The common story I hear among animal lovers is something along the lines of, ” Yeah, I grew up with eight Huskies, two chickens, five goats and fifteen cats.” *blinks my eyes a few times* Okay, well, perhaps that’s an exaggeration. But my point is, I feel so different because my past is not one filled with animals. Imaginary dogs and Beanie Babies were the only canines I grew up with. Yet here I am, making a living by writing about dogs.
I grew up with a cat. That’s right – ONE cat. I spent my childhood in the suburbs of Indianapolis, where pretty much no one in my tight knit neighborhood had dogs…at least not that I can remember. I had been chased by dogs a few times and I remember my cousin getting bitten by the neighbor dog, and it was because of this that I grew up terrified of dogs. By the time I was a teenager, however, I realized I was missing out because I didn’t have a canine companion. Now as I approach 30 years old, I’m a pet blogger and I write about dogs a majority of the time. But I have a confession: I’m not a dog person.
Since I was raised around Koos, a beautiful Calico cat, I’ve had a soft spot for kitties my whole life. In fact, I’ll probably always have a cat. Right now I have three and it’s no secret that I’d love to adopt more cats.
I write about dogs because the love of my life is a Chihuahua. I did have a “heart cat” Edison, whom I lost four years ago. If he was still around, I may have been a cat blogger instead. Who knows. But I do a lot with my dogs. Travel, shop, eat at restaurants, go to play dates. I live my life as a dog mom just as a human mom lives her life. It made sense that I became a “90% dog blogger, who blogs about cats when the mood strikes.”
Because Dog Mom Days is my livelihood, people assume I’m a dog person. DOG MOM! HELLO! You MUST be a dog person.
Wrong.
I’m not a dog person. I’m an animal person.
I love dogs. But I love cats equally. I just love them…differently. I also love Guinea pigs, hamsters, horses, donkeys, reptiles, exotic birds, ferrets, fish, and the list goes on. I appreciate households that welcome several species as family members. Love is love, right?
People always ask me, “You must prefer ONE over the other, don’t you?” (Speaking of the great old dogs vs. cats debate). “No, not really. I love dogs and cats the same.”
Is it hard to comprehend? For some people, yes, it is. Many people enjoy cats because they are independent and low maintenance. Others love dogs because of their ability of love unconditionally. Everyone has their reasoning, and I enjoy hearing why people feel the way they do.
The fact of the matter is, I’m not a dog person. I’m not a cat person. I’m a “whatever creature I fall in love with because I adore all animals” person. Society has put this idea into our heads that we must gravitate toward one species over the other, but that’s simply not the case for me.
I have an indescribable bond with Wynston, but I had the same with my cat Edison. In fact, I’m currently growing that type of bond with my Siamese cat, Leila. If I could travel with Leila and take her to play dates, I absolutely would. I love her SO much. While I consider myself a dog mom, I also call myself a cat mom, I just don’t express it as loudly.
If I had to choose between dogs or cat, I simply couldn’t. How about you? Do you consider yourself a dog or cat person?
(This art by Sarah Anderson describes me perfectly!)
Andrea says
A dog mom for sure. I had a kitty as therapy pet, but I wanted a pup. The doctor said a pup would have been too much for me at the time – a cat would be “…more independent…” during my recovery.
Amanda says
Oh I’m definitely a dog mom also. That’s how I classify myself. I just don’t limit myself to being a “dog person.”
Eliza says
You and I are so similar! I felt like you were writing my story in this post! Love it!
Camille says
I feel exactly the same way as you do! I remember when I was around 4 years old being equally fascinated with the insects, birds, frogs, and snakes outside as I was with my own dog and cats. There were no “favorites” – I loved every part of the animal kingdom.
Although I have to disclose that there is one animal I would never be able to share my home with. As a card-carrying arachnophobe, although I respect tarantulas and appreciate their unique beauty, I would never be able to sleep at night if I had to share space with one!!
