Cats and Dogs

My dad grew up a dog person. My mom grew up on a farm. When they were first married, my parents had a Siamese cat and a St. Bernard. My parents trained that St. Bernard nearly perfectly and adored him. Then one day when my sister was about 6-months old, my mom was playing with the St. Bernard and he got rough in a way that, had it been my sister, would have killed her. So they found him a new home and we became a cat family. When I was in kindergarten, my cat (mind you, we had other cats - this one was just mine) was Blackie. He was the perfect cat - let us dress him up in doll clothes and give him rides in a stroller. He'd even take walks around the neighborhood with us. He contracted feline leukemia and we had to have him put to sleep. Then my family ventured to Turner Falls where I fell in love with Whiskers who fell in love with my mom and I spent my days wishing Whiskers would love me the most. At some point in there I really wanted a dog, but my sister was allergic, my parents didn't want one in the house and I eventually lost interest. When I was 14, my mom's "baby" died - the Siamese cat named Kyling that she got when she was pregnant with my sister. We adopted another Siamese named Lillie who was mine. Lillie slept in my room every night. But she didn't belong to anyone - she belonged to the house. Along the way we also had Smokey, Kacey, Chloe, Emmy-Louie, Callie, and probably some others I can't remember. All through high school, we had four cats. When I was in college and living on my own, I adopted my two "babies" Luc and Belle. And I finally had animals that were just mine (and loved me more than they loved my mom). I love having cats. They are sweet, independent, easy to take care of, loving, and consistent. Cats tend to pick one person they attach to, and I loved that I was that person. Up until Casey and I got married, my cats slept with me every single night. My friends loved to make fun of me for being the crazy cat lady.

Then Casey and I got Eli. And he is loyal and loving and attached to both of us. And I really clearly see the difference between cats and dogs now. And while I still love having my cats, I also love having a dog. I love that no matter where I am in the house, Eli is in the same room. I love that no matter where I sit, he sits at my feet. I love that he lets me play with him and rub his fluffy ears. And I love that I have a running partner who will eagerly go with me every day (and requires me to take him every day, too). I love that no matter how long we've been gone, Eli is excited to see us. We've had Eli for 3 months now. He's 5 months old. He's tripled in size. He looks nothing like the tiny 7-pound puppy we brought home. For awhile there, he was growing 3 pounds a week! My cats are still adjusting to him - they're still unsure of what he really wants from them.

I love that my cats and my puppy and I are in a routine. Every morning Belle jumps on the bed for her cuddle-time. Every morning or afternoon, Eli and I go running and get to play (and let's be honest, he demands far more attention than both of my cats combined), and whenever Luc wants it, he lets me know he needs love and I gladly accede. It's so entertaining to me how different they all are. If we're gone for more than one night, Luc punishes me. Eli is happy to see me and jumping for joy. Belle acts relieved, like maybe we would leave her forever. Luc is independent, spoiled, and proper. He only likes me and has this condescending glare that makes you feel like an ice sculpture. But he has a sweet, soft side reserved for me where he'll sleep next to me, his paw on my hand. Or when I cry, he lays close to me and purrs. Belle is needy, sometimes dog-like. She likes to be near me, touching me if possible, and is afraid of most everything. She is safe with me and she knows I will protect her. Eli is kind, attentive, and easily matches the mood of whatever environment he's in. He wants to please and he wants love. He never gets angry, he never punishes, and he's only scared of the hair dryer and lawn mower.

It's been awhile since I posted, and this probably seems like a weird post. But I'm reading a book called A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron that follows a dog's life and his purpose in that life (actually several lives, as the dog is reincarnated every time he dies in the book). The book just makes me think - I love having animals. I love the joy, the peace, and the fun they bring into my life. I can't imagine life without them, my sweet cats and my dog.