Cat Lover or Dog Lover:
Which Are You?
by Dusty the Garden Cat, edited by Traute Klein, biogardener
Dusty the Garden Cat expounds her theory of what kind of people love the independent cat and which prefer the obedient dog. She cites historic examples of the people she has met in her many previous lives. Her photo is shown in the left column.
Dusty's Criteria
All right. I don't want to embarrass anyone. I am a cat, a garden cat, and my name is Dusty. That means I am a diplomat. I am also a people lover and want to see all of you happy. So don't think of yourself. Just think of all the people you know who love cats. Then think of all the people who love dogs. How do they differ?
You need more help? How do these people act around you? How do they relate to other humans. What adjectives describe a fanatical cat lover. Which ones describe a devoted dog lover.
I will give you another hint. Think of the one person you know who is crazy about at least one cat. Then think about the one person whose constant companion is a dog. Now I will give you the descriptions of two personalities and you tell me which one is the cat lover and which one the dog lover.
Here's one:
- loves to be in charge
- a bit domineering, maybe even tyrannical
- does not like to be told what to do
- does not like to be contradicted
- gets hot under the colar in a heated discussion
Here is the other one:
- minds his/her own business
- allows people to have their own opinions
- asks rather than demands favors
- is not easily drawn into a squabbles
- avoids controversy
- lives and lets live
Cat and Dog Lovers in History
Now let me introduce to you some of the historic figures I have known in some of my former lives. I have even known whole nations who have shown decided preferences for either cats or dogs.
I remember the Egyptians. They loved us cats, in fact, they worshiped us. They mummified us and buried us just like their humans. I remember being at the court of Cleopatra. She loved me and my companions. She was not what I consider a typical ruler. She was more prone to submit to her Roman conquerors than to rule over them. Not a good example of a tyrant, you must admit.
And dog lovers? Fortunately I have been able to keep my distance from them, but I have heard of them from my canine friends. You can read about them in history books. For some strange reason, history has been much more accurate in recording the exploits of tyrants than those of peace lovers. Here are some examples:
- Alexander the Great
- Julius Caesar
- Napoleon
- Hitler
You can probably think of a few well-known living dog or cat lovers yourself, so I don't have to enumerate them.
The Revenge of the Dog
I can tell you now why dogs voted to be satisfied with one life to live rather than the nine which we cats chose. The majority of dogs did not want to return to earth a second time, because they were not allowed to rule their territory as we cats are. They therefore decided to stay in the underworld where they are allowed to supervise the arrival of their masters into hades. It is their way of getting even with them.
Cat lover or dog lover, which are you?
