Cats and Dogs

“There are three kinds of people in this world. Those who are good at math and those who aren’t.”

 

We love dividing the world in two (or three)— from the casual coffee or tea drinkers, beer or wine, football or basketball to the more catastrophic Republican/ Democrat, Christian/ Muslim, white/black, straight/gay, etc. One of the more popular casual divides is, “Cats or dogs?”

 

Cat lovers admire the independence of cats, the ease of caretaking by a simple installment of a cat door that doesn’t require walking their pet on a leash with pooper-scooper in hand. They don’t expect unconditional slobbery love, yet appreciate the moments when the cat, on its terms, rubs against your leg and purrs, or jumps on your lap to enjoy your head scratches or jumps in your bed for some moments of mutual warmth. If you have a cat, you’re released from potty training— a simple kitty litter box will do— or taking an expensive class to teach your cat to come, heel, stay, roll over, beg. Ain’t no cat gonna listen to your commands or do what you say at their will and you’re at peace with that.

 

Dog owners love the way the dogs will greet them at the door like, as one poet says, you’ve just come home from a war instead of a trip to Walgreens. They like an excuse to get out to walk, enjoy playing fetch for what would be hours on end if the dog had its way, They love most dogs’ happy demeanor and endless affection and exuberant chasing of squirrels. Sometimes it’s also a nice way (see the film 101 Dalmations) to meet other dog owners, one of whom might be your future life partner. 

 

I love both my grandchildren equally (of course!), but a 15-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy are by definition, not to mention individual character, quite different. On this most recent visit, I had a wonderful walk and talk with Zadie (the elder) on the beach, enjoyed doing many of the things and yesterday’s list with her, never had a single eye-rolling moment and many genuine smiles and a few affectionate hugs. But I’d be less than honest to not admit that it was hard that she slept so late and was holed up in her room for so long, with far too much time looking at that evil little screen. But minus the screen part, imagining her as a cat helped me love and accept her much more. Sometimes aloof, wholly independent, not responsive to adult commands— of course, that’s her cat nature! No sense trying to convince her to change species.

 

Malik, by contrast, was the ever-faithful happy dog, by my side many of our waking moments and happy following me (or me following him) doing so many fun things together. 

 

So I find it useful to see them each in this light and accept the obvious: I’m both a cat AND dog person.