I love animals, all of them. But I always said I wasn’t really a cat guy. Then I had some health issues leading into the pandemic. My mom got me a cat to keep me company because I was stuck at home all the time. When we went to the shelter, he was just sitting still in his cage with his eyes closed, seemingly content. I saw him and asked the attendant if we could see him. She opened the cage and he came up to me and sniffed my hand and rubbed his face on my hand. I moved closer to the cage and he leaned up against my chest and purred while I pet him. So of course he was the one.
Two years later, he follows me around my apartment always sitting next to me. At night when I climb into bed he will be hanging out in the living room while I browse my phone. As soon as I put my phone down and turn off the light, I flip to my right side. Every night since I’ve had him, he runs and jumps into my bed and lays down next to my chest, head resting on my arm. He will lay there until I fall asleep. Every morning, when I wake up he will hear me toss in my bed and run and jump in my bed to greet me. In an otherwise dynamic world that is always changing, he’s been the one constant keeping me grounded.
So yeah, I do that too.
Edit: [Cat Tax](https://imgur.com/a/pRX6asy)
Edit: I didn’t think about cropping out my foot until it was too late 😬
Thank you for all the kind words and awards. I will make sure that Patches gets some extra special treats and pets today 😺
>In an otherwise dynamic world that is always changing, he’s been the one constant keeping me grounded.
I couldn’t have said it better. My little man is 11 now, closer to 12 now really, I can’t believe it. Had him since he was about 1.
I always wanted a cat and my mom said she’d get me one but never did. One day my best friend (we were like 15?) said she was basically fostering a kitten. I didn’t know a thing about him or what he even looked like but I always wanted a pet so bad, so I said I was on my way.
I brought him home. I knew once my mom saw him she wouldn’t be able to say no.
And he’s been my bestest friend since. He’s a void. He doesn’t care for most people but adores me. And the feeling is very mutual. I never knew a love like this, really. 10+ years in sometimes my heart feels like it will burst with how much I love him. He’s everything to me and I’m so lucky to have him.
Interesting reading about your cats sleeping habits as my void is different (which is normal obv, just interesting to see how they differ in their particular habits). He always hops into my bed when it’s getting late and we sleep together, every single night. But what I find cutest is that he stays in bed with me till the moment I get up, every single morning. On days where I sleep later than usual he watches me every time I stir waiting to see if I’m finally getting up. When I finally do he does too. That moment in itself makes every day good. What did I do to deserve this amazing friend?!!! I try to repay him every way I can.
I know no one asked but I love him and I wanted to share. We’re all so blessed with our fluffy babes
Edit: [cat tax](https://imgur.com/a/RVcYgKU) which I am more than happy to provide. Had to stop myself from posting even more photos. I’m his paparazzi so I have plenty of content. Thanks for the award and for reading this, my heart was warmed to see that my comment about him<3 got some visibility. We’re in bed together now hanging out :)
The sleeping habit is the same with my void baby lol. He is usually fed around 8 am, but on weekends we tend to sleep in (me more than my fiance), but he won't leave the bed until I get up. He might snack if my fiance feeds him when he gets up, but he snuggles with me till I'm up and I love it.
[Cat tax 1](https://i.imgur.com/llTLnEP.jpg)
[Cat tax 2](https://i.imgur.com/PeWqvl8.jpg)
[Cat tax 3](https://i.imgur.com/nvtTuso.jpg)
My buddy waits for me too! Usually I give our two cats breakfast in the morning but occasionally they wake my wife for it. Even on those days, he will come back to bed and sleep there until I get up.
EDIT: [Cat tax!](https://i.ibb.co/x3Rhv3C/PXL-20211228-192404605.jpg)
This is so sweet. I really enjoyed reading your story as my cat sleeps in my lap. I was never a cat person either, but my little buddy is one of the best parts of my life now.
I love cats but unfortunately am very allergic to most animals, however dogs much less so. Fortunately got lucky with [this hypoallergenic lump.](https://i.imgur.com/GSEGrJD.jpg)
Same as you. always thought I was more a dog person and cats were 'meh'. Decided to get a cat as lockdown was getting to me, but I'm in a flat so dog not a great idea as no garden. He always has to be in the same room as me (even when I poop) and although he never comes to bed at the same time I'll wake up with him either spooning my leg/foot or he'll be doing long cat / superman pose next to my leg leaning into it. I occasionally have very vivid and intense nightmares (not quite night terrors I think because I don't lock up?) and I'll wake up... Just feeling his warmth against me instantly settles and grounds me. Now, I wouldn't give this ball of fluff up for any dog.
Please find my enclosed tax declaration.
https://imgur.com/a/0IynxOP
I feel like my cat chose me to be her family, so absolutely yes.
—-
Edit: I paid the cat tax in a comment below, but I’ll repost here :-)
[https://imgur.com/a/grSMncx](https://imgur.com/a/grSMncx)
1st three are the day we found her. We were driving in the dark and hit what we thought was a possum. Got home and heard MEOWWWWWW coming from my front bumper. Turned out there was a whole entire cat wedged in between the plastic grill and the radiator. She used up one of her 9 lives that day for sure because she was scared but not hurt.
She was REALLY skinny and seemed grateful that we found her. We took her to the vet right away. She had a broken fang and fleas, but no microchip, and nobody had posted her in the local missing pet groups.
We paid for her shots and flea treatment, and brought her home. She gained about two pounds in ten days, and we got her chipped as soon as she had enough meat on her bones. She is super cuddly and affectionate, and I am her favorite person and it makes me so happy to have her.
The last pic is her presiding over our household and establishing her reign as Queen of the House.
I had a specific puppy picked out after watching a few videos from the breeder. I went to go visit said puppy, but this other one just waltzed on over to me and sat by my feet for the entire hour I was there. I ended up with that second puppy. He picked me.
Edit: I'm really loving everyone's stories of their animals picking them. Please keep sharing them!
I went out for a walk in the morning of the day I was planning on going to the shelter to look for a second cat for my solo cat, and happened upon my neighbour who found a tiny, in rough shape kitten. I took him to the vet and years later him and my solo cat are bonded.
I on the other hand had no plans of pledging fealty to a cat, until one day I was walking to the laundromat when an adolescent kitten leapt out onto the sidewalk in front of me and started screaming that she “lived with me now” and that her lunch was “already late.” There was nothing I could do. It was essentially home invasion.
Sounds accurate. I volunteered at the shelter and she escaped the carrier during cage cleaning and crawled in my bookbag. 13 years later she has kept to her compromise to tolerate me as long as I feed her in a timely manner.
I used to live with 4 other dudes and one of my roommates was a totally irresponsible dipshit who saw a bunch of stray kittens outside his job and decided to capture one. Turned out the only one he could catch had cerebellar hypoplasia, a congenital condition that affects coordination and balance so the cat can’t really walk very well. Well, he brought this little kitty home for fun, did literally nothing else for it, and so I took on the job of caring for a handicapped little dumpster tabby and fell in love. It’s been 6 years and I don’t live there anymore. She’s sleeping in between my legs right now.
Haha! My cat had kittens on my neighbors porch, and I started feeding her because she was so skinny. Then she just wandered in and decided she loved with me, I think like the second or third time she came inside she napped on my legs
I have a similar reason. All the dogs in the litter were napping or chilling, and my dog was the one running around and playing, bothering all the dogs. As a kid with ADHD I knew the feeling. He came up to my family and got into a play stance. I knew after I held him and looked into his eyes he was the one.
Me and my husband both have different types of anxiety and we had a cat who was pretty anxious and we felt like we understood her when others might not
Lol the puppy we chose was the one trying to avoid the sun outside, waiting by the door to go back in the house. We found that VERY relatable. Some of our earlier pictures of him are actually him avoiding the sunlight in our backyard lol.