Lauren Miller says
While I like dogs and have a few favorites, I LOVE my dogs and tolerate other people’s dogs. 😛 That kind of happens when you’ve worked too long in the industry. I’m also an animal person and don’t favor one species over another.
Marjorie at Dash Kitten says
With the amount of stuff I read about dogs, maybe I am a cat person, because dogs seem to need so much more looking after!
OK Me Cat Mom, You Animal Mom – Yeah that sounds good!
Kelly says
Growing up horses were my passion, I lived and breathed horses. I say my horses were replaced by dogs and cats , because living in the city it would be frowned upon stabling a horse in my backyard 😉 I see myself as an ALL animal lover.
Beth says
Hopefully, you can start taking Leila on some adventures as well!
I’ve lived with a lot of different species and really enjoyed all of them, including our cat. One day I hope to get another bird.
Heather Wallace says
I think you make some great points. Our culture loves to put things in a box and file it away so they can understand it. Why should we have to pick one species over another? I write about horses and dogs. Despite not yet having my own horse I confess I do love horses as a species more than any other animal. But I love my dogs Gonzo and Beau like family and could not imagine life without them. There is enough love to share amongst all living beings. Except spiders. I respect them and yet am terrified.
Rochelle says
I love dogs, and am definitely a dog person — but when I moved into my first post-college apartment, I fell in love with my roommate’s cat. Dogs are my first and strongest love, but I do appreciate and love the kitties! I love just being an “Animal Person ” 🙂
Debbie says
I like your style 🙂 I would normally say that I’m a dog person, but in all honesty, I’m a “living thing that needs me” person. I’ll drive 2 hours to a wildlife rehab clinic because I found a hurt bird or an injured bunny. I’ll snuggle baby goats and pigs if I get the chance. My husband likes to say that I fall in love with every animal I meet and he’s right.. lol. I write about my dogs because they travel and hike and camp with me, but I love my cat just the same. Someday we’ll have chickens and goats and donkeys, and then I’ll be a dog/cat/chicken/goat/donkey person 🙂
Kamira Gayle says
LOL. Ok you got me fooled. From the name of your site to the profile pic, I totally would have guessed you were a DOG PERSON. We are more alike that I would imagine. Yep, I’m an animal lover but have an affinity for cats for sure. Overall I love animals more than people! So there!
Sonja of Montecristo Travels says
I am vegan for moral reasons so … animal person 100%. I don’t do species-ism. I get it. I am just as likely to fall in love with a little pig, or a sweet cow, or a baby goat (have you SEEN goat yoga? I hate yoga but just might have to try that!) as I am to love a dog or cat. I’ve had cats at home – oh and guinea pigs an a hamsters – and a parotlette – I also had a snake. My Gran always had dogs (Belgian Bouvier, German Shepherds and Royal Poodles) and all summer I would indulge in wonderful “with dog” play. My heart now beats for tiny Montecristo (like yours a Chihuahua). He’s my fur kid. My cross species adoption. But I love all creatures. Even the dang bugs. Well… ok maybe not ALL the bugs. Working on that. LOL
Paroma Chakravarty says
Growing up in Kolkata, the second largest city in India (I am talking about 12 million people!), I used to be terrified of dogs because of strays and because my mom was bit by one (she successfully transmitted the fear to me). I moved to USA at 22 and met my husband in San Francisco when I turned 30 and he had a dog! That dog, my Babu, changed my world and showed me what I had been missing all this while! My life revolves around Babu now.
Cathy Armato says
Amanda I have to say that when I read the title of this post I was like Whaaaaat?? LOL! But I can totally relate, I am also an animal lover. I love all animals and if I could I’d have rescue everythings! I love your story though, how you never had a dog before and then found Wynston who totally changed, & I’m sure rocked your world. My husband always loved cats but never had a dog in his life until I convinced him to get our Husky, Icy. I grew up with every kind of animal my mom allowed (and sometimes didn’t exactly Allow) into the house! I lost my beautiful heart cat, Maggie in 2013 after nearly 19 amazing years. People often think I’m not a cat person because I blog about dogs, but I’ve had more cats in my life than I can count and I adore them just as much as dogs & every other animal. Great post, thanks for sharing!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Shelby Gottschalk says
I love this post! We can be BOTH! I consider myself an animal person too, even though I blog about my 2 pups. I love cats too! I also love wolves, pandas, tigers, ect. Love your insight, girl!
