by Jill

Sadly, it seems has become very popular to hate cats in recent years. This is a shame because under the right circumstances they can be every bit as loveable as dogs. I should know. For many years I counted myself as a “dog person.” The first friend I ever had was an energetic and fiercely loyal border collie named Pepper. We had Pepper for years, and when she was hit by a car my family and I grieved. We swore she was the best dog ever, and that we would never replace her because no dog could ever fill her shoes. Then a few months later, as dog lovers always do, we searched the ads in the paper and found Lady, a beautiful purebred collie. Lady and I were fast friends for many years, and after she passed on we waited several months and got another wonderful pooch. Through all that time there was another pet in our home, if not truly in all our lives, an orange and white longhaired cat named Pete. Though we adopted him when I was just a toddler, and he didn't pass away until I was in college, Pete and I never really got along. He was all right, sometimes he would even let me pet him, but his only loyalty was to my mom. It seemed she couldn't sit down without the tom jumping into her lap, and she couldn't stand without him rubbing at her ankles. It wasn't until I was older and adopted a cat of my own (My apartment didn't allow dogs) that I understood their relationship. Now I understand that most of the reasons people give for disliking cats are born of ignorance. There are many reasons people spurn felines, a lack of loyalty, a standoffish personality and destructive behavior not least among them. While it is true that cats will never behave the same way a dog will, in many ways this is positive.

Many people claim to dislike the cat personality in general. They say cats are standoffish and independent, and I will be the first to admit it's true. Cats don't need us as much as dogs do and perhaps not being needed is what bothers some people so much. If I threw my cats outside to fend for them selves they'd probably do just fine. My dog on the other hand needs me for food, exercise and companionship. While I love my dog, I think it's great that if I want to go away for a few days I can put out a big bowl of food, give the toilet an extra flush so I'm sure they'll have water, and not have to worry about my kitties being home alone. That's not to say my cats don't want affection from me. When I get home from said trip they may give me the cold shoulder for a while, but by the next morning they are in bed with me, purring like kittens.

As for loyalty, my dog will accept affection from anyone while my cat only wants it from me. Sure, my cat may tease guests who try to pet him. They call, “Here, kitty, kitty, kitty,” and squat down. He goes just close enough that they think they are worthy of his touch before he jumps away to sit and glare. This only shows how loyal he is, I know I don't own my cat in the same way you can own a dog. He does what I want him to only if it suits him, so when he jumps in my lap and rubs against me, I know it's a true desire for my affection and not just a need for attention from any old person who happens to be nearby.

Cats can be destructive, but any pet that you keep in your house, or even just in your yard, will destroy something at some point. I think most people will agree that cats are far less destructive than dogs, even with occasional scratching, so why do people feel that cats will ruin their home? Much of the reluctance may come from the litter box. I won't lie, it is gross and it does smell, but while there is no way around this I should point out that at least they go in one place consistently, and I know how to find it when it needs cleaned. There is no need to play doggie turd hide and seek in the yard every week. As for real destruction, I've never heard of a cat chewing through a door just because he was closed in the laundry room.

Perhaps the most destructive tendency cats possess is their relentless assault on the small animal population. This behavior leads many people say they hate cats because they kill for fun. Cats do seem to enjoy stalking and killing their prey, but we shouldn't condemn them for this, we should thank them. Vermin control is the reason that cats were domesticated at about the same time in both India and Egypt. Since then, they have been an important part of human history.

Many historians agree that cats contributed to the end of the Black Death. Before the plague, cats were being tortured, drowned, and burned at the stake because they were linked with witches and the supernatural. When the plague began, historians estimate that cats in Europe may have been down to as little as ten percent of their pre-inquisition population. This may have contributed to the rise of the disease. Luckily, with the start of the plague, everyone had too much on their hands to worry about the cats and they quickly made a comeback. Since many farmers had died the grain fields were not being replanted. The starving, plague ridden rats were driven into the city and killed by the recovering cat population. Who knows how many diseases would still be around if we didn't have cats taking care of the vermin for us? The next time you postulate on the evil nature of the kitty cat killing machine you should remember that dogs also enjoy hunting and killing. Perhaps they are not ridiculed for it because, as pack hunters, they are not nearly as effective at solo missions. When your dog spots a squirrel in the neighbors lawn and takes off barking, don't for a minute think he just wants to invite it in for tea.

From witch trials to simply not swerving when you see one in the road, cats have a long history, full of hatred and persecution. I wonder if the current attitude towards cats is merely a remnant of the superstitions of our past, and I hope I have helped to enlighten some of the haters out there. Cats may not be for everyone, but they can be wonderful, loyal companions. Still, I did not address one cat problem, shedding. The problem is common, and my advice for this is simple: don't wear black.