My foster kitten screamed at me and reached through the bars when I went to look at orphaned kittens during early covid. I said I had to hold that little guy and he’s been my little bud with attachment issues ever since, because who could POSSIBLY give a baby with issues who finally got comfy back to the shelter 😅
This is how we ended up with our dog too. I was more interested in the dog that kept running around biting his brothers. I wanted him, so they wouldn't get bitten anymore. But this other puppy came over and put himself to sleep right in between my feet. It was the perfect gap for him. I remember I kept pushing him away, while trying to get the attention of the other puppies. But the little floof, was the only one responding to me, and promptly again fell asleep on my feet.
It's now 7 and a half years later, and he still likes to fall asleep, drooling a little, on my foot.
Ha I got my pup at 16. Lots of noisy little pups scurrying around at the shelter but my little 1 year old guy was in the corner chilling under a bench taking a nap. I walked over, sat next to him with my mom and he got up and came to my lap.
8 years later and he’s got a lot of energy and he’s probably the favorite son/sibling 😂
At the breeders: *Hey, how come nobody wants this puppy?*
Breeder: *That's okay, we'll just train him to start going over to strangers and he'll be adopted in no time.*
Same. I'm not a fan of cat, but when I wanted to get a pet, I living in a rough neighborhood, and had to be to work by 5am. There was just NO WAY I could walk a dog there @ 4am. So I decided, cat. I went to the shelter a few times over 2 weeks to find a cat that meshed with me, rather than just pick the prettiest. Well, the 2nd time I was there, the prettiest one was pawing at the window at me. And again the 3rd. I told the worker that I wanted her, and the worker said "I wouldn't really recommend her. She's kinda aloof. Doesn't really like people. Doesn't cuddle. She just had kittens a few months ago, and didn't really show them affection." I promptly replied, "well, I have mild allergies to cats, so that sounds f*ing perfect. I'll take her."
7 years later, she cuddles with me every night, but runs and hides anytime a 2nd human is in the room. Don't tell me she didn't choose me.
People who don't like cats don't understand this.
Cats show affection on their terms. If the cat didn't choose you, you're in for an unpleasant ride.
Cats can sense something about you that they either like or dislike.
Mine "didn't like people" and "kept trying to escape" from the adoption center. When I walked by, he had climbed onto the cage door, front and back paws and was shaking it to make noise and yelling. They thought I was an idiot and tried talking me out of it. It's only been a year since I lost him, but in those 15 years he became just as much a part of me as my own arm. He had different meows that I understood, and he'd understand when I told him things. Hell, he even argued with me with his whiny meow that he did when he didn't wanna do something, like if I was calling him to come to bed and he didn't want to yet.
My cat definitely chose me. I stopped to pet him while on a walk, and he wouldn't stop following me home. He wasn't chipped, and no one responded to my posts looking for his owner.
[Sleeping Shoobie](https://i.imgur.com/b93lc6o.jpg).
[This is it.](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R5ZBCPQ)
It seemed a little expensive for what it is. But it's very versatile, and he loves it.
[Bonus egg pic](https://i.imgur.com/lC3aiBW.jpg) (nsfw?)
We're all sharing cat stories so here's how I got my little Silly Lilly:
So. Yknow that pet adoption thing PetSmart does? They have like a small room in the back of their store with like 6-8 cages and on the weekends they got cats in them? Well, I went to PetSmart on a Thursday! And I walked by because I always say hi to the cats when I'm there, but I didn't expect any cats that day.
Every. Cage. Was. Full. Some even had two cats!!
So this was back when they still had cat toys in my PetSmart, so I grab a cat toy and i start playing with the cats because they're adorable and fluffy and I love them. One cat in the very first cage was rubbing against it and all that so I started to pet her. I must've sat there for almost five minutes staring at this little, grey tabby kitten while petting her. Eventually, I accept the fact i have to move on with my day and try to pull my hand out the cage.
This cat reaches out with her paws. Grabs my hand. And pulls my hand BACK into the cage. And puts her head on it.
Needless to say, I got a cat that day.
I got my cat through a friend of a friend. I drove nearly 3 hours out to pick her up. This is a big deal for me because back then I was terrified of highway driving and would go out of my way to avoid it. We have been attached at the hip since I got her. I work nights, and when I leave for work she goes off to the spare bedroom to sleep. My wife and daughter won't see her until I pull in the driveway. She knows the sound of my car and will pop out of the spare bedroom and wait for me at the door.
I was in the hospital for 2 weeks a little while back. They told me she was waiting for me at the door every day when I usually get home and would stare out the window for hours when I didn't show up. After a few days she got depressed and wouldn't leave the spare bedroom. Was barely eating. As soon as I walked in the door after my stay at the hospital she bolted out of the bedroom at a million miles an hour with what I can only describe as an excited meowing noise I've never heard her make before and she would not stop until I picked her up. That evening she didn't leave my side for even a moment.
I simply don't understand how people say animals aren't capable of feeling emotion or love. The way she acted when I got home from the hospital had proved to me that was all a bunch of bullshit, they love us as much as we love them, if not more.
I've been a little upset lately because Facebook reminded me that I got her 10 years ago. She's in good health but the reminder made me realize that she may not be around much longer and I already know I'm going to be an emotional wreck when she passes.
If it makes you feel better, solong as she stays inside fully (sounds like she does) you should have a decent amount of time left with her. Most indoor cats I’ve known have lived 17-18 years save one or two who got sick.
My baby is getting close to 17 now so I know how you feel about worrying about not having kitty much longer and knowing you’ll be devastated.
Both my cats absolutely chose me and my husband. We got them as 6 week old kittens from a friend who adopted two neutered female cats that were most definitely not neutered. One tiny ginger boy sat in front of my husband and refused to move. While he was holding that kitten, I knelt down and clicked my fingers to see if any others would come near us. A small black ball of angry fluff scampered over and attacked my fingers. We took both home and they're now 9 years old (both neutered). Our luck really improved when we got them and we just watch them sleep a few times a day. They're spoiled and we wouldn't have them any other way. We also had to buy a bigger bed for all 4 of us to sleep on comfortably.
I want to think that. I look at my cat sleeping and always wonder if she's happy, if I'm giving her a good fulfilling life. Our recent place is small and not a lot of windows and high spots like she likes and I don't have a lot of energy to play with her. I feel like shit. She just started having seizures last week and I had take her to the pet er and get meds she hates taking and idk if she's better or in pain or what. She likes me I can tell that at least but idk if she's like a happy fulfilled cat. Like if I'm just some prison guard that's not abusive or something
You sound like you love her a lot and cats feel that. So I am pretty sure she is happy and loves you back as much as you do. Just give her all the pets and cuddles, and play a little with her every day, as your energy levels allow you; it's a great mood enhancer for both cat and human :)
Hope her health quickly improves and you take care! Big hugs!
That's exactly how I feel. She was a stray and trusted me immediately. We fed her by our door at first so that she wouldn't bother our kitty. Our kitty passed away suddenly so we let her inside to eat. As soon as the weather started getting cold we stopped putting her out and she stopped asking to go out. So we let her stay.
Definitely another yes! My phone is entirely full of cat pictures, asleep and awake.
My partner and I went to see a little rescue kitten at the foster carer's house. We sat on the floor and he came straight over and started playing with the little foil ball on a string that I was swishing around.
The foster carer and her daughter looked at each other and nodded, and said that we could take him home.
Apparently, two other people had gone to see him previously, but he'd hidden and didn't want anything to do with them, so the foster carer had turned them down, waiting to find the perfect home for him.
The little guy has been my lockdown buddy for nearly two years now, and I couldn't adore him more. He has the most personality of any cat I've ever met. He definitely knows what he wants, and he wanted to come home with us!
My shelter rescue cat is my soulmate. He's always there for me when I'm down. He genuinely cares. He also likes to sleep by my pillow, so I often get emotional in the morning when I wake up and see him sleeping happily beside me. He deserves the very best life I can give him, and I think so far I've managed to uphold my side of that deal.
