Sunday, February 16, 2014

Cat Person or Dog Person?

~Happy Belated Valentines Day!~
I read recently that "dog people," think of themselves as more social, outgoing and friendly, whereas "cat people" think of themselves as creative, philosophical, and nontraditional.  These are, of course, generalizations and I'm not sure if this is totally true or not.  But I do know that any discussion among pet owners is bound to reveal clearly that there are dog people and there are cat people.

Yesterday we spent the day with "cat-people" when we took Dale to an adoption day the rescue he belongs to was having.  I really made an effort to try and get acquainted with the people from the rescue that were there.  I meet new people practically every day at work, and I think that I'm pretty good at initial and casual conversation, but even I have to admit that it was a tough crowd.  Like their cat-counterparts, conversation with the people volunteering for the rescue was limited to few words and mostly silence.  We were there for nearly 5 tiring hours and I was feeling it was a total waste of a day because there was no interest in Dale and because I just wasn't getting the 'warm and fuzzy feeling' from anyone within the rescue.
Then as we were getting ready to leave, someone named Julie introduced herself as the person who began the rescue more than 10 years ago. We had a delightful conversation about Dale, cats, and continuing to foster for the rescue. It shouldn't have been much of a surprise when Julie told us she'd had Golden Retrievers for many years, and currently has two of them. Based solely on my own experience, I think that Julie's personality indicates to me that she's like me in that she loves both cats and dogs and has devoted her life to helping one over the other.  Which is why today I'm thinking that it's really all about the individual animal and the relationship you have with it and not whether you prefer a cat or a dog. What do you think?
~Dale's official rescue photo~


Post Script about placing Dale in another home.  After a lot of thought, we decided it would be best to put Dale up for adoption through the rescue.  It was a really hard choice to make because all of the the dogs, in particular Charlie, get along really well with him and he would be a good fit in our home -- but there's one dog that makes that difficult and that dog is Shadow.  Shadow has many, many good qualities, but like some dogs, he has a high prey drive that we are unable to redirect.  I know that we could keep Dale safe from Shadow (probably) ninety-nine-percent of the time.  But Dale has no fear whatsoever of the dogs and that one time when the two may accidentally meet could and probably would be tragic. And as sad as I am to think about Dale leaving, I would be even more sad if something happened to him.
~Shadow~

39 comments:

  1. Good luck to Dale. He's such a cutie. Alas, we have no cats for the same reason...I really miss having a cat.

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  2. What you are doing for Dale is wonderful. Giving him a chance after leaving the shelter, then setting him free to find his new forever home. You are a good egg, Ms. Kim.

    Your definition of cat people and dog people explains me pretty well. According to this, I am creative, philosophical, and nontraditional, with a side of social, outgoing, and friendly! I tell people that I adore my dogs, but if I were forced to choose, I will never be without at least one cat.

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  3. Dale sure is a pretty cat, if we were looking for a new one, I would bre interested in him!

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  4. Glad you dd the best thing for Dale...he is so personable, someone will snatch him up...:)JP

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  5. Amazing care and mission you provide. Inspiring indeed!

    Good thoughts about providing a new home for Dale in considering the possibilities of a Dale/Shadow confrontation. Difficult decision I am sure, but wise.

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  6. i totally respect your decision to allow dale to be adopted to another home. and i certainly understand the concern for his safety.

    i've loved both dogs and cats all my life (and horses, too), but i admit that i've figured out dogs are my #1.

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  7. Hi Kim, hard decision to made but for the safety of Dale, I think a good one. Pray Dale will find a loving forever home soon.......I love them both, always had cats and dogs growing up, the house is not a home without one in it, Hugs Francine.

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  8. Oh how sweet Dale looks in his rescue photo...what a cute little chap and his markings match up.

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  9. I totally respect and agree with your decision there are some pets that just don't like others and there isn't anything we can do about it ! Better to be safe then sorry I say ! I hope Dale can find a loving forever home . I am an animal lover if it were up to me and I could afford it I would have all kinds lol ! Thanks for sharing . Have a good day !

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  10. Yeah, we don't have a cat because we'd like to chase it too much and SHE's not sure what would happen if we caught it.

    Hopefully Dale will find the right home.

    We've got two cat-people aunties in Virginia and they're very outgoing.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  11. We need a cat that has no fear of dogs. Stella is a cupcake to cats, but Zkhat has hated her since she came through the door. Have Dale hop a Greyhound and he will be most welcome here.

    Cheers,

    Jo

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  12. While I lean towards being a 'cat person', truly I am an 'animal' person. I need to be rich and have an acreage with scads of different animals. Heaven!!
    Happy Sunday Kim!
    xo Catherine

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  13. P.S. I like your snowball heart. :)

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  14. Your heart is so huge, full of love, and to make this decision comes from there, Dale looks like a real sweetie, as all gingers do, and I do hope his right home will come and show itself to you soon, Funny, I thought all animal lovers would have something in common and open up a conversation to another, maybe some are so different. Cheers to all at your home, Jean.

