I can relate to your mom not liking the mess with canned food. My first kitty lived for 15 years on nothing but dry food. The kitty I have now was started on canned food, so by the time we got him, he was used to having his canned portion twice a day along with the dry that's always available. I know I am wreaking havoc on the environment, but I bought small coated paper plates and plastic forks, so when I feed the cat I can just throw all that out and not have to be soaking dried, crusty cat food off of my dishes. Maybe your mom wouldn't mind the mess as much then. My cat is just so darn skinny that I hate to wean him off the canned - I'm glad when he's eating ANYTHING.

David, I must compliment you on your fine use of the English language - it's refreshing to see a young person posting as thoughtfully and clearly as you do. You obviously were paying attention during your English classes!