The Truth About Cats & Dogs

10Jun/1010

The Truth About Cats & Dogs

I've been pretty down lately. I know, big surprise. My dog knows when I'm depressed; he usually does something funny to make me laugh or he'll just lie down next to me and put his little head on my leg or hand. He looks at me (I use that term loosely; since he's blind he doesn't really "look" at anything anymore) with an expression that just says, "I dunno what's the matter, but I'm here."

Anyway, the other night I was really depressed and something interesting happened. My dog was already snoring away and the cat jumped up on the bed. This cat in particular is...well, he's gorgeous. Soft and silky and beautiful and he knows it. So I was sitting there, feeling like crap, and ToPu starts rubbing his head against my hand, demanding to be petted. So I petted him. After rubbing his belly for about five minutes, I thought, "Wait. What just happened here? You don't love me, you just wanted belly rubs!" But I did realize that by demanding my attention and making me focus on him, he did distract me from my own problems and actually made me feel better. I chuckled to myself, thinking that was pretty clever on his part and that only an animal could pull that off. If a person had done that, I'd be pretty pissed.

And that's when I realized the difference between cat people and dog people. I love and have cats and dogs; if someone asked me if I were a "cat person" or a "dog person" I wouldn't have an answer. But as I thought about it, when my friends are sad, I do one of two things: I try to make them laugh or (well, this usually comes after trying to make them laugh fails miserably) I just tell them I'm here, to listen if/when they need listened to, to give them support.

So of course I thought of those "cat people" I know. These people prefer cats over dogs and sure enough, when I start talking about my problems, they interrupt to talk about theirs. They do the "one-up your problem" game. What I'm going through is insignificant because, geez, I should be grateful my situation is so simple compared to theirs!

However, I feel I should confess I kept taking breaks writing this post to pet ToPu's belly.

Falahime

Falahime Blah blah blah, Wyoming, blah blah, massage therapist, details cars, used to sell beer, blah blah, hunts big game. That’s about all there is to me; I’m pretty simple.

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Joe
June 10th, 2010 - 23:33

Dude, I don’t want you to rub my belly. Nor to I want to put my head on your knee.

But I think I know what you mean and I would just assume distract you from being morose.

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Dustin
June 11th, 2010 - 02:45

Empathy really is the defining characteristic of a good dog, in my opinion.

A lot of dog people wind up with cats that they do care about, I think because cats are less work and people are busy. And while cats may provide companionship, there’s no substitute for something meaningfully caring that you’re well.

Oh, and toxoplasmosis. Case Closed.

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Dan Collins
June 11th, 2010 - 05:07

I’m sorry you’ve been down. It’s true: cats are cheeky monkeys.

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Bob Reed
June 11th, 2010 - 07:30

Fascinating insight Falahime!

It’s almost like a behavioral Kung-Fu regimen or something similar; people adopting animal styles of behavior instead of movement…

I’ll have to keep the ol’ antennae up and look for these traits in the people I know.

Sorry you’ve been feeling down, and I hope that a lovely day comes your way to chase away those *BLAH!* feelings.

All the best.

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guinsPen
June 11th, 2010 - 08:37

I’m a cat person, mys*urrrrrp*

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Meep
June 11th, 2010 - 10:10

I’m definitely a dog person.

Though I love looking at pictures and videos of cats. [I'm very very allergic to cats]

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enoch_root
June 11th, 2010 - 10:42

Falahime – hang in there. I know it sounds lame to say it. But do know that this is normal. A certain something about being human. And also, if it is the deep blues you are in, do not hesitate to get some shrink to put you on meds. Most everyone I know is a little “touched” in some manner, whether OCD, Anxiety, Depression, etc. And the good news is that most of them embrace their particular flavor of madness. These make good people. We are all works in progress. And some of us burn a little hotter than others. I would guess, speculate, that with you it is a matter of putting a jet engine under the hood of a Ford Escort. The two are not entirely compatible. And so, on this long Pilgrim’s Road of life, we can expect the car to shake from time to time… if not worse… what with hubcaps flying this way and that, dings, cracked windshields, flat tires. You get the picture. In many cases, talking about it can help. In other cases, as in mine, it is a matter of brain chemistry… and no manner of discussing this or that has any impact. So, I am stuck with accepting that I have a certain glitch – that no amount of counseling can ever “cure” – that leaves me with pharma land. And thank God people like me have this option these days. I can’t imagine – actually I can – what it was like back in the day… when people like me just waited, begged, pleaded, and prayed for the rain to stop.

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The Sanity Inspector
June 11th, 2010 - 16:42

Hope you cycle back up soon. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other until you do; you know the drill.

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hilarious dog in boots
August 14th, 2010 - 22:54

Hei, these dogs are humorous! You really should take a visit! Click the link: Funny Dogs

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crazy dog big bang
August 15th, 2010 - 01:05

You must take a look at these dogs! They’re interesting! Click the link: Funny Dog

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