different than animals?

I have been thinking all day today about the difference between me and my cat. Yes, I got a cat since we last spoke. He is fabulous, his name is Bosley and he has no tail. Don’t worry, there will be pictures that follow!

So, back to the “cat vs. me” exploration.

  • We both love to eat, although he seems to stop when he is full while I go til there is nothing left on my plate.
  • We both love to be touched, although I won’t push my nose under someone’s hand for affection (oh wait, yes I do).
  • We both go to the bathroom, although I go in a porcelain orb while he uses a plastic box with sand.
  • We both love to lie in the sun, although he does it alone or with us and I struggle to do anything solo.
  • We both seem dependent on the families that support us, although I am not dependent. I can make choices for myself and think about things in regards to the future and the past.
  • I can take responsibility for my life choices.
  • I can imagine and create.
  • I can cry and speak.
  • I can laugh and explore.
  • I can fall in and out of love.
  • I can read.
  • I can fail.
  • I can live in way that is so rich and full.

Wow Bosley, looks like you got the fuzzy side of the lollipop. Maybe you will earn this honor in your next life. But until then, enjoy the foot of my bed.
xo
Allison

Newer Comments →
  • jennygirl

    I think I was a cat in my last life, the way I demand to be scratched and petted. Like I belong on a fancy pillow in the sun. But I reciprocate more than a cat.

  • anon.

    bahahs . cute

  • http://www.smallvillededication.com Audrey

    Wish I had a pet around my apartment but of course, I’m not allowed pets. When I get my own house though, I’m totally getting an adorable little kitten :)

  • Amber Rae

    Aww that was a great little post. Glad you have a fiesty companion. Can’t wait to see pictures

    ~Amber

  • http://twitter.com/still_unwritten Cami

    Awh, that’s cute. I have a doggie myself and sometimes I think she’s more human than she should be. LOL

    I’m not sure about cats [I always got the feeling they're more independent than dogs] but I know dogs can love one unconditionally; while humans? I’m not really sure. Sadly.

    If it was me doing a dog vs. me post I know I’d get the short end of the stick. All my dog does is eat and sleep a great part of the day, plus all it takes for us to stop everything we’re doing and pat her is one look from her. She’s got a great life that dog of mine. LOL

  • http://chasegiunta.com Chase

    Most cats like to be pet… You on the other hand, I think would react differently to people petting you. Yes? Haha

  • http://ukfolkies.proboards.com Danny The Only Bloke

    I love my cat too, it’s gotta be a good life really, lay around, be adored, no responsabilities…..

  • Medina

    Graauurrrr

  • Martha

    My cat does not have worries about rent, mortgage or Credit card payments :) ….

  • http://www.myspace.com/analfabeta Gnome

    If I compare myself with my cat I will probably be beat, yet, at the second topic.
    She is waaaay to much smarter than me….

    Nice name for a cat, better than Malefica. But she deserved the name. Totally screwed up with the dog.

    Have a nice day

  • http://www.StevenKirk.com Steven Kirk

    Whoa! Not so fast, little lady! I think you’re not giving Bosley all the credit he deserves! :)

    * While Bosley “depends” on you to feed him and clean his box, it’s because he a so-called “domesticated” cat…and that’s only as long as he’s inside. Once he’s out, he’s back to “Nature Kitty” mode and would certainly fend for himself better that any of us dropped into the wild (except maybe for that Bear Grylls dude…)

    * I’m sure Bosley “imagines” that piece of string is a mouse.

    * Cats cry…and purr..and “vocalize” all kinds of emotions.

    * Exploring? Second only to sleep on the list of “What Cats Do Best”.

    * Do I even need to mention romance when it comes to cats? ;)

    * Okay, you got me on the whole “reading” thing, but my cats know the sound of a can opener, and has been watching me operate it..,I suspect to learn how to do it herself in case of an emergency.

    * Cat’s fail in the most spectacular ways, and it’s even okay to laugh when they skid right off the table or misjudge the distance from the couch to the back of the chair, because they never seem to get hurt when they do fail!

    * You will rarely find a more content creature than the well-loved cat.

    Both our cats are very lucky to have humans who think about them and care so much.

    Have a great Tuesday!

  • _luckygirl_

    What a lucky kitten! =o)

  • Hectorius the Glorious

    The polar bear is known to eats seals in it’s natural diet. Can YOU eat a seal? Polar bears are better than you.

    Ahahahaha oh man I loved that video but I can’t find it again because I don’t remember what it’s called. If anyone finds it, POST IT!