Lola The Rescued Cat says
I have to tell you, I really love this post! It’s so refreshing to hear a blogger refer to herself as an “animal person”. I only grew up with cats, so I do identify with being a cat lady. But I just adore my niece’s dog, who literally jumps for joy every time he sees me. He sits at my feet waiting for me to rub his belly. If I owned my own home I’d most likely own a dog in addition to my two cats.
Shannon Adams says
That last little cartoon was so funny, lol. And the shot of you and your little guy is precious! I get what you’re saying. We are a multi-pet house, with mostly dogs but one cat, a turtle, bird, fish. We love them all!
Sandy Kubillus says
I’m a dog person. I’ve always had dogs and grew up with them. I’ve never had a cat. I had a rabbit for a while and the dog and the rabbit played together. But when that rabbit died and I got another, she didn’t play with my dog and became a chore, so I gave her to a friend. I guess that means I’m not an animal person – unless the animals play with my dog!
Jodi M. Clock says
I’m with you. I have 3 cats and 3 dogs and don’t favor one over the other. Love your graphics.
Allison says
Great article! Like you, I’d consider myself an animal lover. I grew up with dogs, then had guinea pigs, and now have mostly cats. I’ve loved them all.
Wynston is adorable! A friend of mine loves Chihuahua.
Have you heard of Adventure Cats? Maybe Leila would enjoy some traveling time with you too?
Amanda says
I haven’t heard of Adventure Cats! I’m going to look into it! Leila is a scaredy cat. I wish she liked people more. I tried to socialize her as a kitten but it didn’t have the effect that I wanted. Positive reinforcement just didn’t work with her! I’d LOVE to travel with her.
Sweet Purrfections says
I spent the first 19 years of my life with dogs. I’ve had cats the past 42 years with cats. I really like dogs, but my lifestyle didn’t allow it the past 20 years. I don’t know if I’ll ever have a dog again, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like them.
Pawzcrossed says
Love this post! This is so me, I love my dogs to death and wouldn’t trade them but, am I actually a dog person? I am more of a rabbit/cat person and would prefer to adopt more cats but I am so at my limit!
Ruth Epstein says
When growing up we had dogs, hamsters, gold fish, white mice, and the list can go on, when living in Israel I had cats, and now in the States I have a dog, what I am, like you an animal person. Yes I am Layla’s Mom but I love all animals
Happy-Go-Doodle says
Thanks for you post and for sharing the smile-bringing cartoon, too! I’m proud to be a dog mom, but I love cats, and guinea pigs, and hamsters, etc. too! They’re all little heart stealers!
Joely Smith says
Exactly!! I am also an animal person and I fall in love easily for all animals. Good for you! I love reading and writing about all creatures furry, scaly, feathered. Beautiful post!
Dear Mishu says
That’s beautiful — all living things deserve our respect. ALthough I’ve got to say, I’m not a “cat” dog…. Good for you that your heart is so big!
Karen says
I like and share your point of view. To be honest, I prefer the company of animals to people. I make my living caring for both dogs and cats, love both, but I relate better to cats, our personalities are more alike. If forced to choose, though, I would say all of the above, because that’s the truth!
Jana Rade says
I think most dog lovers are animal persons. Though I do consider myself a dog person quite strongly in the sense that dogs take preference over other animals.
Shayla says
Lol, I am the same way! I had one cat at a time as I grew up, and now I’ve been a dog trainer for 11 years! I didn’t have dogs growing up! While I love them all, dogs are about all I can handle lately lol ??❤️