Aren't we your friends too?

[Logan]

I am fortunate enough to have a pet that fits into each catagory (several in each, as a matter of fact), so I visit all the forums, even if it's just to glance. I go to General too. Sometimes I have more time than others, though.

But I have to say that I understand developing a bit of comradery with the people who have something in common, like all dogs, or all cats, or all rats. So when new babies or some similar "life" event are announced in the Cat section, rather than General, or the Dog or Pet section, I understand that. I'm just late getting the news sometimes! Many times, I feel I miss out by not spending more time in each section and developing those closer relationships. The section that might miss out the most of these types of relationships is the Pet section because there are so many types of pets represented there and also it doesn't seem to have as many posts, but still there are great posts and people there and many of those people have cats or dogs as well.

I just hope this thread will stay on course and that feelings won't be hurt by it. I am equally comfortable in any section on this board, except maybe The Dog House and that's sort of "optional" to me, anyway, so I don't worry about it if I don't go there for days.

Have a great night, friends.

[MariaM]

Well, I have to agree with this part. I did go to the cat side a few times, wanted to reply, but I felt like it was a whole different place there. It just SEEMED like they were all ONE family with eachother.

I'll agree with this.

Originally posted by DogLover9501*SOMETIMES* To me it seems like the cat-side is a bit more friendly, because sometimes it seems on the dog-side that SOME people play favorites, and reply to 'friends' threads or 'favored' dogs and not others,

[carole]

I have to say I am really suprised so many of you feel excluded on the cat side, that is a shame, because I am sure it is not by purpose, and Micki and Kay and all the others, I often see you on the cat site, and personally welcome you all, you all have really interesting and informative things to say, I don't know how we can make you feel more welcome except to say that you truely are.

I cannot comment on the dog site, as I have only ventured over there a couple of times, but when I have been there I have felt no different to here.

YOU ARE ALL WELCOME ON THE CAT SITE AND DON'T FORGET IT.!!!!

[popcornbird]

Originally posted by catnapper
I don't know... to be honest, the cat side feels soooo much better. Tonya is 100% right. I don't visit dog side much, and post less because it "feels" so different. So cliquish (sp?) Nicki's posts get like 5 answers, and they are always the same 5 peope (thank you, you know who you are... it means the world to me that you respond.)

As for the threads in cat general that belong in general, as for baby ones, I know they were in BOTH places because a lot of people never stray from the cat side to even venture into general. They were just announcing a major life event. The cathouse threads were totally not meant to offend anyone! They were meant to be fun!

You know, I visit the dog side too, and I have hardly ever seen threads there that belong elsewhere. Its just on the cat side that I feel like I'm some outsider coming into a board where I don't belong. I do go to the cat side everyday, because I *adore* cats and would love to have one of my own someday, and I love to go there and look at pictures, and reply.

What I'm trying to point out is that the cat people seem like one big family, completely seperate from the rest of the board. While its a wonderful thing that you've all come to love each other so much, I just don't like that the other people on the board should feel like *outsiders*. After knowing each other for years, I think we should all have formed bonds, despite the type of animals we own.

I know the cathouse threads were fun and not meant to offend anyone. I myself enjoyed them, very much, but I felt that is something that should have been posted in General. It was a fun topic, that the dog, rabbit, bird, rodent, reptile, etc. people would have loved to participate in too. Because it was on the cat side, I and many others just felt we couldn't participate.

I remember when Kristen had her back surgery, I almost missed the whole thing because it all took place on the cat side. I felt terrible for not replying to most of the threads for her, but it was because they were on the cat side, and I never noticed them. It just doesn't feel right to not be informed when someone on the board needs prayers. If there truely is something you wanted to post, and you think your cat-loving friends would miss them if posted in General, perhaps you could post a link to the General thread on Cat General, and everyone would find it. That way the cat people could also get used to coming to the General boards and getting to know ALL of us, and Pet Talk would be a much more open, and warm place. I'd like to see the whole board as caring as the Cat side, but sadly, it seems the cat side is now for cat owners only, and that anyone else can't participate in prayers, etc., for a cat person who is a member of the entire Pet Talk, and not only Cat General. I'm not exactly saying we *can't*, but it just *feels* that way. If I come and post on a non-cat related topic in Cat General, I feel like I'm intruding and am not supposed to be there.

[Kfamr]

You know PCB, it's very scary when we have the same exact feelings.

[popcornbird]

Originally posted by Kfamr
You know PCB, it's very scary when we have the same exact feelings.

I know! VERY!!!

LOL!



Maybe it has to do with the dream I saw the other day.......that had YOU in it. Can you believe it?

[heinz57_79]

I noticed it too, but i think it may be kind of unavoidable. Dog people tend to migrate towards other dog people, cat people to cat people, etc. I've noticed a few people saying they tend to post more on the cat side because they get more replies. Personally, I don't tend to get a lot of replies in any side! The thread I posted with the pups and the bubbles has gotten the most hits of anything I've posted, I think. My cat threads get some, but not a lot. Maybe cuz I don't post too often, even tho I do try to comment on most threads. And in Pets... ha! I don't think anyone even realises I have ferrets! I just posted a thread in there today, and compared to the rest of the threads, it has few views and even fewer replies (1!). But it's all good.

