Anyone read the hidden cat thread and think...

I agree - crap like that freaks me out! LOL I know where my dog is at all times.

I am not a cat person but I am friendly with cats. I talk to them at friends' houses. I tell them who i am and that I am not there to scare them. Then the befriend me. The cat the roommate and I had was the funniest cat. She was cute and she was the roommate's bestie but the cat liked me better. Don't ask me why. The cat wanted to be my friend more than the roommate's. We both loved that cat. She was just the most interesting animal I had ever owned to that point.

Now I love my dogs. But cats are interesting creatures. At least the ones that befriend me!

The thing I love most about cats is their sense of independence. Also, dogs will love on pretty much anybody. Very little discrimination. But to be loved on by a cat? THAT is when you know you are special.

L

I am soooo not a cat person! I read the other thread about where cats hide, and I had no idea they did that! I always thought they were sneaky and aloof, and I really don't like the fact that they get up on counters and tables - kind of grosses me out.

I have both. Never thought I was a dog person until we got our rescue. I have never had someone so excited for me to walk through the door. Sure, cats will greet you and might allow you to pet them, but dogs lose their shit over you. Best feeling ever!

I also think cats climbing up on counters and tables is disgusting. I do not allow my cats to do that. When they were young and still being trained, I would bleach down the table or counter they jumped up on. 

I love my cats dearly, but they are still animals and have germs. Dh won't even let me clean the litterbox because of the risk of toxins to my poor immune system.

I have found my cats hiding in weird places, but it was always a reaction to a very stressful ordeal for them. 

I agree that earning the love of a cat is the start of a great friendship. All of our cats chose us. Even though they are supposed to be aloof and independent, they crave our attention and love. They stick to my side all day and cling to my dh when he comes home at night. I don't like my feet being pinned down, so the cats rarely sleep on the bottom of my side of the bed. They do sprawl themselves out over dh. 

The cats also know when we're sick and take a nap as opposed to just taking a nap because we're tired. They're amazing animals and companions. 

I like to think of cat ownership as a challenge.  You think you have the little creatures figured out, and they find a way to surprise you.  It keeps me on my toes.

You haven't really lived until you've had to extricate your cat from the lining beneath your couch or plucked him from the top of your curtain rod.

Yes, it's quite true that we always know where our dogs are. At least in this house we do. And that's because she is always right under my feet, or a few feet away so that she can see me. If I dare to close the bathroom door on her she lies down right up against the door in case I might be able to sneak out and past her without her knowing. lol. So, never a problem with "where's the dog?"

eta: I love cats too. But dd is allergic.

I grew up with dogs and never understood or liked cats until I took in my dad's after he passed away. In the beginning, he hid on a book shelf and only came out at night. Gradually he began venturing out while we were home, and eventually came close enough to us that we were able to pet him a bit. After many weeks of that, he started to gingerly, tentatively step on my lap for a moment or two, each day staying a little longer. The day he crawled into my lap and fell asleep, he won my heart. After that, every morning he would cuddle with me and purr loudly. I felt like I had won the lottery when I finally gained his trust.

That little boy lived with us for 7 years and died when he was 20 years old. He took my heart with him when he passed and forever taught me to love cats. Eventually I got another kitty to be a pal to my dog. They're best buds to each other and to us.

The rewards of having a cat in your life are very different than those of a dog. They're not for everyone, but for me, oh so worth it once they take you into their hearts.

We adopted our neighbours cat when it became apparent they weren't caring for him properly. Poor little mite was out in all weathers, thin and his coat was just nasty (greasy, coming out in clumps), he hadn't been wormed and was constantly scratching. My husband is not a cat person and would not entertain the thought of one in the house, however this little stray totally won him over by head butting his way on to his lap and snuggling down to sleep. He still won't admit to liking him but seeing the two of them together just melts my heart

You just brought tears to my eyes.  We just put down our "won the lottery" cat last week.  She was a feral who hid in our house for two years before she trusted us enough to enter the same room we were in.  When she eventually (even more years later) would come and sit/sleep with me, I thought it was the best thing in the world.  I miss her like crazy.

I have the best of both worlds - cats who are independent and a dog who is never more than two feet from me.  I love them equally.  

Cats have very individual personalities, but are also a product of their environment. As a life-long cat lover, I can attest that no two of my cats have ever behaved the same...and none have been sneaky hiders either. I provide a loving and entertaining environment, including toys, a cat tower, sunroom, etc. and they are entertained while I'm not home. When I walk in the door, I'm greeted enthusiastically...and obviously for love, not food. I had trouble with my newest boy and the counter/island....but I just knocked him off (and cleaned it before every use!) and would NOT pet him if he got up there, only if he came UP TO ME on the floor...and eventually he learned that he wouldn't get food or good attention if he got up there. He no longer gets up there, but just in case...I still clean the counter before prepping food! Momma didn't raise no fool!