Cat People, Dog People

For sometime now, it has been my theory that there are dog people and there are cat people. You will be forgiven for thinking that I am about to enter the dreaded pet zone, for I am not. (Personally, and for the record, I like both: have a cat but really like dogs too.) No, it's simply that I find it useful to think of people as being more like dogs or more like cats. It's the temperament thing that I am onto here.

Here's just one example of a difference that we all know between the two animals. You open the door for your cat, he sits and stares and takes his time over his decision, and you never know what it will be. Nor does he. You open a door for your dog and she bounds out full steam ahead, possibly yipping and yapping but certainly wagging her tail furiously and eager to explore with vigour and enthusiasm.

Well, don't you think that people tend to be one way or t'other too? When we arrived in Vancouver Cuppa was acting very dog-like. She was immediately stimulated by the new sights and sounds, remarking on the size of the hedges, the beauty of the blooms, the gargantuan trees, and the greenness of the vegetation. Soon, she was taking pictures. She'd look to her right and snap a photo; same thing to the left. Look, snap; look, snap. Pant, pant; wag, wag.

Meanwhile, ole cat-like AC was warily regarding his new surroundings. "Hmmm ... what do I think of this? What about that? Do I like it or not ... hmmm? Well, I just don't know. I just wish that doggie person over there would just settle down a bit and give me time to assess. I need to chill, y'know. Let me lick my paws and wash for awhile and let things soak in. Good grief lady, we'll be here for weeks, do you have to wear out your camera in the first half hour?"

And that's how it goes, especially in a new situation. She wags her metaphorical tail with gusto, while I find a quiet corner in which to lick, wash and observe.

It was even a little bit that way being with The Girls. Everyone and every couple has a different style of being in this world, and it took the old guy just a little while to lock into and be comfortable with their way. Of course, I did: just had to get used to their ways.

As you well know, we are really speaking of extroverts and introverts, but the pet analogy really helps me. I think it works well. It's a dog of a world out there, but we pussy cats have our strengths ... and can be very affectionate and purr right in your ear.

Which are you?