Can we play tag - you're it!
I'm just back from visiting with Rayne Today and her "Tank O' Death and I had a few comments. More than would neatly fit in her feedback though I did leave one (take that to heart girl...).
I wish I had this kind of data to back up my basic premise here but I don't.
I think liberals have cats. Soft furry creatures with claws. I think conservatives have dogs. Big nasty mean smelly creatures - the bigger, noisier and meaner the better.
Whoa there! This is not intended to be any kind of a political statement. (Quite frankly I'm tired of politics for this week.) Let's begin by examining the facts. I believe that there is at least a minimal commonality of opinion regarding basics traits of both animals but I'll try and fill in the blanks for the deprived and disconsolate (whether you know it or not) petless-for-life crowd.
Let's begin with dogs. I've had dogs. A dog, by my definition, is an animal that could put its paws on your shoulders and look you straight in the eye. (Yes, I confess that I voted for Nixon). I'm just not a real poodle guy. Remember, this isn't political.
Dogs
Dogs are extraverts. Dogs need to be trained, indoctrinated if you will (but that's a push), before they're admissible in public situations. They have to be taught not to jump up on people. To sit. To stay. To be quiet. Biting around small children a definite no no.
Dogs tend to modify their environment. They dig holes. They burrow under fences. They crap on everything whenever the whim arises. They have to be enclosed. If a dog gets out (read allowed his freedom), he goes off on his own tangent never to return. A dog is a social creature. It must consent and acquiesce to an intractable social hierarchy. His social status within that hierarchy is unalterable except by bellicose though often non-lethal (to dogs' credit) combat. Dogs, also to their credit, like people. They look at you with loving eyes.
Cats
Cat's are introverts. Cats are cool. There is no other literary explication that can define cats with more fidelity. With the exception of African Lions, cats are solitary creatures. They tolerate each other. They tolerate us. They're perfectly and sublimely happy just hangin' out thinking their own thoughts joyfully oblivious of life in general. They don't worry. They're never anxious (except during New Year's or when the doorbell rings) They pretty much do their own thing, thank you and don't want to be bothered kowtowing to any human. Let cats out and they come back albeit with an attitude - something along the lines of "Feed me now! Then scratch me behind my ears."
So where am I going with this? I know you're asking. Well, Rayne, get a small dog, a border collie or a mini-spaniel (I clearly don't know squat about breeds) or a cat. Because cat's are cool. They're good with children. They'll curl up in your lap when you least expect it.
Cats don't need a fence. In fact they're quite contrary to the notion of imprisonment. Cat's are clean. You don't have to bathe cats (in fact I would actively recommend against this attempt).
If you opt for a cat or cats (we thought Yogi would like some company. Thought wrong. See above.) But if you get a cat, get one with personality - one that wants to be your cat. I'll relate the following; an infinite source of entertainment for my wife and I.
I call it tag
The scenario goes something like this: Yogi is lying on the floor in the living room. On her side but with head up aware of her surroundings. Boo Boo creeps up - in stalking mode. Creeps closer and closer to her until he is able, in slow motion, to reach out a paw and actually touch her. That's when things go ballistic. Yogi chases Boo - I mean hardcore - around the house until we finally hear Boo Boo squeal as Yogi pins him and bites his ears. And then the whole process begins again.
Cats are cool.
9:10:08 PM 
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