I've actually been thinking about this question a lot lately. I used to hear people say, Oh, I'm a dog person, or, Oh, I'm a cat person, and I would silently comment, Why choose? I am both!
I grew up with dogs. My parents were of a generation that still believed cats were almost vermin. Most of their peers did not understand the appreciation we have for cats. So, we had dogs. And I love dogs! They make me smile. There's something about a happy dog that just makes me grin!
But in my adult life I have always had cats. And lately I have had to acknowledge to myself that while, yes, I still love dogs and value them as creatures and companions, I do prefer cats. None of this is rational of course nor can it be argued in any meaningful way, but I do have my reasons!
One reason is that cats really do not require quite the care level dogs do. Cats do not need to be taken for walks and they can get quite enough exercise inside if the set up is appropriate. But they are affectionate, and even though they can be quite loving they never seem quite as clinging as dogs can be. I find cats to be very beautiful also. Oh yes, dogs are lovely too! But cats are exquisite, to my eye.
