Cats didn't come into my life until I was in my 40's and adopted my first kitty. What this means is that I wasted all those years without living with the miracle of having and knowing a cat. I will never be without one again.
I remember when I was a kid always wanting one, but my dad wouldn't let me have one.
He finally broke down one year and let me have one for my birthday. I was so happy!
Tragically, the cat got run over by some jerk on a motorcycle who lived down the road after only having him for about a year: I was just heartbroken.
I guess my dad must have felt sorry for me cuz he let me get another one: that cat came back with me when my mom & dad got a divorce, and we moved from California back to Wisconsin. He went missing one day when my ex bf let him out of the house and never came back.
I didn't have a cat for a long time after that, cuz it was just too painful to lose them.
I grew up with dogs -- loved all animals but it was dogs who were closest. When I set out on my own and wanted a pet, I knew I didn't have an appropriate lifestyle for a dog, but wanted a critter who would care whether I was home or not, and with whom I could have a real relationship. Enter cat. Shasta taught me about cats and the rest is history -- lovely history. Now I wouldn't be without a cat and have given up any thought of having a dog -- too much work, though I still love other people's dogs (mostly).
I grew up with dogs as well. I never liked cats growing up.. but then again, I never had the opportunity to get to know them. My impression was "ew, they dig in the litter box, then jump on the kitchen counters with dirty paws? EW!" and I always thought they were too snubbish and anti-social.
But when I moved out and wanted some company.. after research of what kind of critter I wanted.. I thought why not a cat? So I research for months before going to the shelter and picking up my little Monet. Best decision ever. I love my kitty and not regretting it one bit!
I am really amazed at how my views and thoughts on cats made a complete turn around, and I am glad I gave them a chance. Now, I'd rather own a cat over a dog any day!
ALWAYS!!!!! My mom told me when I was two and we would visit my Aunt's house, I would gently carry around the cat all day long and play with the kitty named Puff. And as soon as I was in Kindergarten I was already trying to save all of the stray cats in the neighborhood and would bring them home
I fell in love with a kitty for the first time when I was 3 and we visited my grandparents in Kentucky. They had a darling tiger stiped fellow named Tom Pennycuff, and I loved on him the whole week we were there. I wanted to bring him home desperately, but my folks promised me a kitten when we got home. Sure enough, Dad came home from work one day with a little black ball of fur, and I've had cats ever since.
I've always love animals! All animals! I was constantly bringing home stray cats and dogs, mostly pregnant ones!
Unfortunately due to my Mom's asthma, we couldn't have furry pets, so they all ended up at the Humane Society
I promised myself that once I was able to move out on my own that I would always have a pet. And since I live in apartments, it was logical to adopt cats, plus they fit my lifestyle more as I tend to not be an outdoorsy kind of person.
Yes, we just never thought of having cats growing up as we always have had multiple dogs which I wouldn't change for the world because I am a dog lover AND a cat lover. I got Miagi in 2004, Tiger in 2005, and Angel in summer of 2009.
We've always had cats. Dogs, too, when I was younger and still lived at home.
DH and I have often said that we'd like to get a dog when we retire and have more time to be with him or her (and we still think we'll end up with our grand-dog). But we'll always have cats in our lives. Maybe not six cats, but two or three anyway.