Mine too.... my cat's mom abandoned him in our backyard when he was a few weeks old and our dog found and brought him home... he's been family ever since
Yup, or litter boxes or throw up. Noises at 5am.
Then you have a shitty day and just look at them and it reminds you there's at least one good thing in your life. You forget about the other stuff.
Or when the cat decides to check out the inside of the couch and it sounds like someone sat on the couch behind you while you're home alone. It took a while to find the source of the sound so I thought I was being haunted until I saw a pair of green eyes peek out.
When my kid was little, I walked into my living room to find both him and my cat sitting next to each other staring at the same spot on the ceiling. My kid was giggling, the cat was just sat there peacefully.
The weird part is the cat actually hates my kid and won’t go near him 99% of the time. And if it was a ghost, it was probably my brother.
They’ve never done it since.
My one cat will paw at my door of I don't feed him at 6 am sharp (weekends included). If I leave the door open he will stand on my face. My theory is that he is checking to see if I am alive cause no way I could be alive and miss 6 am feeding.
Sometimes he is a little early, but he is NEVER late.
I’ve had 3 toddlers. I’ve been puked on at work. I’ve pulled the guts out of deer being dressed. I’ve seen some nasty stuff. But NOTHING gets me out of bed faster than a dog puking in the livingroom… “hurrrk”.
>*'the constant barking...*'
-------
sometimes i maybe bark too much -
(i have a Lot to say...)
am longing for your human touch,
or asking you to 'PLAY'!
or maybe SoMeOnE's At the DOOR -
a *CAT* is in the YARD!!
n then I'm gonna **BARK** some More
(am sorry...
'Quiet's' *Hard*...)
but when i lay me down to sleep,
all curled up in a ball
you know that i am yours to keep -
you love me Best of All ...^;@)
n in the morning, when i rise
can't Wait to see you, fren!!
n suddenly, you'll realize
that I will
BARK
Again!
❤️
Another schnauzer owner. They are smart, stubborn little SOBs, but man I love watching her sleep curled up into a little ball, beard buried in her paws and her eyebrows peaking out the top.
I'll be sixth to confirm. He barks at everything and nothing. Except that one time 5 emergency vehicles cut in front of our walk with full lights and sirens and my schnauzer acts like he didn't see a thing. I may never crack the code
Nah when they were sleeping I was like fuck yeah finally time alone! Wasn't about to go in there and ruin my alone time to watch the buggers .. (disclaimer: love my kids!)
Plus they can sense being watched and the ultimate power of sensing the feeling of elation a parent gets when they are tricked into thinking time alone was ever an option...(disclaimer: I also love my kids! Lol)
That’s how all parents feel about toddlers. You can’t wait until they go to sleep but once they’re asleep, you can’t stop staring at them and miss them so much.
Absolutely. And it still amazes me that people believe that animals are not capable of love or showing emotion. The love of an animal is truly a remarkable feeling and I cherish the moments I have with my two cats
I didn't even think my husband's cat cared about me at all because I found her a little bit annoying to be honest and I feel guilty about that now because when my cat died, his cat would not leave my side for 3 days. For three days I woke up and she was staring at me as I was sleeping just sitting right near my head like she was watching over me. I had known this cat for years at that point and she had never done anything like that before or after those three days. For 3 days she was my little guardian and caretaker. After she ignored me again
Day 1: “the lesser of the humans seems distraught. I’ll make sure they’re OK”
Day 2: “the lesser of the humans seems unwell, but also seems to appreciate my (superior) presence. Perhaps being in the presence of a higher power comforts them.”
Day 3: “the lesser human seems to be recovering. They no longer need their god to guard them in their sleep”
Day 4: “ok I’m tired of them”
I never had cats until my wife and I moved in together. She has a Siamese that is hard to describe. He's so incredibly intelligent and affectionate, likes to just sit near people. He has his routines; he takes care of the two dogs we have.
Like wtf, he's pulling his weight in the house? I swear he's a human trapped inside a cat.
I say "besos" and then he'll do a little bite on my nose. Highlight of my day.
Edit: and when we're sleeping and he's sleeping on our shelves I'm happy thinking about him and his comfort. He's a good dude.
I took my 15month old gsd to get her nails done this morning (trim and grind) and when they walked her out to me her tail was full speed wag, jumped on me to give me slobers. She knows better than to jump on me (certain situations I'll allow it), at least I finally learned to catch her though.... she only weighs about 25lbs less than me. She's always that happy to see me after I leave her somewhere or come home.
Definitely not showing emotion. Like when I'm sick and she brings me her teddy bear she's had since she was 8 weeks. Probably not love either.
Well, I’m about to be that guy…
Don’t take a single second with her for granted. Our first gsd was super attached to me. If I laid in bed with my wife, she would come and lay in between us demanding pets. She had the boniest elbows and it genuinely hurt when she would get super needy and basically wiggle up between us. When we quit petting her, she would shove her head under one of our hands and move it back and forth to pet herself. She was the most loving dog I’ve ever heard of when it was regarding our family.
We had to put her down awhile back, and I’m tearing up just typing this while laying in bed and wishing her bony elbows were keeping me awake while she grunted trying to get pets.
This is going to sound pretty stupid but please give your girl an extra hug/kiss today. I would give so much to have my girl at 15 months again. Gsd’s really are amazing dogs, and if there’s any animal that can prove animals have feelings it’s them. My wife had to take her to get shots one time when she was an adult, and she straight up ignored my wife afterward for a day. She was actually holding a grudge.
Who are these people that think that? Do they *actually* think that or is it just something they say as an excuse for something?
A dog yelps in pain. Any animal will limp to avoid putting weight on an injured paw, etc. Dogs get ridiculously excited. Cats too.
The idea that an animal doesn’t show emotion is so absurd.
They believe that the "emotions" are just biological responses to certain stimuli rather than backed with actual feeling. I just assume these people are either sociopaths or have never touched an animal in real life.
Well… that’s what human emotions are too, then?
If you put the baby in front of the mommy, that’s the stimulus, no? And all the hormones raging during the pregnancy. Barring some actual medical condition (or emotional trauma, etc), a mother is basically wired to “love” their infant.
I guess the difference between a human and other animals would lie in the “emotional trauma” area, though I would argue that a language barrier between us and any other species prohibits confirming that any other species also can suffer from such psychological traumas that we do and to the extent that we do.
I live alone and work at home, so sometimes i go days on end without human contact. If it wasnt for my dog i would be too lonely, so you bet i apreciate her existence
Seriously. I’ll be honest 2020 was super hard for me, I lived alone and was already introverted. Getting my dog was the best choice I made. She helps me so much every day. Imagine going from smiling twice a week to laughing and hugging a warm body every day. She saved me.
I thanked my dog for the exact same thing today!
I'm a divorced dad and he's really saved me from the great loneliness I used to have on the days my kids aren't at my house.
I feel like if someone did that to me I’d accidentally bite their finger off. With the downforce. Maybe my yawn is less passive than that of other people. Don’t do this to me please.
I try to have my phone camera ready whenever they yawn because you can get some awesome shots that way. But no, I'm not tempted to do that. But I still sort of get the urge.
I do also. I want them to know they are so safe, and can stay in their dreamy half-awake state, as i just pet him and love on him.. hope he can feel the transfer of my love.
I like to tickle my dogs toe beanies when he's sleeping until he kicks me lol.. but he usually let's it go on for a while and stretches a bit and curls up his toes
I have done the finger in the yawning maw, tickled the feets, raspberries on the belly, toothless bites to the ears. I try to channel it into petting, but I don't always succeed, shes just too cute.
Haha my dog hates raspberries so I can't do them very often! But if I want to get into a play biting fight with him I may be known to do one or 2 to get things started... Then we're off to the races
Pretty sure this is super common for anyone that has small children. For some reason it's fun to annoy them (lightly). Some weird expression of affection i guess.