  • Lynsey

    There are one or two other things we could learn from cats:

    - Cats don’t spend twenty minutes deciding what to wear in the morning even though they’re running late for work

    - Cats are always optimistic – no matter how many times they fail to catch that bird they still think they’re going to get it next time

    - Cats are never too old to play

    - Cats are not materialistic – they can have hours of fun with a piece of string

    - Cats never doubt their instincts

    - And lastly, cats don’t worry about what other cats think of them!

    But all things considered, and much as I love them, I don’t think I’d want to trade in my life for that of a cat. For a start I’m vegetarian – that wouldn’t make for a very interesting cat diet, secondly I love hot baths too much (so much better than licking yourself clean in front of everyone!), and thirdly cats are solitary creatures except for the chosen few (don’t kid yourself that you chose the cat – the cat always chooses you) and I love spending time with my friends and family too much. :)

    All in all, despite the creature comforts of life as a cat, I’m happy being me.

  • Coco

    Hi !!
    Very funny!!
    Personally I hate cats, you never know when it wiil scratch!! I prefer my big and loyal dog.
    I will try to think about that.
    Take care
    xo

  • Lydia

    I’m looking forward to seeing pictures. Are Bosley and Phantom getting along?

    Pets aren’t allowed on my apartment but, I love animals, cats and dogs in particular.
    It’s wonderful that you can enjoy their love, uniqueness and goofiness.:-)

  • Veronica

    Haha Allison you always amuse me with the way you put things :) I love the way you compared you & your cat. I have a dog that is very precious to me but I never considered it that way lol.

    Thanks for sharing

  • Netra

    I have a kittie…his name is Elijah…I love him to itty bitty pieces!!! He loves Strawberry Twizzlers, Tuna and long walks on the balcony…..he is unable to have children, so any lady kitties out there that want a litter…look elsewhere darling!!!
    He is a fat black cat, with a healthy apprieciation for the little things in life…..like irritating me while I try to pee…..I guess he just will never learn that no matter how far he reaches that lil paw under the door, it’s not gonna open!!! And meowing like he is being tortured when he can see the little kittie face at the bottom of his food bowl!!!
    Personally I would not want to be a cat eighther……just for the simple fact that I am sitting here enjoying some Chicken Tikka and Nan…guess who is not…..Elijah!!!!

  • http://deleted Robin

    HAHAHA …and I always thinking the grass was always greener for my own dog ( much like Steven’s comments regarding his cat), get taken out, plenty to eat and drink, get to relax all day …yet you give a really strong case for us humans having the better of things!

    I always wonder where our pets think we go all day?
    They have their own experience of the World around them, consisting of the house, the surrounding streets and a couple of local parks and woods, do they have a sense of the larger World.

    Maybe I’m similar,living too much in my own little box-world.
    I have my set of friends, my job, my family…how many times do I stop and take advantage of all the possibilities out there, all the different cultures any differing points of view, the many places I’ve yet to visit…..maybe you are right Allison, us humans are lucky to have such a rich life experience…if we allow ourselves to explore just a little more!

    Keep having fun.

  • Paul Y

    “So, back to the “cat vs. me” exploration.

    We both love to eat, although he seems to stop when he is full while I go til there is nothing left on my plate.”

    He wins on that. Knowing when to stop when full is something that requires a lot more self awareness than folks realize.

    “I can cry and speak.”

    Obviosuly Bosley hasn’t “trained you” yet to acknowledge his non-verbal commands of “play with me, feed me, clean up my poop box, and go away… I wanna lie in the sun”… :)

    “I can fall in and out of love.”

    Just see what happens to your favorite sweater, shoe, slipper, or hat. Bosley will fall in love with those things.

    “Maybe you will earn this honor in your next life. But until then, enjoy the foot of my bed.”

    I wanna enjoy the foot of your bed in my next life. :) Wow… that sounded kinda creepy. Um what I meant to say was that as a fan, or a reincarnated animal companion… enjoying the same space with someone else can be soemthing to look forward to. :) Um yeah…

  • Katie

    I love this, it brightened up my day and reminded my how much my little (adult) kitten loves me and I love him. However, I’d like to add one difference that I think is the most profound.

    *We have the gift of understanding. We can process and weigh the needs of others around us and adjust ourselves to those needs. My poor kitty has no such ability to understand that sometimes I have to get up, even though he is blissfully sprawled out on my lap.

  • http://www.avitable.com Avitable

    I wonder if cats dream. Would that be considered imagining?

  • Maria

    LOL OMG You just made me wonder about what My dog, Nala, Thinks!!!

    HMmm I wonder…

    *leaves computer to stare at her dog*

  • Maria

    LOL OMG You’re making me wonder about what my dog, Nala, thinks!!!