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  15. I love both cats and dogs, but we have three cats. We'd both like a dog sometime, but he/she would have to pass muster with the three kitties. I've always thought of myself as loving canines and felines equally though. :)

    It really bums me out that there was no interest in Dale. He's an awesome boy. Hopefully next time?

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  16. Maybe Dale's new home will have dogs that he can enjoy. My mom is an animal lover she loves them all. She has rescued all types of critters. She even rescued a skunk once, his mom had been killed on the road. He lived with my peeps before I came along and probably a good think because he still had his stinker. He lived in our house and mom would take showers with him. Not once did he ever spray. Mom let him come and go in and out of the house. One day he found a girlfriend and packed his stinky little bags and left home to make babies.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  17. The perfect home WILL be found for Dale. I imagine when he does find his forever home-- he will always remember the friends he made at Golden Pines.
    love
    tweedles

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  18. I grew up with cats. Hubby had both.
    I think we probably will get a dog or two; but we'll probably always have cats.

    I definitely understand your feelings about Dale. He's got so much personality, I'm sad that no one was interested in him.

    Have a great week, Kim. ♥

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  19. That's a tough one. I know I get along better with dog folks, but I can't think of any cat folk I have issues with. LOL - I'll have to pay attention!

    P.S. - we are glad you like Harlow's Valentine's photos!

    Monty and Harlow

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  20. Your right...breaks my heart but your right.....you are a great lady.....

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  21. I don't know about cat vs. dog people - all I know is that I've always adored dogs and have never been super interested in cats...

    Based on Dale's adoption photo, I can't believe that there wasn't interest in him. He's handsome, and it sounds like he's a super cat, based on your experience.

    I'm sorry that you had to decide to put Dale up for adoption... but you are putting Dale first, like you always do with your animals. That's a rare quality.

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  22. Love Dales photo. Like Shadow I too have a prey drive and MOM knows that she could never have a sweet kitty here. I wish I could change, butt.... Best wishes to Dale.
    Blessings,
    goose

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  23. I love all the animals, but I have to admit dogs are # 1 for me.. I hope Dale finds a good loving home. Dale's rescue photo is just adorable. Have a happy day!

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  24. If I was closer, I would take Dale -- have a soft spot for orange tabbies.

    Although Buck likes to chase the cats, he knows his boundaries.

    I'm partial to cats and dogs both.

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  25. I think you are making the right choice for Dale. It would be horrible if something happened to him.

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  26. What a handsome adoption photo of him!! I hope you find him a wonderful forever home. :)

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  27. Tough decision, but that's what you do when you are a responsible animal (cat or dog ;-) person.

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  28. I've always had both cats and dogs (my dogs are all fine with cats) until my last two elderly cats passed away, and our young and much loved cat was apparently killed by a predator (he just disappeared one evening before bedtime). Now I just have dogs, and no plans to get another cat as I can't keep keep them safe - I have a dog door, so can't really keep them inside. Also, I just like dogs more :)

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  29. Dale is such a cutie. I hope he finds a loving home soon. I've always had both cats and dogs, so that probably means I have a split personality!

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  30. I totally agree with you. One becomes a dog person or a cat person based on circumstances. A person who travels and lives in a small apartment might have to become a cat person since it would be unfair to have a dog and leave so often.

    I'm sure there is a person out there for Dale.

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  31. You always do what is right for the animals in your care Kim, it is one of the things I love about you.

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  32. I think of myself as a cat person. I miss my cats so much, but this house and the country outside is not suitable for them. I hope Dale gets a good home. You tried it, and you can't risk it. It's sad, he's such a lovely cat and I will miss him. You know I always wanted an orange cat.

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  33. I'm just an animal person...love them all! I wish I lived closer, I would take Dale in a heartbeat.

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  34. Dale is adorable and I hope he finds the perfect forever home. Your heart snowball and Goldie shot is one of my favorite pictures ever :)

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  35. I love, love, love your heart snowball picture. You have a heart gold - you really do. My peep and I love how you take such excellent care of all kinds of animals, great and small.
    oxox
    Daisy

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  36. I'm a dog person. And a cat person. And a guinea pig, rabbit, anything needing love person.

    Dale's 'official' photo is adorable!

    xxxx

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  37. Its a funny thing about some dog people and/or cat people. They say they love animals, but its very obvious they only really love and tolerate their own pets. I see it at the dog parks every day. You've figured out how to blend the dogs and cats into a happy, functional pack/family. Most people, including myself can't or won't do that. You decision about Dale's future seems right on to me.

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!