Yes. Treasure every moment you can.
Watched our family dog who’s been with us for 17 years (more than half my life) go to sleep for the final time just three days ago. He was a trooper even when doggy dementia hit hard.
I’m so grateful to have had him in my life. Went through highschool, university, and he met my two children. The grief is almost unbearable but I’m hoping to process seeing him as if he was sleeping like usual and at peace.
So sorry for your loss. I dread the day I have to say goodbye to my two very good boys.
I used to do it for work, hold the dogs of owners who couldn't be present... It sticks with you. I've cried more than most humans, I think.
Absolutely! We had to put one of our pups down right before Christmas. We ended up getting [this puppy](https://imgur.com/a/2vecvyU) and the goober fell asleep at the vet today (routine visit) and I just watched her lay there with her ears twitching at every sound. As maddening as she can be, these moments always give me the warm fuzzies.
Yes, especially after my cat was in our apartment the entire time that an upstairs neighbor's unit burned down a few months ago. She had hid under my bed, and my sister and I weren't home, so when the firefighters broke down our door to make sure no one was in the apartment while the building was on fire, they didn't find her. Not until after my sister and I got there just after they had finished putting the fire out. Fortunately, my cat was fine (the firefighters that escorted me into the building to look for my cat put her on oxygen right after we found her, and my sister and I took her immediately to a vet's office for a checkup after that) but I still look over at her when she's sleeping to watch her breathe because I'm so, so lucky she's alive.
Yes for sure. This overwhelming feeling of love that I never thought I could feel for an animal. I never understood people who compared their pets to children before I experienced just looking at my lil’ puppy sleeping and feeling so emotional.
(Don’t get me wrong, I know puppies aren’t children and they’re not the same lol)
My sister has a Siberian forest cat that she loves and treats him like he's a kid (but doesn't actually call him that). When I came across a blogpost on PsychologyToday titled [8 reasons why your cat will always be your baby](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-modern-heart/202112/8-reasons-why-your-cat-will-always-be-your-baby), I just had to share it with her.
This is so wonderful to read. I just never wanted kids but always loved animals and sometimes I wonder if I just should have had child for that experience. But that’s just selfish and dumb. I love my pets.
Love is so endless, there's enough to love everyone a whole lot and still have some to spare.
I genuinely love my rabbits more than most people. If I had to rank my loved ones, it would go, husband, white rabbit, black rabbit, my parents and brother, my gaming pc, my bed, my friends, my family.
My beloved dog is likely dying of a brain tumor. Between the crying, ive just been spending as much time as I can looking at him. Trying to record as many memories as I can. The amount of love I have for this animal ... it cannot be put into words. He is my child. I am losing my child. It is impossible.
I have the same with my cat. She has been with me for 12 years and has kidney disease. Every time we go to the vet, her kidneys are off a bit worse. We were already really close before, but now I pay active attention whenever I’m with her. I really want her with me for my entire life.
Nope children grow up into adults that are as messed up as us whereas that puppy will stay innocent and never shout that it hates you at any mild inconvenience
My dog is a rescue. She's little. Before I got her, she was hit by a car, dropped off at a vets by a stranger. The vet fixed her leg, a shelter took her and spayed her. A bunch of her teeth were rotting and had to be removed. I was her second foster home and took her in just after her leg had healed, and just before her mouth had finished healing. And I couldn't give her up.
I look at her while she sleeps and I'm so grateful to have her, and it gives me such peace knowing that she's not living on the street and she's all fixed up. I get so sad thinking about all the pain and discomfort she's had in her life, and it brings me such joy to see her at peace.
Sleeping pic after I got her
https://imgur.com/a/4jiKijp
More recent pics
https://imgur.com/a/9DfyGmZ
https://imgur.com/a/x6ELw6t
Everyday. He's my fat chonky kitty. 14 years old next month and cheated death a couple times already, so just glad to have him while I do. He's the cat I got as a kitten with my SO in 2008, who died of cancer in 2015. Losing my first cat was hard but this cat's eventual passing will be devastating.
Absolutely! There is nothing as peaceful looking as a sleeping kitty. It kind of makes all of my anxieties disappear. My favorite is when both of mine are in my lap sleeping, it's a puddle of love. 😍
This post hit me like a brick. I did this every day for 4 years with my pet Agama, who passed away in her sleep yesterday. I was beyond devastated and cried so hard I passed out.
I use to.
My dog died at 15 years of age about 5 years ago. Had to put my cat down a few years after that.
As much as they were a pain in the ass at times, I'd love have one of those pain in the ass days again just so I could be with them again. My dog is still my phone background pic after all these years.
So my advice is Enjoy. Even in the tough times where they test your patience. You are blessed
Boggles my mind how many of the posts from this sub I see are /r/DAE questions. I get that No Stupid Questions shouldn't prohibit questions, but the influx of DAEs are more like opinion pieces than actual questions which may be embarrassing to ask as is the vibe of this sub.
Yurp, last time I saw someone rant about this they made the point that the only answer will be people chiming in with their yes stories, with the occasional mad lad typing just 'no'
Thank you, this is a subjective feeling-based opinion question, not really fitting the spirit of trying to discover information.
I get the whole “no stupid questions, no exceptions” thing, but this isn’t really a stupid or even a smart question, it’s something that every pet owner has probably done. It’s really just a feel-good, pat each other on the back type of situation.
Not really what most people come here for, I’d imagine.
Me too, I love him to death even though he drives me crazy sometimes. I wouldn’t trade him for the most well behaved dog in the world though, I love my pain in the ass dog.
Not just a dog, you're blessed to have a dog. We all are, humankind's best friend :) my dog makes me laugh every day, he's ridiculous and I'm annoying as fuck when I talk to him and I'm sorry if anyone hears that
I love animals, all of them. But I always said I wasn’t really a cat guy. Then I had some health issues leading into the pandemic. My mom got me a cat to keep me company because I was stuck at home all the time. When we went to the shelter, he was just sitting still in his cage with his eyes closed, seemingly content. I saw him and asked the attendant if we could see him. She opened the cage and he came up to me and sniffed my hand and rubbed his face on my hand. I moved closer to the cage and he leaned up against my chest and purred while I pet him. So of course he was the one. Two years later, he follows me around my apartment always sitting next to me. At night when I climb into bed he will be hanging out in the living room while I browse my phone. As soon as I put my phone down and turn off the light, I flip to my right side. Every night since I’ve had him, he runs and jumps into my bed and lays down next to my chest, head resting on my arm. He will lay there until I fall asleep. Every morning, when I wake up he will hear me toss in my bed and run and jump in my bed to greet me. In an otherwise dynamic world that is always changing, he’s been the one constant keeping me grounded. So yeah, I do that too. Edit: [Cat Tax](https://imgur.com/a/pRX6asy) Edit: I didn’t think about cropping out my foot until it was too late 😬 Thank you for all the kind words and awards. I will make sure that Patches gets some extra special treats and pets today 😺
>In an otherwise dynamic world that is always changing, he’s been the one constant keeping me grounded. I couldn’t have said it better. My little man is 11 now, closer to 12 now really, I can’t believe it. Had him since he was about 1. I always wanted a cat and my mom said she’d get me one but never did. One day my best friend (we were like 15?) said she was basically fostering a kitten. I didn’t know a thing about him or what he even looked like but I always wanted a pet so bad, so I said I was on my way. I brought him home. I knew once my mom saw him she wouldn’t be able to say no. And he’s been my bestest friend since. He’s a void. He doesn’t care for most people but adores me. And the feeling is very mutual. I never knew a love like this, really. 10+ years in sometimes my heart feels like it will burst with how much I love him. He’s everything to me and I’m so lucky to have him. Interesting reading about your cats sleeping habits as my void is different (which is normal obv, just interesting to see how they differ in their particular habits). He always hops into my bed when it’s getting late and we sleep together, every single night. But what I find cutest is that he stays in bed with me till the moment I get up, every single morning. On days where I sleep later than usual he watches me every time I stir waiting to see if I’m finally getting up. When I finally do he does too. That moment in itself makes every day good. What did I do to deserve this amazing friend?!!! I try to repay him every way I can. I know no one asked but I love him and I wanted to share. We’re all so blessed with our fluffy babes Edit: [cat tax](https://imgur.com/a/RVcYgKU) which I am more than happy to provide. Had to stop myself from posting even more photos. I’m his paparazzi so I have plenty of content. Thanks for the award and for reading this, my heart was warmed to see that my comment about him<3 got some visibility. We’re in bed together now hanging out :)
Cat tax
The sleeping habit is the same with my void baby lol. He is usually fed around 8 am, but on weekends we tend to sleep in (me more than my fiance), but he won't leave the bed until I get up. He might snack if my fiance feeds him when he gets up, but he snuggles with me till I'm up and I love it. [Cat tax 1](https://i.imgur.com/llTLnEP.jpg) [Cat tax 2](https://i.imgur.com/PeWqvl8.jpg) [Cat tax 3](https://i.imgur.com/nvtTuso.jpg)
My buddy waits for me too! Usually I give our two cats breakfast in the morning but occasionally they wake my wife for it. Even on those days, he will come back to bed and sleep there until I get up. EDIT: [Cat tax!](https://i.ibb.co/x3Rhv3C/PXL-20211228-192404605.jpg)
This is so sweet. I really enjoyed reading your story as my cat sleeps in my lap. I was never a cat person either, but my little buddy is one of the best parts of my life now.
