left on the carpets etc.
I used to visit my girlfriend’s parents years ago they had four cats and for the first night in be scratching and my eyes would water. I was allergic to just one of them, that of course was the one that lived longest.
We are moving to a very doggy* area and I said jokingly shall we get a dog. NO!
Going through some old photographs there is a photo of me with a black dog, I have no recollection of this dog.
1971, Led Zeppelin IV…?
I suppose it could have been Churchill’s
My first three cats were named after curry houses in Bradford as you never saw a stray cat in Bradford in the mid-1980s possibly for a good reason.
RIP Shimla Kismet and Manzil.
Our dogs
Brownie and Xena (RIP) in the meadow at my late uncle’s farm a few minutes before we had to take X to the vets that awful one last time in late March. It’s almost as if they’re saying goodbye.
Poor B was so disconsolate (after going out for his pre-bedtime wee, he used to sit in the garden and wait for X to come back) that we had to get a new dog – another springer – a pup we named Django
The pair are now thick as thieves, although B’s ears still prick up if anyone ever mentions X’s name