Are you a cat person? If you are then you understand that they can be very finicky, don’t you? Aloof? Keep to themselves? Independent?  Well, they can also be very cuddly and loving. One of the things I like about cats is that they can purr to let you know they are happy and content.

When my sister and I were quite young, we had a cat named “Mittens” because she had four white paws. She was pretty much an outdoor cat, but unfortunately, one day Mittens just never came home. Somehow my father found her and brought her home. She had been gravely injured and didn’t live beyond the next morning. We were devastated! My father suggested that we bury the cat under one of the bushes in our back yard which is what we did. We put her into an old shoebox before we buried her. We could then go and visit the grave whenever we felt sad. We ended up putting a few other pets in that same little plot of land over the years.

When we were pre-teen girls, a friend of our mother had a cat who had just had kittens. Somehow, my sister convinced my mother that she needed a cat! When I heard that they were going to pick out a kitten, I decided that I wanted one also. So we went to find our newest pets. It turned out that they were Siamese kittens. If you know anything about Siamese cats, you know that they usually have blue eyes versus the green eyes that most cats have. They also have distinctive color “points” on their ears, tail, paws and sometimes on their face. It turned out that my sister picked out a “Chocolate” point kitten and I chose a “Blue” point kitten. Her cat had dark brown “points” and mine had “grey” points. We loved those cats and they lived to be almost 20 years old. They are both indoor cats which is so much healthier for cats and I believe it’s one of the reasons they lived so long. I believe that most veterinarians will tell you that indoor cats are safer and healthier. It’s also very important to make sure your pets are spayed or neutered. They live longer and healthier lives that way.

Unfortunately, I have become allergic to cats and dogs that shed. This has made me very unhappy because I believe that cats are so much easier to care for since they don’t need to be walked. Although, one of my neighbors who I knew a couple of years ago, would take his cat for a walk every evening. He put a harness on the cat just like you would a dog. For many years after I became an adult, I longed to have a Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie). I just loved the way they looked and I loved the idea of a small dog. When I inherited a bit of money one year, I convinced my husband that I needed a dog. He agreed and I went and purchased a Yorkie. This breed of dog is perfect for me since I’m not allergic to them. I’m now on my third Yorkie and still love this breed. They are loving but still a little feisty. My first two Yorkies didn’t bark a lot but this current one, Holly, barks at all kinds of things. However, all her good attributes counter that less than perfect one. On the other hand, she’s a great watchdog since she barks when she sees people she doesn’t know.

I have to admit I don’t recommend that people “buy” their dogs or cats. Over the years I have come to learn so much more about “puppy” mills and now am a huge supporter of the ASPCA and their work to shut down those disreputable organizations. There are so many dogs and cats that are euthanized each year that could go to good homes if people would only go to the shelter and adopt an animal. My current Yorkie is adopted and I’m sorry that I didn’t adopt the two previous dogs. Yorkies are difficult to find from a shelter because I found out that a lot of rescue organizations watch for them and immediately go to rescue them so they won’t be euthanized.

If you are seeking a new addition to your family, check with the ASPCA or other organizations to adopt. I’m sure you can find the perfect pet for you. Also, check out our “Amazing Deals” under the logo above to purchase any needed items for your furry friends.