Comments on: Puppies and Cats, Yay or Nay?

By: Karen in Toledo

Karen in Toledo — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:13:39 +0000

I’m totally a dog person, and have two big Labrador Retrievers. Bill, my fiance, has a cat right now, thanks to College Kid bringing home the cat last year. Now are we working on combining households and have consulted the vet on how to introduce the dogs and cat safely and peacefully.

A first for me: waking up in the middle of the night to find the cat in bed between us, purring loudly. Raven usually ignores me when I stay at Bill’s place.

I think it will be easier for you with a puppy. The cats will put a puppy in its’ place right away.

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:41:35 +0000

I’ve always been a dog person but my current dog absolutely adores all cats (wants to greet every last one of them) and after getting her I decided to get one cat. Just one. Then I found a 3 week abandoned kitten -bottle fed him and he stayed, thinks the dog is his mom (still, even 2 years later). Then a 3 month kitten someone had “rescued” into their 100 degree garage in the summer. And finally, another 3 week old kitten, also bottle fed. I can’t give them up when I bottle feed them. He’s now 4 months old. My dog is great with the cats. They wind around her, jump over her when she’s lying down, try to steal food from her, and go running after one another right past her with no fear. So I’m now a dog and cat person (but we are done, no more adding more cats, and the house is full). Here is a video of the dog when I had only two of the cats: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36001300@N00/2480066764/

By: DPUTiger

DPUTiger — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:37:08 +0000

Dog person. Not even close. Although, ironically, I’ve cohabitated with a cat (belonged to a roommate. I kept my door closed and the cat and I essentially left each other alone) but never a dog. I have always wanted a dog, but I got Hubster instead. He’s quite anti-pet, so I have to make do with being my neighbor’s official puppy-sitter. Sydney (yellow lab, just turned 2) lets me pretend that I’m one of her humans, which makes both of us happy.

By: traceyincincy

traceyincincy — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:26:39 +0000

WHAT !??
I get busy for a few days …and I manage to miss the one subject I am an expert in !?
I have 4 dogs and 3 cats …and sure there is a little mayhem from time to time ….but there is also an overwhelming sense of love that comes from the unconditional loyalty and companionship I receive every day !
yes, having a dog may change your life ….for the better!!!
and as for travel …I am a part time potter ,and I am often out of town for weekends during the summer…I have the best “pet nanny ” in the world !
she takes care of the pack …and keeps an eye on the house !
how about I just start sending you pictures of pups that need a home !?
mwhahahahahahaaha…….evil laughter !!!
xo

By: Ruth

Ruth — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:02:39 +0000

If you do reconsider and decide to get a dog, I highly recommend rat terriers. They are small. They have short hair. They don’t like being cold so when we got ours in Feb. in a freezing cold winter, house training was a breeze! She would go out and piddle in an instant and be ready to come back in. She’s loving and smart and (do I sound like a proud mother) they have few health issues unlike many other breeds. They live a long time, they get along well with cats, the list goes on and on and on and on . . . She even learned not to play with yarn at something like 10 weeks of age and she cuddles next to me while I knit. After we play ball. She’s so much fun. There’s even a rat terrier group on Ravelry.

By: Liz in KY

Liz in KY — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:06:20 +0000

DH grew up a dog person and I grew up with both cats and dogs (and numerous other species too). We now have nine cats and a house rabbit and no dogs. Over time, we’ve learned that we like not having to get up early/stay up late/run home midday to walk the dog. Cats are so much easier in that respect, and even our rabbit is litter-trained and trustworthy if we aren’t home.

We’ve dreamed occasionally about getting a dog, but definitely know we aren’t ready to take one on yet. I get to admire and pet other people’s dogs when at the vet clinic with one of our cats, and that’s enough for now. It’s kind of like having no children and being able to spoil one’s nieces and nephews and then return them to their parents sticky-fingered and high on sugary snacks.

By: Allison

Allison — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:14:17 +0000

I’m more of a dog person. I grew up with dogs and am allergic to cats. I really love all furry animals though, except for the stinky ones. Any time I encounter a cat, I have to pet it and then immediately wash my hands and try not to touch it for the duration of my visit. I wish I wasn’t allergic!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:10:56 +0000

Sheri, I am a cat person who would have a dog if my lifestyle would let me. I’m gone to work from 8:45 until at least 6:30 during the week, and on weekends out and about. It’s not fair to have a dog at this stage. Fortunately, I have a cat who thinks he is a dog, (don’t tell him that, though!) so it’s the best of both worlds!

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:06:26 +0000

We have both and I love our dog and cats. That said, I think I’m more of a cat person.

With the amount of traveling we do to visit family in FL, scout trips and swim meets the dog is kenneled a lot. It gets to be very expensive. We use to have friends watch our dog but he didn’t do well at home alone for an entire weekend.

I hope you had fun in FL!

By: Brianna

Brianna — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:17:45 +0000

I’m most definitely a dog person! We have two standard schnauzer puppies (well, now aged 1 and 2), and they have certainly been a lot of work, but they’ve been so worth it. I feel like you can do a lot with dogs that you can’t do with cats- go running, take them to the park, take them to friends’ houses for play dates, etc.

We really feel like a family with our guys- they’re very engaged with us, they make us laugh all the time, and they’re just the sweetest, friendliest, smartest pups you could ask for.

My husband’s parents had only had cats when he was growing up, and he was a little worried about being a dog person. I reassured him he was probably a dog person who just hadn’t had a dog yet. I was definitely right- he absolutely loves our guys.