Cats and Dogs: an Expose’

Cats. Dogs. Cats and Dogs. Dogs and cats. Try as I might, I can’t escape my aversion to the tame varieties of these two species. I cannot see the attraction, except as kittens and puppies. After that short grace period, they become cats and dogs, and that’s when they become most unwelcome.

Oh, I can see why other people own them. They are good companions, they protect us, they do tricks. But they have a ton of down sides as well. They can be smelly, make smelly messes, chew on your good furniture or scratch it up, eat loads of expensive food, be contrary in maddening ways. A person has to look the other way quite often when it comes to owning a cat or dog. As I see it, happily owning one of these creatures depends on how much you’re willing to put up with.

The worst time is when they get older. Then the messes return with a vengeance, the animal no longer seems to be enjoying itself. Ultimately, the question arises: when is it time to say goodbye to my best friend? I have witnessed the pain of friends and relatives who must negotiate this no-win gauntlet. They can’t let go and they can’t stand to see their pet in misery. Finally, they know it’s time to let go. Time to put old (fill in the blank with your pet’s name) down. Tears flow. Memories flood out. Then the inevitable “I will never own another (cat, dog)” is uttered. But not heeded, of course. Within days, old (______) is replaced with a kitten or puppy, and the race is on. How many year will you get before this one bows out?

Pet owners are resilient, I must say. They will go on endless depressing journeys for their pets. But why? That’s the part I don’t get. Why willingly go through all the mess and anguish of pet ownership willingly? You know how it’s going to end. One more box of ashes. Another portrait on the wall. This is not blasphemy, pet owners; it’s good old-fashioned reality. That’s how these things go. You know it as well as I do. But we shouldn’t skip to the end, you say. We shouldn’t ignore all those wonderful, carefree years when “_____” is young and adorable. After all, you saved him from the shelter. He would have died otherwise. I know. But as long as people are willing to take them in, there will always be animals in humane shelters needing adoption. You can’t possibly save them all.

So the beat goes on. Until the heartbeat stops. You are a trouper, after all. One more animal off the street and in a good home. The cats and the dogs will always be with us.