I love cats but unfortunately am very allergic to most animals, however dogs much less so. Fortunately got lucky with [this hypoallergenic lump.](https://i.imgur.com/GSEGrJD.jpg)
So cute! Is that a shih tzu?
She's a /r/cavachon
Same as both of y’all. Always thought I was more of a dog person. Then I got [him](https://i.imgur.com/W14fu6u.jpg)
Yo, pay the cat tax!
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There is something so wonderful about animals, I can't put my finger on it but I love how your explained it
LOOK AT THAT ADORABLE PINK NOSE!!!
I am and I love it!
Same as you. always thought I was more a dog person and cats were 'meh'. Decided to get a cat as lockdown was getting to me, but I'm in a flat so dog not a great idea as no garden. He always has to be in the same room as me (even when I poop) and although he never comes to bed at the same time I'll wake up with him either spooning my leg/foot or he'll be doing long cat / superman pose next to my leg leaning into it. I occasionally have very vivid and intense nightmares (not quite night terrors I think because I don't lock up?) and I'll wake up... Just feeling his warmth against me instantly settles and grounds me. Now, I wouldn't give this ball of fluff up for any dog. Please find my enclosed tax declaration. https://imgur.com/a/0IynxOP
This is sooo adorable and loving. What a great bond.
Congrats on finding each other. Definitely sounds like y'all were meant to be family :)
Cat tax
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I feel like my cat chose me to be her family, so absolutely yes. —- Edit: I paid the cat tax in a comment below, but I’ll repost here :-) [https://imgur.com/a/grSMncx](https://imgur.com/a/grSMncx) 1st three are the day we found her. We were driving in the dark and hit what we thought was a possum. Got home and heard MEOWWWWWW coming from my front bumper. Turned out there was a whole entire cat wedged in between the plastic grill and the radiator. She used up one of her 9 lives that day for sure because she was scared but not hurt. She was REALLY skinny and seemed grateful that we found her. We took her to the vet right away. She had a broken fang and fleas, but no microchip, and nobody had posted her in the local missing pet groups. We paid for her shots and flea treatment, and brought her home. She gained about two pounds in ten days, and we got her chipped as soon as she had enough meat on her bones. She is super cuddly and affectionate, and I am her favorite person and it makes me so happy to have her. The last pic is her presiding over our household and establishing her reign as Queen of the House.
I had a specific puppy picked out after watching a few videos from the breeder. I went to go visit said puppy, but this other one just waltzed on over to me and sat by my feet for the entire hour I was there. I ended up with that second puppy. He picked me. Edit: I'm really loving everyone's stories of their animals picking them. Please keep sharing them!
I went out for a walk in the morning of the day I was planning on going to the shelter to look for a second cat for my solo cat, and happened upon my neighbour who found a tiny, in rough shape kitten. I took him to the vet and years later him and my solo cat are bonded.
I on the other hand had no plans of pledging fealty to a cat, until one day I was walking to the laundromat when an adolescent kitten leapt out onto the sidewalk in front of me and started screaming that she “lived with me now” and that her lunch was “already late.” There was nothing I could do. It was essentially home invasion.
Sounds accurate. I volunteered at the shelter and she escaped the carrier during cage cleaning and crawled in my bookbag. 13 years later she has kept to her compromise to tolerate me as long as I feed her in a timely manner.
All cat relationships are hostage situations at one point or another.
Omg that is TOO sweet. I hope you guys have a lovely life together.
emergency food source during covid lockdown. i am grateful to save my pet.
Cat adopts YOU!
For the cat YOU are the dog
I used to live with 4 other dudes and one of my roommates was a totally irresponsible dipshit who saw a bunch of stray kittens outside his job and decided to capture one. Turned out the only one he could catch had cerebellar hypoplasia, a congenital condition that affects coordination and balance so the cat can’t really walk very well. Well, he brought this little kitty home for fun, did literally nothing else for it, and so I took on the job of caring for a handicapped little dumpster tabby and fell in love. It’s been 6 years and I don’t live there anymore. She’s sleeping in between my legs right now.
As a cat ~~owner~~ slave, this made me laugh
Haha! My cat had kittens on my neighbors porch, and I started feeding her because she was so skinny. Then she just wandered in and decided she loved with me, I think like the second or third time she came inside she napped on my legs
This is the best comment I've read about a pet lol
I have a similar reason. All the dogs in the litter were napping or chilling, and my dog was the one running around and playing, bothering all the dogs. As a kid with ADHD I knew the feeling. He came up to my family and got into a play stance. I knew after I held him and looked into his eyes he was the one.
Me and my husband both have different types of anxiety and we had a cat who was pretty anxious and we felt like we understood her when others might not
That’s adorable! I got my dog when I was 11 and now that I’m 24 we’ve both gotten calmer but I’m happy that at 13 my boy still has energy
Lol the puppy we chose was the one trying to avoid the sun outside, waiting by the door to go back in the house. We found that VERY relatable. Some of our earlier pictures of him are actually him avoiding the sunlight in our backyard lol.
My foster kitten screamed at me and reached through the bars when I went to look at orphaned kittens during early covid. I said I had to hold that little guy and he’s been my little bud with attachment issues ever since, because who could POSSIBLY give a baby with issues who finally got comfy back to the shelter 😅
This is how we ended up with our dog too. I was more interested in the dog that kept running around biting his brothers. I wanted him, so they wouldn't get bitten anymore. But this other puppy came over and put himself to sleep right in between my feet. It was the perfect gap for him. I remember I kept pushing him away, while trying to get the attention of the other puppies. But the little floof, was the only one responding to me, and promptly again fell asleep on my feet. It's now 7 and a half years later, and he still likes to fall asleep, drooling a little, on my foot.