    HMmm I wonder…

    *leaves computer to stare at her dog*

  • Sarah B

    I don’t know if you had a cat before Bosley, but they get better with age. My cat is turning 16 and she is smarter than any dog I know. She wasn’t always that way, but I think the years wizened her over time. Enjoy your cat, they are special creatures :)

  • arash

    Many years ago I had a cat in a big city of 20 million people where cats lived on the streets and walked on the walls more like squirrels do today. So my mom and dad were not a big fan of cleaning after the wild animal :) so this one time when I was away up north staying at my grandpa’s my dad comes up with his grand conspiracy plan. He puts the cat in a bag, takes a cab, drives 45 minutes out of the city and let a cat go near a butcher shop thinking it would find enough food to eat there. I came back looking for my cat and sure enough my mom and dad had noooo idea where the cat had gone. A month later the cat showed up. Now this is a city you get lost in, with a GPS a map and a guide.

  • http://reelartsy.blogspot.com Karen

    If I could have a pet it would be a chipmunk or a squirrel. They’re adorable.

  • Cristina

    I spend(pass) to my myself equally with my Feline cat my breast made distant view and after a few days she(it) volvio, me equal step with my perrita Perrina was an incredible owner to the pets jajaja

  • Donna

    Bosley will need his own Facebook (or rather Cat Book) page. There is an app for that. My tortie has one and would friend him. ;-)

  • winx

    I miss having a kitten,but soon when we move, I’ll get one again to cuddle :)

  • Aziza

    *waves to Phantom and Bosley*
    Scratch behind his ears, he’ll love that! And his cheeks. Well mine did. Probably Bosley is different, dunno. :)

    I had a cat who was so independent. Kitty was more of an outdoor type- going wherever he pleased really but always coming back. He would knock (yes, knock) at my front door and then run into the kitchen and wait to be fed and the run back to the front door and would be like “ok, i wanna go outside now”. My bed is near a window so he would jump on the chair on the porch, tap on the louvres and then jump through. Once I was playing with him and I got scratched and bitten (ok, nothing serious). But he died. My free spirit. Now I have a dog- who’s great too- the day i got him, i played with him all day. Now I’m in college and he’s home :( . And I have a parrot- :)

    I was thinking about the differences between cats and dogs. The dog gives you attention, the cat- well, you’ll have to give it attention. The parrot however has a preference to one person in the house- my younger sis.

    With regards to humans
    My cat- independent
    My dog- friendly though he would bite your head off if you take his food
    My parrot- talkative

    Have fun with Bosley!

  • Aziza

    I like Steven Kirk’s “Nature Kitty”. Mine would play in the grass and run up the trees. Well since my dear old feline died we have more birds around that usual- kiskadees, cornbirds, some white egrets would pass by, doves, blue jays, bullfinches, finches (green), corn birds, a woodpecker, parakeets that come by occassionally.

  • Carlos

    i want to be your cat, for sleep to your feets

  • william

    I have thought about this before, it fun to do so. The biggest difference I would say is that humans can think about sprituial things: Is there a god, why are we here, what happens at death, whats the purpose of life? Animals don’t have that need to know and realize things like that. Animals are great though! allison, if you like thinking about animals a really cool sci-fi book series is anomorphs, the best books ever! Check them out sometime. thanks for the days thought,
    william

  • Sally

    HeeHee so funny Allison! So we really do have a lot be greatful to not be animals. LOL.

  • Tyler

    Very thought provoking! I have a Guinea Pig named Al and strangely enough, thanks to this post, I realized I have learned a valuable lesson from him…intuition. He instinctively knows a good and bad situation. There is no thought…what he perceives as dangerous usually is. Oh how correct he is…without this keen sense, he would have been stepped on already. Take care of yourself and others.

  • Amanda N.

    That was a very fun and interesting post Allison.It’s awesome you got a cat.I can’t really say I like cats at all.My family and I have one named Katy,all she does is make babies.Cats are just more stern and guarded,and are quick to hiss and scratch people.I have a ton of marks to prove that.

    Though cats have never been my cup of tea,I absolutely adore dogs.I have two puppies.They really are different creatures from us humans.I go through so many emotions in one day,when they sort of stay in one spot.Today wasn’t the best of days,my puppy Conan got hit by a truck by accident.His tooth fell out,he has a big gash on his belly,and his leg is limp.I think he will be better soon though,he sure is a survivor.And of course he has me,my sisters,and my other dog who is his doggie buddy Sammy.

    Allison you have stated a couple times you don’t like being solo.Do you really prefer being around people when ever you can?I know a lot of instances where I would much rather be by myself.But I guess we are all different and all have different preferences.

    I like the name Bosley,it reminds me of Tom Bosley from Happy days.I would love to see some pics you have taken of Phantom and Bosley together.I bet they are really cute with each other.

  • Anthony Arfuso

    LOL, I love that last sentence. Too cute. Heh.

