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It's often been said that men like dogs and women like cats. I've also heard it said that only women and gay men like cats. I'm not a woman nor am I gay so I don't presume to speak for either. But from a male point of view, I do love cats and think the world would be a much less pleasant place to live, without them. Oh, don't get me wrong, I love dogs and have had some wonderful one's throughout my life. Who can resist a loving dog running up to greet you as you get out of the car, finally home from a tough day at work. He (or she) is often so happy that they literally jump up and down with joy as you give them a fond rub behind the ears and start for the house. Their love is as obvious as it is genuine. No this article is, in no way anti dog as they are magnificent animals in their own right.

Still, cats have a special place in my heart that no other animal can share. As I write this, my cat, Punkie, is asleep a few feet from my desk in a cardboard box half full of crushed newspaper. I can hear my fellow cat lovers now saying, "Well, seems like you could have provided a better place than that for her to sleep". Before you get too upset, please know that Punkie has her own plush cat bed, not to mention assorted couches, chairs and a queen size bed, on which to sleep. The cardboard box came about quite by accident. When I left my last office job about five months ago (I now work out of my home), I brought some personal things home in a cardboard box. Since some of the items were fragile, I individually wrapped them in newspaper before placing them in the box. Arriving home, I took the box into my office, unpacked it, threw the newspaper back into the box and placed it, still open, in a corner of the office, thinking I'd dispose of it later that day or the next. I never got the chance. Punkie immediately claimed it as her new daytime sleeping place and I just haven't had the heart to move it since. I spend a good part of every day in my office and Punkie is usually there sleeping in her box. Oh yes, make no mistake about it, it's her box. It was mine when I brought it home, but it's her's now.

I've had five cats in my adult life, Punkie and four others who have passed away. I still miss the ones who have gone and think of them with fond and loving memories. Why is it that people have such great memories, and keep photographs, of cats who have been gone for years (much in the same manner they would for a departed friend or family member)? I believe I have the answer. A cat who has been a member of your household for years has become both a friend and a family member. They've gained our trust just as we've gained theirs. We've loved them and they've loved us back. They've been there through the good times and the bad. When they die, our grief is often just as genuine as it would be if they were human. No, I'm not placing pets and other animals on an equal footing with humans. But I do believe they deserve our respect, love, humane treatment and our grief when they die. And it's OK to cry (man or woman) when they're gone

No one ever really owns a cat because their natures says, "I'm what I am and that's just the way it is.". I prefer the word guardian rather than owner when it comes to cats as I think it portrays a much clearer picture of our relationships with them. One of the best examples of cat/person relationships I've ever know is one that a friend of mine has. She's been the "Guardian" of a ten year old male cat since he was a kitten. The word, Guardian, applies to her like no one I've ever known before. She's fortunate to have quite a well paying job. I mention this because in the course of her cat's life she's spent well over $20,000 on him, mainly for medical treatment. He's been sickly since he was young with heart problems, allergies, diabetes and a few other ailments and she has seen him through each and every one. She must give him shots twice a day which she does without fail. To see him run around her house, he looks like a typical cat, but I know without her love, care and money, he would not be with us today. I'm sure there are people who would find great fault in spending $20,000 on a pet and surely must think this is a woman with no other life. Nothing could be farther from the truth. She's a well rounded and quite talented business person. Others will say, "Why that money could have been put to good use on this or that or whatever". She did put it to good use by preserving the life of a cat that she loves dearly. She's formed a special bond with her cat, partly, I'm sure, because of his illnesses. The dedication she's shown towards one frail cat reflects her strength of character. She's a good person and she's my good friend.

Punkie, on the other hand, is nearing fourteen and according to the vet, is still quite healthy. I know she can't last forever, but I sincerely hope she has some good and comfortable years left in her. She's my long time friend and companion and because of her, and all other cats, the world truly is a better place to live than it would be without them.

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Addendum
July 24, 2007

Punkie is Gone

Towards the close of 2006, Punkie, unable to see or (in her final few days) walk, had to be gently put to sleep by our wonderful and very kind vet.  She was in no pain and on her last morning, after being taken to her food dish, enjoyed a hearty meal before being driven to the vet.  I cried at her loss and I still think of her often and miss her. We have many good pictures of her, but it's her memory we will always cherish the most.  Punkie was 20 years old and she was my friend.  I mourn her loss, but celebrate the 20 good years of her life.

We have two cats now, Lucy, a wonderful 9 year old gray cat who has been with us since she was a kitten and Susie, a beautiful tortoise shell color, also nine years old, who came to live with us only last week. Susie was in the loving home of a single lady who is moving cross country and, for several reasons, was unable to take Susie with her.  We are happy to be able to add her to our family.  Both Lucy and Susie are adorable, loving cats.  We spoil them both, as we do all cats who have lived in our home, and we see they have healthy food, love, and quality health care. As we did for Punkie, we are doing, and will do everything in our power to insure that both have long and happy lives.  We wouldn't know how to do it any other way.

Is there room for still one more cat in our home?  My wife and I have talked about the possibility of adding a kitten, so after Susie has settled in and feels comfortable, maybe, just maybe........

©2000, 2007 by Ken Kreps. This article may not be re-published in electronic or print media without the express written permission of the author. All rights reserved.