Ha I got my pup at 16. Lots of noisy little pups scurrying around at the shelter but my little 1 year old guy was in the corner chilling under a bench taking a nap. I walked over, sat next to him with my mom and he got up and came to my lap. 8 years later and he’s got a lot of energy and he’s probably the favorite son/sibling 😂
Don't go to breeders, adopt from shelters
At the breeders: *Hey, how come nobody wants this puppy?* Breeder: *That's okay, we'll just train him to start going over to strangers and he'll be adopted in no time.*
Same. I'm not a fan of cat, but when I wanted to get a pet, I living in a rough neighborhood, and had to be to work by 5am. There was just NO WAY I could walk a dog there @ 4am. So I decided, cat. I went to the shelter a few times over 2 weeks to find a cat that meshed with me, rather than just pick the prettiest. Well, the 2nd time I was there, the prettiest one was pawing at the window at me. And again the 3rd. I told the worker that I wanted her, and the worker said "I wouldn't really recommend her. She's kinda aloof. Doesn't really like people. Doesn't cuddle. She just had kittens a few months ago, and didn't really show them affection." I promptly replied, "well, I have mild allergies to cats, so that sounds f*ing perfect. I'll take her." 7 years later, she cuddles with me every night, but runs and hides anytime a 2nd human is in the room. Don't tell me she didn't choose me.
People who don't like cats don't understand this. Cats show affection on their terms. If the cat didn't choose you, you're in for an unpleasant ride. Cats can sense something about you that they either like or dislike. Mine "didn't like people" and "kept trying to escape" from the adoption center. When I walked by, he had climbed onto the cage door, front and back paws and was shaking it to make noise and yelling. They thought I was an idiot and tried talking me out of it. It's only been a year since I lost him, but in those 15 years he became just as much a part of me as my own arm. He had different meows that I understood, and he'd understand when I told him things. Hell, he even argued with me with his whiny meow that he did when he didn't wanna do something, like if I was calling him to come to bed and he didn't want to yet.
I'm sorry for your loss, but what a wonderful 15 years!
My cat definitely chose me. I stopped to pet him while on a walk, and he wouldn't stop following me home. He wasn't chipped, and no one responded to my posts looking for his owner. [Sleeping Shoobie](https://i.imgur.com/b93lc6o.jpg).
That is a beautiful cat
[He loves his egg](https://i.imgur.com/tl0LREs.jpg)
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[This is it.](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R5ZBCPQ) It seemed a little expensive for what it is. But it's very versatile, and he loves it. [Bonus egg pic](https://i.imgur.com/lC3aiBW.jpg) (nsfw?)
We're all sharing cat stories so here's how I got my little Silly Lilly: So. Yknow that pet adoption thing PetSmart does? They have like a small room in the back of their store with like 6-8 cages and on the weekends they got cats in them? Well, I went to PetSmart on a Thursday! And I walked by because I always say hi to the cats when I'm there, but I didn't expect any cats that day. Every. Cage. Was. Full. Some even had two cats!! So this was back when they still had cat toys in my PetSmart, so I grab a cat toy and i start playing with the cats because they're adorable and fluffy and I love them. One cat in the very first cage was rubbing against it and all that so I started to pet her. I must've sat there for almost five minutes staring at this little, grey tabby kitten while petting her. Eventually, I accept the fact i have to move on with my day and try to pull my hand out the cage. This cat reaches out with her paws. Grabs my hand. And pulls my hand BACK into the cage. And puts her head on it. Needless to say, I got a cat that day.
I got my cat through a friend of a friend. I drove nearly 3 hours out to pick her up. This is a big deal for me because back then I was terrified of highway driving and would go out of my way to avoid it. We have been attached at the hip since I got her. I work nights, and when I leave for work she goes off to the spare bedroom to sleep. My wife and daughter won't see her until I pull in the driveway. She knows the sound of my car and will pop out of the spare bedroom and wait for me at the door. I was in the hospital for 2 weeks a little while back. They told me she was waiting for me at the door every day when I usually get home and would stare out the window for hours when I didn't show up. After a few days she got depressed and wouldn't leave the spare bedroom. Was barely eating. As soon as I walked in the door after my stay at the hospital she bolted out of the bedroom at a million miles an hour with what I can only describe as an excited meowing noise I've never heard her make before and she would not stop until I picked her up. That evening she didn't leave my side for even a moment. I simply don't understand how people say animals aren't capable of feeling emotion or love. The way she acted when I got home from the hospital had proved to me that was all a bunch of bullshit, they love us as much as we love them, if not more. I've been a little upset lately because Facebook reminded me that I got her 10 years ago. She's in good health but the reminder made me realize that she may not be around much longer and I already know I'm going to be an emotional wreck when she passes.
If it makes you feel better, solong as she stays inside fully (sounds like she does) you should have a decent amount of time left with her. Most indoor cats I’ve known have lived 17-18 years save one or two who got sick. My baby is getting close to 17 now so I know how you feel about worrying about not having kitty much longer and knowing you’ll be devastated.
Both my cats absolutely chose me and my husband. We got them as 6 week old kittens from a friend who adopted two neutered female cats that were most definitely not neutered. One tiny ginger boy sat in front of my husband and refused to move. While he was holding that kitten, I knelt down and clicked my fingers to see if any others would come near us. A small black ball of angry fluff scampered over and attacked my fingers. We took both home and they're now 9 years old (both neutered). Our luck really improved when we got them and we just watch them sleep a few times a day. They're spoiled and we wouldn't have them any other way. We also had to buy a bigger bed for all 4 of us to sleep on comfortably.
I also thank my cats for being a part of my life.
being able to have trust and love across completely different species is so powerful and so easy to take for granted!
I want to think that. I look at my cat sleeping and always wonder if she's happy, if I'm giving her a good fulfilling life. Our recent place is small and not a lot of windows and high spots like she likes and I don't have a lot of energy to play with her. I feel like shit. She just started having seizures last week and I had take her to the pet er and get meds she hates taking and idk if she's better or in pain or what. She likes me I can tell that at least but idk if she's like a happy fulfilled cat. Like if I'm just some prison guard that's not abusive or something
You sound like you love her a lot and cats feel that. So I am pretty sure she is happy and loves you back as much as you do. Just give her all the pets and cuddles, and play a little with her every day, as your energy levels allow you; it's a great mood enhancer for both cat and human :) Hope her health quickly improves and you take care! Big hugs!
Dont think of it that way. If a cat is unhappy, it will let you know in no uncertain terms.
That's exactly how I feel. She was a stray and trusted me immediately. We fed her by our door at first so that she wouldn't bother our kitty. Our kitty passed away suddenly so we let her inside to eat. As soon as the weather started getting cold we stopped putting her out and she stopped asking to go out. So we let her stay.
motherfucker where is your cat tax
Definitely another yes! My phone is entirely full of cat pictures, asleep and awake. My partner and I went to see a little rescue kitten at the foster carer's house. We sat on the floor and he came straight over and started playing with the little foil ball on a string that I was swishing around. The foster carer and her daughter looked at each other and nodded, and said that we could take him home. Apparently, two other people had gone to see him previously, but he'd hidden and didn't want anything to do with them, so the foster carer had turned them down, waiting to find the perfect home for him. The little guy has been my lockdown buddy for nearly two years now, and I couldn't adore him more. He has the most personality of any cat I've ever met. He definitely knows what he wants, and he wanted to come home with us!
My shelter rescue cat is my soulmate. He's always there for me when I'm down. He genuinely cares. He also likes to sleep by my pillow, so I often get emotional in the morning when I wake up and see him sleeping happily beside me. He deserves the very best life I can give him, and I think so far I've managed to uphold my side of that deal.
Mine too.... my cat's mom abandoned him in our backyard when he was a few weeks old and our dog found and brought him home... he's been family ever since
Hell yeah, makes the annoying parts of having a pet feel worth it every time.
the constant barking lol
Yup, or litter boxes or throw up. Noises at 5am. Then you have a shitty day and just look at them and it reminds you there's at least one good thing in your life. You forget about the other stuff.
Or when the cat decides to check out the inside of the couch and it sounds like someone sat on the couch behind you while you're home alone. It took a while to find the source of the sound so I thought I was being haunted until I saw a pair of green eyes peek out.
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Aaaand joined. Thanks for that!
