Equal Opportunity Pet Owner

You've got your self-proclaimed "cat people" and your self-proclaimed "dog people".  I like to think of myself as an equal opportunity pet owner, giving equal love to all my species, and being just simply, an "animal person".  I enjoy the company of dogs and cats for different reasons.  Sometimes I love it that Pete and Rigby (dogs) are needy and up in my face, but other times it's completely annoying.  I love that Spencer (cat) lays on my lap all night because he wants to, and not because I've called him over to me and he obeys. I love that I never get any privacy in the bathroom because Fergie (cat) just loves to tag along because she knows that's her designated belly rub time.  Cats and dogs are very different and I don't think I could imagine life without either one.  Statistics show that there are more cats living as pets in the United States, but more dog owners.  This means more people have multiple cats in one household, versus just owning one dog per household.  Makes sense to me as cats are much more low maintenance!  I got these statistics from The Humane Society.org's website, and I thought they were interesting:

Dogs:

• There are approximately 78.2 million owned dogs in the United States
• Thirty-nine percent of U.S. households own at least one dog
• Most owners (60 percent) own one dog
• Twenty-eight percent of owners own two dogs
• Twelve percent of owners own three or more dogs
• On average, owners have almost two dogs (1.69 percent)
• The proportion of male to female dogs is even
• Twenty-one percent of owned dogs were adopted from an animal shelter
• On average, dog owners spent $248 on veterinary visits (vaccine, well visits) annually
• Seventy-eight percent of owned dogs are spayed or neutered

Cats:

• There are approximately 86.4 million owned cats in the United States
• Thirty-three percent of U.S. households own at least one cat
• Fifty-two percent of owners own more than one cat
• On average, owners have two cats (2.2)
• More female cats are owned than male cats (80 percent vs. 65 percent respectively)
• Twenty-one percent of owned cats were adopted from an animal shelter
• Cat owners spent an average of $219 on routine veterinary visits
• Eighty-eight percent of owned cats are spayed or neutered

Pets offer so many benefits to us and enrich our lives.  Yeah, they can be a pain in the rear when it comes to pet hair, boarding costs, the occasional "mistake" in the house.  But what we yield in return is priceless!  Lower blood pressure, exposure at a young age actually reduces allergies, and unconditional love!  

Our Brood

 I like to link to this once a year, just in case someone has missed it.  This Dog vs. Cat Diary has been around for years, but it still makes me laugh every time I read it.  

 The Dog's Diary

•   8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
•   9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
•   9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing! 
• 10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
• 12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
•   1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
•   3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
•   5:00 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing!
•   7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
•   8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
• 11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

The Cat's Diary

Day 983 of My Captivity

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now ...