Having lived with Ray (my first dog) for just over 18 months now, and after having had 5 cats as pets over the course of many years (Tim-Tim, Skeeta, Friday, Scooter & Robinson), I guess it was inevitable that I would start to draw comparisons. I have often heard both cat and dog owners aggressively defending their particular choice of pet so, while not wishing to start a war of words, here goes!
Ease of man-handling
- Tim-Tim, Skeeta, Friday and Robinson: Questionable unless they felt so inclined.
- Scooter: Only a brave man would try.
- Ray: At 75lbs, awkward, and if he is not happy …………… hope you have medical insurance!
Lap cuddles
- Tim-Tim Skeeta and Friday: Totally fine with the idea.
- Robinson: Maybe.
- Scooter: Not a chance!
- Ray: Absolutely, but if you are watching something on TV, you may as well forget it because if you can even see around him, he will probably step on (and subsequently hide) the tv remote when climbing up!
Enjoys impromptu touching & stroking (without food incentive)
- Skeeta & Friday: Good
- Tim-Tim & Robinson: Questionable. It had to be on their terms.
- Scooter: Don’t even think about it!
- Ray: Absolutely. Usually encourages it.
Indoor toilet habits
- Tim-Tim, Skeeta, Friday & Robinson: Exceptionally clean.
- Scooter: Total rebel.
- Ray: You’ve got to be kidding! Indoor?
Outdoor toilet habits
- Tim-Tim, Skeeta, Friday & Robinson: Difficult because they insisted on covering up the evidence.
- Scooter: OK
- Ray: Perfect. When he has finished, if you can’t find it, he’ll show you where it is!
Ability to communicate
- Tim-Tim, Skeeta, Friday & Robinson: Exceptional if they wanted food. Poor otherwise.
- Scooter: Had real “attitude” which he conveyed exceptionally well.
- Ray: Has to win on this one. He communicates better than some people I have known!
Smarts!
- I have to generalize here because apparently the dog is the only animal that, if you point to something, will look at where you are pointing. Other animals will simply look at your pointing finger. Ray has to win this one.
Adjustment to family life
- Tim-Tim, Skeeta, Friday & Robinson: Very good. They blended in well and were generally happy just doing their own thing.
- Scooter: Made it quite clear that he was at war with the whole world and would tolerate us until the war was over!
- Ray: Wanted to contribute from the day he walked through our front door. He is always near us; will happily supervise whatever we are doing (especially in the kitchen); will vocalize disapproval as necessary; will clean the kitchen floor without any prompting; will sit near us and make eye contact such that we have to pet him, and will help out with any digging required in the garden.
In summary, I am quite happily convinced that either a cat or a dog would make an equally good pet. I would suggest that cats win in the situation where you want a very amiable guest in your home. If you want to extend your family however, then it has to be a dog!
A New Direction Perhaps? 
We’ve had both – the dogs are a ton more work!
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Human partners are even more work… but it’s all relative isn’t it! In fact relatives are also a lot of work! 🙂
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The cats win! Dogs are a close second. 🙂
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I prefer my conclusion. It depends on what you are expecting! 🙂
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This is a lovely, fun post. We have recently added a kitten to our household and I must say that Push-Push is certainly a character. My Dad is so attached to her that I am thinking of getting him a baby pouch to carry her around in [naughty giggle].
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Yup………. she is already organizing you guys for her benefit but then, she’s a cat! 🙂
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My son has a cat…who occasionally deigns to notice me, particularly when she requires food or amusement. I have a dog, permanently attached to my heartstrings, my lap and whatever is on my plate…no contest.
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Makes total sense based on my experiences! 🙂
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🙂
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Colin Chappell will be showcasing his book in a promotion next week but in advance of that he has shared one of his older posts in response to today’s laffs about cat vs. dog behaviour.. definitely worth a read… as you will see Scooter is a cat after my own heart.. a rebel with a cause. One for ‘#cat and #dog lovers
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🙂
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You had such quirky cat names 🙂 But well… Ray totally becomes his very classy yet fun name! I like how you mentioned that dogs extend the family!
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Ray’s name was given to him by the Humane Society (named after Ray Charles!). When we adopted him, we wanted to give him a name with the same overall sound (to make it easy for him to adjust)… but eventually decided to simply keep the name Ray! 🙂
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Tim-Tim was named by my parents. Skeeta was already named as such when we adopted her. Friday was of unknown origin and came to us on a Friday. Robinson seemed an obvious match to Friday hence her name (re Robinson Crusoe story). Scooter was (I think) just a variation from Skeeta! 🙂
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Wonderful post! The cats I have now are the nicest ones I’ve ever known. Friendly, loving and gentle lap cats. Your post has inspired me for my next installment of “Vivian’s View From Here.” 🙂 Thanks.
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Loved reading this! Very clever blog topic
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So pleased that you liked it. Ray has been an education in many ways, not the least of which was to enable a cats vs dog comparison!
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What about Brewster bun?
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A cute as he was, Brewster Bun was neither a cat nor a dog and I have never heard anybody trying to argue that rabbits make better pets than cats or dogs. Come to think of it ………….. he was a lot nicer house guest than Scooter!!!!!!!!!!!!
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