  • viviane

    Hi Allison … then you have a cat huh!
    well personally I do not like cats … I’m allergic, Hehehe … but I have a very cute dog … animals are divine creatures, they are our friends unconditionally, not asking anything in return for our friendship, in love with rich or poor, white or black, low or high … is wonderful to have them… :)

    kisses … take care … love you!
    Viviane – Brazil

  • Brittany

    Hey Allison, what an adorable name for a cat! I can’t wait to see the pictures! Do you still have Phantom? Great comparison between you and your furry friend.
    Much love & support,
    BrittanyXOXOXOXO

  • http://www.myspace.com/malleable_me Krystal

    It is funny that you brought up doing things solo. I was walking my dog, Emma, today and as I walked past the pool I thought that it would be nice to go for a swim. My mind immeadiatly went through a list of possible individuals that I could get to come along. Then I thought of the reality that these individuals would be busy until the weekend so I would have to wait until then to take my lovely swim. After this thought process I was like “What in the world! You are a big girl, Krystal. Why postpone a swim because you might have to do it alone!” The crazy thing is that I am rather comfortable “being” alone. I am a 26 year old, single female. I live alone and most of my friends have families to attend to. So, I am rather accustom to being alone. It is the “doing” alone that gets me. I try to throw myself out of my comfort zone on occasion and MAKE myself do things alone. Even when I feel like I might hyperventilate from the anxiety I get from the thought.

    Example…I recently learned that I really like Sushi. I had only been twice and never alone. I made myself go into a Sushi Bar on my own to have a go at it. They handed me this menu to mark down my choices and I started FREAKING out because I had no clue what anything was. I hate looking ignorant, by the way. There is that pride thing! So, as I sat glancing nervously over and over the menu, I looked over and saw that the guys beside me had a Nikkon Camera. I had just come from purchasing my own. I had been so excited about getting the camera because it meant the possibility of learning the art of photography that I totally forgot myself and was like “HEY!!! Is that a Nikkon!” To make the story a little shorter, in the end, the decision to take that step alone resulted in my meeting of two very interesting guys. One a photographer and one a musician. It was awesome. AND they even helped me with my sushi crisis! Lol.

    Wow that was a bit off the path I was heading. Anyway, all of this makes me think of the line from Chris McCandless’s Journal. I recently read “Into the Wild” I am going to assume that you have probably heard his story. After all of his effort to be solitary and go at life on his own terms. One of the last things that he wrote in his journal was “HAPPINESS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED” I don’t even think that I have come to a point with this but….that’s it. =)

  • Laura

    Ahhh…makes me miss my cat! Have a great day, Allison.

  • http://www.myspace.com/shinefloyd_luigi shinefloyd / luigi

    ooohhhhh…
    meoooow…. miauuuu… LOL

    the cats… always are funny.
    enjoy and learn with “Bosley”.

    Take care.

  • Tabby chapman

    I just posted pics of my two cats on facebook. I have one other cat who will join us soon… the main difference is that I care too much about small petty things, whereas they are as cool as .. a cucumber. hehe.

  • Tabby chapman

    @Karen – lol that was random! I’m kinda afraid of them.

  • taylor nikole

    we can use @ signs now tabs????
    its like twitter hahahah :D

  • arash

    We are getting high-tech here, I am just gonna try “Report comment to administrators” Just out of curiousity sorry for inconvenience.

  • taylor nikole

    i wanted to report tabs comment to herself
    muahah :D

  • Beth

    I have a cat too. Last year she brought a rat through the cat door on her way back into the house. Two weeks ago she brought in a mouse. Parents were away for the weekend, had to deal with that one myself. Lol. Something to look forward to Allison. Bosley and Phantom getting along?

    I love cats. That was a funny post.

  • Silvia

    Hi Allison,

    That’s a great posting of yours. I loved my cats too, but then I got allergic and had to give them away :-( . After that I had some other pets and later I had a dog who died of a brain tumour last year :-( . However, you made an interesting listing. I don’t know your cat, but in general view I have to disagree in a few points…

    - creating
    Our pets can create too. Just take a look at your curtains or other things your pet handled. And yes, they can literally be aware of what they do.

    - laughing
    Our pets can’t laugh as like as we do, but they can grin… even laugh at us by grinning.

    – fall in and out of love
    Our pets can do this as well as we do.

    - crying
    Animals can cry. They don’t do it with tears. Yet they can cry… e.g. dogs whine/howl.

    - failing
    Since animals have the ability to plan things, they are also able to fail.

    - live in way that is so rich and full
    Some of our pets do this as well.

    - reading
    OK, that’s true, animals can’t read… although…. there are some chimpanzees which can do some sort of reading, but in another way than we do.

    xo
    Silvia

Newer Comments →