I do have to say that folks in Cat tend to stir up less trouble (unless it's about spaying/neutering, etc hehe). There tend to be more threads that turn into arguments in Dog, which can be disheartening.

I do think that the threads about becoming grandmas, or pregnancies, marriages, etc should be in general so we can ALL celebrate with you!

[Amber]

I agree with everything PCB just said.

[slick]

Just my 25 cents worth again:

I have NEVER felt unwelcomed in the Dog or Pet side and I feel the same way about everyone on Pet Talk.......

I Wuv You!!!!!

OK, it's been a stressful week......I'll shut up for now.

PCB: In September I'm going to birdie-sit and I'll make sure I get some pictures for you.

[zippy-kat]

And the ironic part of this thread? The majority of the people you are probably addressing this to, won't notice it because it's not on the cat side!


(For the record, I have no problems with people posting "life events" wherever the majority of their friends will see it. If the post-er never strays outside of one board, it only makes sense for him/her to post in the general section of that particular board.)

[dukedogsmom]

Too funny zippy-cat! Probably true, too. I agree with Catnapper and Doglover on posting pics. I try to acknowlege every entry there, especially when I'm at work because we have lots of down time. Now granted, I can't do it every day. That would be a full time job It hurts to see some entries get so many replies and then others not a lot at all. It's kind of like our dogs being rejected and that's what hurts so much. I know this is off topic but since it was mentioned several times, I had to make a note of it.

I very rarely get over to the cat side. I generally stay in dog general or general or the dog house. I haven't felt unwelcome there but then I've just been posting to other's entries. I do wish more people would visit the general section, though. They miss a lot of things by not coming here.

Ok. I feel a little bit better now, getting that out in the open.

[Pam]

Well when I come to Pet Talk I go to View Today's Active Threads. I very, very rarely go to a specific forum (maybe visit Dog Health or Cat Health if there is a sick little furry one ailing and I want to check on them) or if I start a thread I try to put it in the appropriate forum.

By only visiting View Today's Active Topics I get quite a mix to choose from as Dog, Cat and Pet are all there, just a bit jumbled together. I find it makes it easier for me and saves time to do it this way, however I know I miss some good threads probably because they get pushed down, but there are only 24 hrs. in the day anyway!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Originally posted by zippy-kat
And the ironic part of this thread? The majority of the people you are probably addressing this to, won't notice it because it's not on the cat side!


(For the record, I have no problems with people posting "life events" wherever the majority of their friends will see it. If the post-er never strays outside of one board, it only makes sense for him/her to post in the general section of that particular board.)

I totally agree.

When I first joined, I didn't even know that there was a general section until after several months. A lot of the cat people never or hardly ever go to general so they feel more comfortable with posting their general news in the cat general section. I don't have a problem with this since I spend a lot of time on the cat side. If I owned other pets then I'd spend more time in the other sections too.

People just tend to go to the sections that pertain to them and where they feel the most comfortable. I know that sometimes my threads in cat general don't receive many hits or responses either but I don't let that get me down. I know that my furkids are loved here.

Popcornbird, maybe you should put this thread in cat general so others can comment on it.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Even tho I have 7 cats I don't post too often in cat general. I start with dog general, then usually skip cat general, and go to pet general, and then to general. I do sometimes go to the cat side, but don't usually post. I am a cat person, but I still don't feel too comfortable there.

[Cataholic]

What an interesting thread, Poppie. I don't know that I have ever thought about it, but, now that you mention it, I see what you mean. I guess I am a 'cat person', though those of you that really know me, know that isn't totally accurate. I do feel more comfortable on the cat side. I feel like I really know those people well. I feel welcome there, and go there first every time I log on. I don't want to say that I like the cat side 'better', but, for me, it is an easier place to hang out. There seems to be less 'clutter' in cat general. And, when time is at a premium, less clutter means greater readability, greater access to more threads.

Being an outsider has two components. Certainly, one component is being made to feel like an outsider. But, equally present is the component of feeling like an outsider without outside interference. Nothing anyone of us can do changes the latter. As to the former, I don't see it as an issue on the catside. I do know what kay is referring to, and the heat she underwent with the adoption of a kitty. But, I think that tends to happen in the dog section, too. Maybe it is a matter of perspective. I have never felt unwelcome in the cat general section.

I don't think we can 'legislate' this sort of thing. People will post where they feel most comfortable. For me, Cat General is where I go for my news....not General.

I think we had a topic like this some time ago...I think it was more along the lines of "are cat people like x,y,z ; and are dog people like a.b,c". If I remember correctly people took offense at the dichotomy. But, like all generalizations, there is some kernal of truth. I think, generally, cat people are more introverted, while dog people are more extroverted. (I said in general, people, in general terms). So, maybe that is why the catties stay more among their own then the doggies?