Cats -vs- Dogs

Pet owners typically fall into one of two categories. Dog people or cat people.

Dogs are loyal, loving companions but at a price. Dogs are high maintenance. They need to be bathed, walked, and they require constant attention and discipline. They will come when called and sit at your feet, waiting to be petted. They will take a lot of abuse and mistreatment and still keep coming back, always looking at you with those big puppy dog eyes, begging for love.

Cats are affectionate but on their own terms. They are the low maintenance pet. They don't need bathing, or walking. They rarely come when called (unless its accompanied by the sound of their food container being rattled). They won't tolerate as much abuse, and become wary if mistreated. A content cat, however, will come to settle on your lap after a day of adventures, rewarding your attention with a hearty purr.

Dog people who get cats are typically unsatisfied. They feel unfulfilled, their pet never around when they want it. Cat people who get dogs are often overwhelmed by the neediness their pet displays.

Despite their fundamental differences, the one thing that cats and dogs do have in common is that they both require loving owners to be happy.

I went to Sir and asked him to be my Owner. I do not think at that time he knew what type of pet I was going to be. He knew what type of woman I am, but how does that translate into a D/s relationship? I wonder, are most Dominants dog people?

I think about my cat, currently wandering across my lap, rubbing against me, trying to gain my attention, purring loudly. For a cat he is quite placid, and will tolerate being picked up and carried around for the most part, but if he really does not want to be petted he will get out the claws and protest till I put him down.

I love my Owner. I love the way he cares for me. There are many aspects of my life where I am grateful for his control and dominance, and I take great comfort and security in being owned. But there are some aspects that I need to have control of, for my own identity, my own sense of wellbeing. Perhaps it is just teething pains and in time I will be able to surrender everything to him, but I doubt it. I think in the world of pets, I am a lot more like a cat than a dog, and will always seek some independence.

Sir and I talked extensively this week and I think we have a better understanding of each other. I am glad that we are still on this journey, and that we are working towards our respective roles. He backed away from being dominant entirely for a few months, and I have asked that when he is ready that he start "tugging my leash" again. I have no doubt that we can make this work, in our own way.