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It is amazing to me how heated up people get when they talk about which animal is better: cats or dogs? You think I’m joking? The debate can get as heated in the same way a sports fanatic can be for their favorite team. Let me say for the record, just because the name of my blog has cats high-lighted, I love dogs. I was raised with both and I received different blessings from both. I’ve only been without a dog for the last couple of years because they really need the attention and energy that I just can’t give them right now. I won’t discuss other domestic pets as that would detract from my main focus.
Let’s talk about the stereo-type of a “cat-person”. A cat person some articles point out are discriminating, creative, introverted and also are more neurotic. “Dog-people” tend to be loyal, outgoing, care-free and needy. What do you think? But, can we love them both equally. Not according to some expert opinions, which I don’t know if I agree with or not. They say the animal you were brought up with and bonded with the most is your preferred animal. I know that I DO tend to be more like a cat. I’m very intense and independent, I would rather have a few close friends than a large number of casual acquaintances and I can get obsessive about cleanliness.Qualities of the felines?
Spiritually, I consider the Egyptian Goddess Bastet (half-woman and half-cat) one of my “patron” deities. My friend Lyn over at “Witch Blog” also has a bond with Bast and said that she used to be a dog person, but now would “quite like a cat” but her husband is allergic to them. Maybe that’s why I’m single, because if a man doesn’t like cats or is allergic to them, too bad..I’ll take my cats. 
My mother told me very early in life two pieces of advise that have stayed with me. 1) People who don’t like cats, were rats in former lives and 2) Never trust a man who doesn’t like cats (being allergic is different). What does that mean “never trust a man who doesn’t like cats?” Well, think about witches. Yes, many dogs are familiars, but cats represent the feminine spirit, they’re tied to the moon and have a mystery about them that is associated with the Great Mother. So the cat archetype would represent a man’s inner-feminine and if he doesn’t honor that aspect then more often than not, he won’t be able to honor a woman. I’m not saying that dogs are only masculine and cats are only feminine, it’s not a black or white situation, there’s shades of gray here.
One of my idols growing up was a certain character named “Selina Kyle” on a television show named “Batman”. Do you know who I’m talking about? Catwoman! The way she slinked around and purred, oh yes, she was a true goddess to me. I even named one of my cats after her, “Sele” which is short for “Selina” but she’s hardly a slinky, sexy kitty, that’s more her sister’s style. I’ll definitely be talking more about “Catwoman” in future posts. She’s quite a fascinating character and how the movies represent her in my opinion is horrible. I think Angelina Jolie would be the perfect Catwoman.
So back to the issue of dogs vs cats, I like to balance my feline qualities with more of the canine qualities. I force myself to go out among people even when I’d rather be a hermit at home with my cats either reading or blogging and I am getting better in persevering and not giving up when it would just be the easy route. I also try to emulate a dog and the care-free attitude associated with them when I’m so wound up over something and I need to just relax and let loose a little. Personally, I like the below image the best and think each species has a gift to offer to people and each other.
So, I’d really love to hear your thoughts and opinions of the race between cats vs dogs. Do you prefer one over the other? And do you consider yourself more “cat-like” or more “dog-like”?
Purrrs to all of you. The video below is fun to watch and talks to both dog people and cat people.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypuR2zTIln0[/youtube]
( Last “Cat Rules” graphic from “Cat Stuff” a great site for cat and dog lovers!)
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Personally I think I am a little of both… although I can always remember having a cat somewhere near to my side since I can recall. I love the individuality of a cat and the manner in which they can fend for themselves. Dogs on the other hand are sometimes too needy…. Guess that sort of answers my question… I probably am more of a cat person myself….
Janie, you and I are a lot alike! We love to have the dogs nearby for their presence but cats rule our heart…Thanks for commenting
I’m a cat person by far, we do have a dog along with lots of animals too.
Love your new blog.
Love Leanne
Oh, what great questions and a great post!
Although we’re without animals right now I’ve had dogs my adult life but I’ve also had 2 cats too. Like you said in your post it’s only hubby being allergic that we dont’ have a cat. I think I’m both cat and dog. Where I’m at in life right now I can’t imagine getting another dog because it’s too much dependence on me (3 kids is enough lol!!). A little kitty cat though…. that’s a different matter!
I’m both dog and cat person… Should I be in conflict with myself?
I have 3 cats and 2 dogs and i love them all equally!
Tink, I think it’s healthy to be a combination of a dog and cat and no reason at all for conflict!
Lyn, maybe someday you’ll get your own kitty. They make some homeopathic medicines for people who are allergic to cats to help them overcome allergies, so maybe someday that might be an option.
Jolean, first, never apologize about the length of a comment. I love long and fun comments like yours. And I’ve known many people who started out as dog people then once they lived with a cat, well…they became a cat person or at least learned to love them. A 14 yr. old kitty! I hope both of my kitties live that long..
I’m definitely a dog person. When I was growing up my family had two different dogs at different times, a Border Collie and a Jack Russell. I’d really love to have a dog again someday, but I can’t really have a pet where I’m living, so it will have to wait for another day, probably when I’m back in Australia in the future.
Although I wasn’t as diligent with walking the dogs as I should have been, I remember that it was a lot of fun. I’d love to have a big dog to take along with me when I go running these days – to get out and do five or ten kilometers a day with a golden retriever or a labrador loping along besides me sounds like it would be awesome!
I love Jack Russel’s, they’re so feisty…hmmm, like their owner? I’ve also had a golden who was really sweet and actually it was my golden that liked my cats the best. But, I also love Labs. all good choices, D.P.!