I am a dog person. I do not get cats. I do not mean that I object to them. It is just that I do not understand their appeal. All they seem to do is lie around all day (leave aside their use as very good mousers; a lot of people like them just as pets). Dogs are high maintenance. They have to be regularly walked and brushed. You cannot just leave them when you go away. They like to roll in disgusting stuff. In exchange, though, you get loyalty and affection. Cats are a lot less trouble, but what do you get from them?

I admit this post is partly an excuse to blog a picture of my dog, Asta. (Yes, I like both the book and the movie.)

Asta

Asta looks like a charmer. But I take exception with your assertion that cats do nothing but lie around.

Our Burmese Fergus taught himself to play fetch, and loves being slapped and rolled around and roughhoused like a dog. He also chases the other cats and makes their lives miserable: he's our apartment sized Rottweiler.

Pooka is ready to groom the whole world. Now. Right now. Whenever you dare pet her -- she's very silky, and will purr as soon as you look at her, so petting her is very tempting -- she will insist on returning the favour many times over. (My husband once suggested sticking a battery up her ass and marketing her as a cuddly Epilady, but I explained that this would be cruel. Don't people suffer enough from the regular Epilady?)

Maggie is the most catlike of the three, as she neither fetches nor expends too much energy trying to make us happy. But she's also the most soothing. I don't know how to explain how relaxing and reassuring it is to see her find yet another comfortable place to sleep. We spent over $2000 this year to treat her hyperthyroid illness and we don't regret a penny.

They lie around all day, yes. Looking beautiful, or elegant, or just cute, and very comfortable. This is soothing. It is very hard to remain tense while stroking or just looking at a sleeping cat. Dogs are not relaxing. Dogs don't purr.

Cats are affectionate and loyal, but you have to earn their trust. Dogs love people no matter what, even if people beat them and starve them. No cat would put up with that. Cats do not stay with unkind, angry, cruel people. You have to be damn good to deserve a cat's love and loyalty.

My persians require daily brushing, as well as ongoing attention. In fact, they demand affection. And, they roll in stinky stuff too.