Friday, April 02, 2004
The Truth about Cats and Dogs
"You can't be a cat and dog person, you have to choose!"
I found myself muttering incoherently about animals in general in response; about having a cat and a dog; about cats having bizarre and quirky mini-personalities which made them entertaining to watch.
Sheer irony that six years later I found myself blurting precisely the same words, in the same tone of voice.
Over the years I have found the answer to that question. My dog was always there, unconditionally, to love me. He was always happy to see me, to the point of insane ecstasy. He loved to play with me; in a sense I had the feeling that he wanted to get to know me better. In this world of strangers - no matter how intimate they might become, or pretend to be - the grim reality is we are alone. Most of us. Till we die - even if we die in someone's arms.
I never felt alone with my dog.
With my cat, she'd patiently hear me out, while I cradled her in my arms till she decided to find something more interesting to do. Then suddenly twelve tiny (and sometimes not so tiny) pinpricks in my forearms would signify the end of the consultation. Or else she'd just stand up and leave without a look back. She was funny, and interesting to watch.
But at the end of the day, dogs are for life. I choose dogs.
I knew all this at the time You asked; I guess it takes time for us to know ourselves well enough to verbalise our thoughts. Or perhaps it was a cheap excuse to win female favour. lol.
"You can't be a cat and dog person, you have to choose!"
I found myself muttering incoherently about animals in general in response; about having a cat and a dog; about cats having bizarre and quirky mini-personalities which made them entertaining to watch.
Sheer irony that six years later I found myself blurting precisely the same words, in the same tone of voice.
Over the years I have found the answer to that question. My dog was always there, unconditionally, to love me. He was always happy to see me, to the point of insane ecstasy. He loved to play with me; in a sense I had the feeling that he wanted to get to know me better. In this world of strangers - no matter how intimate they might become, or pretend to be - the grim reality is we are alone. Most of us. Till we die - even if we die in someone's arms.
I never felt alone with my dog.
With my cat, she'd patiently hear me out, while I cradled her in my arms till she decided to find something more interesting to do. Then suddenly twelve tiny (and sometimes not so tiny) pinpricks in my forearms would signify the end of the consultation. Or else she'd just stand up and leave without a look back. She was funny, and interesting to watch.
But at the end of the day, dogs are for life. I choose dogs.
I knew all this at the time You asked; I guess it takes time for us to know ourselves well enough to verbalise our thoughts. Or perhaps it was a cheap excuse to win female favour. lol.
