Are cats the pet of choice for intellectual/gifted people?

[Pizzigatto]

Which make better pets?

1. Flying Squirrels with an attitude?
2. Hyperactive Gerbils?
3. Overweight Chinchillas?

Vote Now!!!

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

My opinion:

I have owned dogs and cats. My love for both is deep and totally committed, but also DIFFERENT. My interaction with dogs and cats happens at different emotional and physical levels.

Not to say I prefer one over the other - merely that I connect with them in defferent ways, and thus get different rewards out of the relationship.

BUT you have to agree - the best feeling in the world is turning your key in the front door after a LOOOONG day, and having your best friend rush up to greet you - cat or dog - the thrill is the same!

[rpcathouse]

My opinion is:
To own a PET is a life long deal. The pet will not:
Grow up and move out and start out on a life of it own.
Will not be able to provide food and fresh water.
Will not be able to make choices about its health and treatment.
Will not be able to decide whether to live in the comfort of a home or the unknown of outside.
Will not be able to contol its own life span.

We as pet owners can make these choices for our pets. We care, love, feed, get medical treatment when we think it is needed. We can control if they live indoors only or indoor/outdoor life style.
We make sure they have food and fresh water always.
We make that commitment when we say we have a pet cat or dog or any animal.

As a pet owner, whether rich/poor, intellectual/or not. We do the best we can by our pets. Gifted yes we are, the gift is we have pets as a part of our family and the love and comfort they give us. They ask for nothing, (I do have a couple who will beg at the dinner table), but we do. They except nothing but we do. They want nothing, and we want more and more. We as owners have the best gift of all the animals we love and cherish. But we still want more. They will never ask us for more they make the best of what they have. We have learned and I hope we will keep leatning from our pets. They have alot to teach us.

Ok that is more than my 2 cents worth. I am gifted to have these wonderful creatures in my life and my home. Would not have it any other way. They comfort me, make me laugh and cry. I have lost sleep over them, I have slept because of them. They ease my pain and make it " All better." They have taught me the gift of life and the pain and heart ache of death. I still have many lessons to learn.
I think the pets are the intellectual/gifted ones!

Stella

[lisalee]

It's really hard to generalize. I'm a cat person and also an introvert. My mom's also an introvert and loves dogs. Oh well, I just wanted to say all animals and the people who love them are wonderful people to love and care for them no matter what there personality type may be.

Lisa & Sash
http://pages.ivillage.com/lisalee992 (Sash's website)

[lat192004]

Originally posted by Pizzigatto
Which make better pets?

1. Flying Squirrels with an attitude?
2. Hyperactive Gerbils?
3. Overweight Chinchillas?

Vote Now!!!

LOL I vote for "flying squirrels with an attitude". I can't believe this post is getting so many hits. Instead of a post it should be a catagory. Nothing serious in this post, sort of tonque and cheek humor, although it is intersting to see what folks think. I have heard more than once that the cat is the thinking person pet, so I created a poll to see what poeple think. Thanks to all that voted!!

[trayi52]

Yes, I think anybody that is an animal lover is special in their own way. It shows heart, and I think that is the most important thing. I think my cats have me trained! My dogs love me unconditonally no matter what.

I think I would pick the overweight Chinchilla! LOL!

Willie

[Dan Holder]

Don't know about that. Seems more like how much a person needs to control others. If you act certain ways, the dog will think you're the boss. The cat will think you're insane.

[carole]

I love both cats and dogs, but for me it suits me better to own cats, they are cheaper to look after, and for me I like their independant natures, I Love how they can be snooty when they choose,defiant,and not highly trainable,secretly I think there is a little bit of my personality mixed in there with the cats, maybe thats why I am so attracted to them.

[trayi52]

I think you both have good points, seems like the ones that gets trained when you own a cat is well US! And I must say I am very well trained!

[Kfamr]

People get offended by different things. I found this very offensive, maybe you didn't.

And maybe you didn't because you're a cat owner, and it was a poll in your favor.

[carole]

I respectfully disagree with you kay, I was raised on a farm, so dogs were a big part of my life as a child and teen, just not now, mainly because of the financial side of things, I think sweetheart you just read way too much into this thread, but hey that's ok its your privilige to feel offended.

Just one point Kay, I think its rubbish to say cat owners are intellectual/gifted people, its a generalisation is all, but if you choose to believe that , well its up to you.,

There is a really good way of seeing another persons point of view on any subject so I am told pyschotherapists use it, it has a special name , some kind of therapy, it is to argue the other persons point of view as if it were you, in other words I become the Dog owner, they say it really works.

There are bright and not so bright people in this world,. some own dogs , some cats, but we all share the one thing we are ANIMAL LOVERS , Kay you know this stereotype thing does not describe you or probably anyone you know who owns dogs, so keep that in mind.

[Kfamr]

I know it's not true, it's just a stupid stereotype, but I, and others were offended.

[guster girl]

I have a dog and a cat. (and a rat and hamster) I hate stereotypes, too. I didn't really get offended by the thread, though, just because it's a stereotype that's been around for a long time. it's funny to me, because when a cat person tells me that cat people are more intelligent than dog people, they're just disproving their point, IMO. I think it's amusing. People are going to think how they want to think, though. I know some people who own dogs because they really do like to control another. But, I know people who are control freaks and own cats, as well. My cat runs down the stairs and greets me at the door, but, still looks at me like I'm from Mars when I tell him not to sit his butt on my plate of food. Finn, my dog, will pretty much do what I ask him to, with training. But, his controllability has nothing to do with why I chose him as a companion. I honestly just love all animals, and, would have one of every kind if I could afford it. And, all for different reasons. I guess I'm multi-faceted, and, super happy that I don't fit into any stereotype. And, just to point out, I don't think anyone is being over sensitive. If it bothers you, it bothers you. And, I also don't think anyone was being hateful or over the top or hostile. It seems to me that anytime someone goes against what the popular opinion is (even if it is said with a bit of a 'tude), people freak out and call them hostile or tell them to chill. I think it all makes for interesting reading and nothing more. Anyway.....all pets rule.

[carole]

Well Kay as I said its your privilige to feel offended or not, I know we all take things differently, I just wanted to point out to you I was not being biased, because I have been a dog owner, not just a cat lady.

I am sure those who offended you, certainly did not mean to,I think this thread was not intentionally started to offend anyone, I think it was a tongue in cheek kinda thread, its a pity you feel so strongly about it,as i am sure the thread starter would feel awful to know you feel this way.

[guster girl]

I don't think it's a pity to feel strongly about anything.