Cats/Dogs Pros and Cons

First off, I would like to say we all have different likes and dislikes. Its natural to have dislikes, but you have to realise that someone can feel completely different and its just as true for them. (A good example of this philosophy would be its fine to dislike music, but its unfair to expect others to dislike music you do, beauty in the eye of the beholder)

So, I have a cat, I have never owned a dog, so, that's my bias.

Ok so lets go.

Cats
Pro:Low Maintence
Chill
Affectionate
Trainable
Doesn't need constant attention

Cons:
I kind of get the impression my cat usually thinks me of a nuscance he has to put up with, mildly affectionate at times.
If its indoor, you have to deal with cat crap or it stinks up your house.
If not spayed or neuterd it may spray, smell worse, go into heat and bug the # out of you, or worse, make more of itself.
Can be moody, some cats will take revenge on you if you leave for days at a time.
Like all pets, may caus you more money on medicle bills.
Dies

Dogs
Pros:
A dog is your companion in a way no other pet can.
Energetic (a con for me, I'm pretty lazy, but not everyone is)
I know theres alot more, but I've never been there for the "family" dog moments, just seeing friends, so I really don't know.
Can be very easy to train

Cons:
Dies.
Have to clean up #.
Kills your lawn.
Can be very hard to train.
Needs attention, will become evil if ignored.
Barks


So, theres never really a better pet. It's all perspective.

I don't know, its late, I'm rambling, whatever.

I grew up with having cats for about 20 years, I love them. I am rather bias, especailly when my neighbors have badly trained dogs

Cats:
Pro:
Beyond litter training, no training is required
If needed can, fend for itself outside on its own
Owner is a mother figure to them
Very expressive with tails/ears/wiskers to aid in communication. Even with limted vocal methods. In fact I was able to reconize 8 differant sounds as a form of communication. Food, water, Where are you?, I cant go to the bathroom cause the litter box is a mess, I want to go out, I want to come in, It is good to see you/I missed you, I am really upset
Cleans self
Not restricted by the many "dog laws" requiring leashes
COvers spoor
Purrs
Loves to cuddle and get pettings

Cons:
Shedding
Hard to impossible to teach them 'tricks' unless they want to do them first
Having to clean the litter box
sometimes tries to bring wildlife into house
Sharp claws used on furniture


Dogs
Pro
DOgs are very loyal
Treat owner as Alpha male of pack.
Fairly easy to train
dont shed as much as cats

Con
Need to give them bath
Need to give them exercise
Need to pick-up after #2
Have to train them in order to have a well behaved dog
Must be strict with dog since owner is alpha male.

I just know I have a bunch of cats sponging off my good will.
I have four cats....

I can't cook without them watching me.....
I can't eat without them wanting some of my food.....
I can't sleep without them ALL climbing onto the bed with us.......
I can't sit on the toilet without one of the pawing at the door to get in.......
I can't lie in a tub of hot water without cats sitting on the side of the bathtub......

I love them though, they are part of the family and I never feel self-conscious in front of them.

How to give your Cat a Pill:

1. Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrive cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear
paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of 10.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe.
Call spouse from garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, holding front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold cats head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep
shattered figurines from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with its head just visible from below spouse's armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat's mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges.
Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetnus shot. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Call fire department to retrieve cat from tree across the road.
Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid
cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.

13. Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind
tightly to leg of dining table. Find heavy duty pruning gloves from
shed. Force cat's mouth open with small wrench. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour 1/2 pint of water down throat to wash pill down.

14. Get spouse to drive you to emergency room; sit quietly while
doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from
right eye. Stop by furniture shop on way home to order new table.

How to give your Dog a Pill:

1. Wrap it in bacon.

I've given pills to both cats and dogs, you're sooooo right.
For the laugh I just had, you get one of these:

You have voted Benevolent Heretic for the Way Above Top Secret award. You have two more votes this month.

I find with cats that if you miss it on the first try, you wait till later and let the cat mellow out.
On the first try, shove that pill as far down its throat as you can. If you get it past that little hump they make at the back of their tongue, they have to swallow it.
Watch out for yack-back, they have an amazing ability to regurgitate.