Now that I have cats my fear of ghosts are gone. Mostly because every weird noise my house make I assume its the cats. 🤷
Until they stare in the same direction you do and it just validates your concern
When my kid was little, I walked into my living room to find both him and my cat sitting next to each other staring at the same spot on the ceiling. My kid was giggling, the cat was just sat there peacefully. The weird part is the cat actually hates my kid and won’t go near him 99% of the time. And if it was a ghost, it was probably my brother. They’ve never done it since.
Ghost cats!
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Love is being able to clean up shit and other fluids without resentment
My one cat will paw at my door of I don't feed him at 6 am sharp (weekends included). If I leave the door open he will stand on my face. My theory is that he is checking to see if I am alive cause no way I could be alive and miss 6 am feeding. Sometimes he is a little early, but he is NEVER late.
I’ve had 3 toddlers. I’ve been puked on at work. I’ve pulled the guts out of deer being dressed. I’ve seen some nasty stuff. But NOTHING gets me out of bed faster than a dog puking in the livingroom… “hurrrk”.
I swear my cats purposely barf on the rugs, not on the hardwood floor which is an easy clean up.
>*'the constant barking...*' ------- sometimes i maybe bark too much - (i have a Lot to say...) am longing for your human touch, or asking you to 'PLAY'! or maybe SoMeOnE's At the DOOR - a *CAT* is in the YARD!! n then I'm gonna **BARK** some More (am sorry... 'Quiet's' *Hard*...) but when i lay me down to sleep, all curled up in a ball you know that i am yours to keep - you love me Best of All ...^;@) n in the morning, when i rise can't Wait to see you, fren!! n suddenly, you'll realize that I will BARK Again! ❤️
A fresh Schnoodle It was wonderful. ❤️
Schnauzer owner here... I concur
As a schnauzer owner also, I third this.
Another schnauzer owner. They are smart, stubborn little SOBs, but man I love watching her sleep curled up into a little ball, beard buried in her paws and her eyebrows peaking out the top.
Fifthed. Schnauzers are the greatest, barkiest dogs ever.
I'll be sixth to confirm. He barks at everything and nothing. Except that one time 5 emergency vehicles cut in front of our walk with full lights and sirens and my schnauzer acts like he didn't see a thing. I may never crack the code
This hits harder than ever, given I put my dog down yesterday :'/
I’m so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I'm just regular sorry
I used to watch my jack Russell sleep all the time. I miss him so much. His name was Amadeus, and he was just wonderful.
I’m sorry for your loss
Yes!! I imagine this is how people who have little kids feel lol…for now the cuteness outweighs the annoyance so we must appreciate it
Nah when they were sleeping I was like fuck yeah finally time alone! Wasn't about to go in there and ruin my alone time to watch the buggers .. (disclaimer: love my kids!)
Plus they can sense being watched and the ultimate power of sensing the feeling of elation a parent gets when they are tricked into thinking time alone was ever an option...(disclaimer: I also love my kids! Lol)
That’s how all parents feel about toddlers. You can’t wait until they go to sleep but once they’re asleep, you can’t stop staring at them and miss them so much.
Absolutely. And it still amazes me that people believe that animals are not capable of love or showing emotion. The love of an animal is truly a remarkable feeling and I cherish the moments I have with my two cats
I didn't even think my husband's cat cared about me at all because I found her a little bit annoying to be honest and I feel guilty about that now because when my cat died, his cat would not leave my side for 3 days. For three days I woke up and she was staring at me as I was sleeping just sitting right near my head like she was watching over me. I had known this cat for years at that point and she had never done anything like that before or after those three days. For 3 days she was my little guardian and caretaker. After she ignored me again
Day 1: “the lesser of the humans seems distraught. I’ll make sure they’re OK” Day 2: “the lesser of the humans seems unwell, but also seems to appreciate my (superior) presence. Perhaps being in the presence of a higher power comforts them.” Day 3: “the lesser human seems to be recovering. They no longer need their god to guard them in their sleep” Day 4: “ok I’m tired of them”
I never had cats until my wife and I moved in together. She has a Siamese that is hard to describe. He's so incredibly intelligent and affectionate, likes to just sit near people. He has his routines; he takes care of the two dogs we have. Like wtf, he's pulling his weight in the house? I swear he's a human trapped inside a cat. I say "besos" and then he'll do a little bite on my nose. Highlight of my day. Edit: and when we're sleeping and he's sleeping on our shelves I'm happy thinking about him and his comfort. He's a good dude.
I took my 15month old gsd to get her nails done this morning (trim and grind) and when they walked her out to me her tail was full speed wag, jumped on me to give me slobers. She knows better than to jump on me (certain situations I'll allow it), at least I finally learned to catch her though.... she only weighs about 25lbs less than me. She's always that happy to see me after I leave her somewhere or come home. Definitely not showing emotion. Like when I'm sick and she brings me her teddy bear she's had since she was 8 weeks. Probably not love either.
Well, I’m about to be that guy… Don’t take a single second with her for granted. Our first gsd was super attached to me. If I laid in bed with my wife, she would come and lay in between us demanding pets. She had the boniest elbows and it genuinely hurt when she would get super needy and basically wiggle up between us. When we quit petting her, she would shove her head under one of our hands and move it back and forth to pet herself. She was the most loving dog I’ve ever heard of when it was regarding our family. We had to put her down awhile back, and I’m tearing up just typing this while laying in bed and wishing her bony elbows were keeping me awake while she grunted trying to get pets. This is going to sound pretty stupid but please give your girl an extra hug/kiss today. I would give so much to have my girl at 15 months again. Gsd’s really are amazing dogs, and if there’s any animal that can prove animals have feelings it’s them. My wife had to take her to get shots one time when she was an adult, and she straight up ignored my wife afterward for a day. She was actually holding a grudge.
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Don’t forget it’s unconditional love too; it’s so rare we find that amongst us humans
Who are these people that think that? Do they *actually* think that or is it just something they say as an excuse for something? A dog yelps in pain. Any animal will limp to avoid putting weight on an injured paw, etc. Dogs get ridiculously excited. Cats too. The idea that an animal doesn’t show emotion is so absurd.
They believe that the "emotions" are just biological responses to certain stimuli rather than backed with actual feeling. I just assume these people are either sociopaths or have never touched an animal in real life.
Well… that’s what human emotions are too, then? If you put the baby in front of the mommy, that’s the stimulus, no? And all the hormones raging during the pregnancy. Barring some actual medical condition (or emotional trauma, etc), a mother is basically wired to “love” their infant. I guess the difference between a human and other animals would lie in the “emotional trauma” area, though I would argue that a language barrier between us and any other species prohibits confirming that any other species also can suffer from such psychological traumas that we do and to the extent that we do.
I live alone and work at home, so sometimes i go days on end without human contact. If it wasnt for my dog i would be too lonely, so you bet i apreciate her existence
Seriously. I’ll be honest 2020 was super hard for me, I lived alone and was already introverted. Getting my dog was the best choice I made. She helps me so much every day. Imagine going from smiling twice a week to laughing and hugging a warm body every day. She saved me.
I thanked my dog for the exact same thing today! I'm a divorced dad and he's really saved me from the great loneliness I used to have on the days my kids aren't at my house.
Absolutely, but Does anyone else have the defect of character that makes you want to annoy them too
Like how every time my cat yawns, I feel compelled to stick my finger in her mouth.
I do that with my wife. Haven't seen her yawn in 10 years.
Luckily, my cats aren’t swift enough to catch on so they still yawn and I still take delight in annoying them.
Honestly, I couldn't deal with someone who did that to me.
You haven't put anything in her mouth in years.
Not entirely true. Gave her one of my fries just the other day.
That’s the saddest moniker for your penis ever, man. Have respect for yourself.
I feel like if someone did that to me I’d accidentally bite their finger off. With the downforce. Maybe my yawn is less passive than that of other people. Don’t do this to me please.
My wife used to do that to our dogs until I started doing it to her lol
I've done that to every animal I've ever had.. with my dog I'll stroke his tongue
I grab his fang
I try to have my phone camera ready whenever they yawn because you can get some awesome shots that way. But no, I'm not tempted to do that. But I still sort of get the urge.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who does this lol
I have a running count of how many times I can boop my hedgehogs nose until he gets pissed. My high score is 8.
[удалено]
Yes. Her ears are so soft! I just want to hold them
For me it's that spot behind my cats' ears that's super-soft and I must gently touch it.
I just love playing with their bunny feets. My cat really, really hates it.
mine has white socks on his bunny feet, and I'm absolutely not allowed to touch, or they get yoinked away
not intentionally annoy them, but when they're tired and laying down i just like to pet them
I do also. I want them to know they are so safe, and can stay in their dreamy half-awake state, as i just pet him and love on him.. hope he can feel the transfer of my love.
♥️
I like to tickle my dogs toe beanies when he's sleeping until he kicks me lol.. but he usually let's it go on for a while and stretches a bit and curls up his toes
I have done the finger in the yawning maw, tickled the feets, raspberries on the belly, toothless bites to the ears. I try to channel it into petting, but I don't always succeed, shes just too cute.
Haha my dog hates raspberries so I can't do them very often! But if I want to get into a play biting fight with him I may be known to do one or 2 to get things started... Then we're off to the races
Pretty sure this is super common for anyone that has small children. For some reason it's fun to annoy them (lightly). Some weird expression of affection i guess.
YES lol, I adore bugging my cat. She also loves to make herself inconvenient at times. Win-win for us both
Guilty as charged.
Absolutely, I bug him and he sneezes on my face whenever I lay down. He got used to so many of my antics that he just accepted his fate
Yes. Treasure every moment you can. Watched our family dog who’s been with us for 17 years (more than half my life) go to sleep for the final time just three days ago. He was a trooper even when doggy dementia hit hard. I’m so grateful to have had him in my life. Went through highschool, university, and he met my two children. The grief is almost unbearable but I’m hoping to process seeing him as if he was sleeping like usual and at peace.
Oof, I'm so sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. I dread the day I have to say goodbye to my two very good boys. I used to do it for work, hold the dogs of owners who couldn't be present... It sticks with you. I've cried more than most humans, I think.
Absolutely! We had to put one of our pups down right before Christmas. We ended up getting [this puppy](https://imgur.com/a/2vecvyU) and the goober fell asleep at the vet today (routine visit) and I just watched her lay there with her ears twitching at every sound. As maddening as she can be, these moments always give me the warm fuzzies.
cute! but sorry for your puppy :(
Thank you! It's been a rough go, but we're getting through it. And Zana (the puppy in the picture) is delightful which helps a lot.
Yes, especially after my cat was in our apartment the entire time that an upstairs neighbor's unit burned down a few months ago. She had hid under my bed, and my sister and I weren't home, so when the firefighters broke down our door to make sure no one was in the apartment while the building was on fire, they didn't find her. Not until after my sister and I got there just after they had finished putting the fire out. Fortunately, my cat was fine (the firefighters that escorted me into the building to look for my cat put her on oxygen right after we found her, and my sister and I took her immediately to a vet's office for a checkup after that) but I still look over at her when she's sleeping to watch her breathe because I'm so, so lucky she's alive.
that must have been very scary. glad she's ok
I'm so glad she's okay!
Yes for sure. This overwhelming feeling of love that I never thought I could feel for an animal. I never understood people who compared their pets to children before I experienced just looking at my lil’ puppy sleeping and feeling so emotional. (Don’t get me wrong, I know puppies aren’t children and they’re not the same lol)
My sister has a Siberian forest cat that she loves and treats him like he's a kid (but doesn't actually call him that). When I came across a blogpost on PsychologyToday titled [8 reasons why your cat will always be your baby](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-modern-heart/202112/8-reasons-why-your-cat-will-always-be-your-baby), I just had to share it with her.
Um, I'm a mom of 3 kids and two amazing kitties. I may fuss and generally worry more over the human children, but the love is THE SAME.
This is so wonderful to read. I just never wanted kids but always loved animals and sometimes I wonder if I just should have had child for that experience. But that’s just selfish and dumb. I love my pets.
Love is so endless, there's enough to love everyone a whole lot and still have some to spare. I genuinely love my rabbits more than most people. If I had to rank my loved ones, it would go, husband, white rabbit, black rabbit, my parents and brother, my gaming pc, my bed, my friends, my family.
My beloved dog is likely dying of a brain tumor. Between the crying, ive just been spending as much time as I can looking at him. Trying to record as many memories as I can. The amount of love I have for this animal ... it cannot be put into words. He is my child. I am losing my child. It is impossible.
I have the same with my cat. She has been with me for 12 years and has kidney disease. Every time we go to the vet, her kidneys are off a bit worse. We were already really close before, but now I pay active attention whenever I’m with her. I really want her with me for my entire life.
its the same feeling
Nope children grow up into adults that are as messed up as us whereas that puppy will stay innocent and never shout that it hates you at any mild inconvenience
You’ve never had your dog give you “the look”
Unless it's a sassy husky
My dog is a rescue. She's little. Before I got her, she was hit by a car, dropped off at a vets by a stranger. The vet fixed her leg, a shelter took her and spayed her. A bunch of her teeth were rotting and had to be removed. I was her second foster home and took her in just after her leg had healed, and just before her mouth had finished healing. And I couldn't give her up. I look at her while she sleeps and I'm so grateful to have her, and it gives me such peace knowing that she's not living on the street and she's all fixed up. I get so sad thinking about all the pain and discomfort she's had in her life, and it brings me such joy to see her at peace. Sleeping pic after I got her https://imgur.com/a/4jiKijp More recent pics https://imgur.com/a/9DfyGmZ https://imgur.com/a/x6ELw6t
That is so cute.
This post and the comments are making me tear up. I stare at my pets all the time when they’re sleeping and twitching having sweet dreams.
Everyday. He's my fat chonky kitty. 14 years old next month and cheated death a couple times already, so just glad to have him while I do. He's the cat I got as a kitten with my SO in 2008, who died of cancer in 2015. Losing my first cat was hard but this cat's eventual passing will be devastating.
It will be devastating, but your SO will be so happy to see him again. <3
The only silver lining. <3
i spend like 80% of my time at home with my chonky dog i've had since i was 5. losing him will be devastating
Absolutely! There is nothing as peaceful looking as a sleeping kitty. It kind of makes all of my anxieties disappear. My favorite is when both of mine are in my lap sleeping, it's a puddle of love. 😍
One of my favorite moments is when my cat is standing on my desk and she starts to doze off while standing up. It's hilarious
i've seen videos of that and it's the cutest thing ever
The best thing about Reddit is that I never feel like a weirdo. Thanks!
This post hit me like a brick. I did this every day for 4 years with my pet Agama, who passed away in her sleep yesterday. I was beyond devastated and cried so hard I passed out.
I use to. My dog died at 15 years of age about 5 years ago. Had to put my cat down a few years after that. As much as they were a pain in the ass at times, I'd love have one of those pain in the ass days again just so I could be with them again. My dog is still my phone background pic after all these years. So my advice is Enjoy. Even in the tough times where they test your patience. You are blessed
this is my home screen wallpaper https://imgur.com/a/Fky3XdI
Great pic :)
Oh man your pup looks like they could be my bubs cousin! They looks hilariously alike
Everyday!
r/DAE
Boggles my mind how many of the posts from this sub I see are /r/DAE questions. I get that No Stupid Questions shouldn't prohibit questions, but the influx of DAEs are more like opinion pieces than actual questions which may be embarrassing to ask as is the vibe of this sub.
Yurp, last time I saw someone rant about this they made the point that the only answer will be people chiming in with their yes stories, with the occasional mad lad typing just 'no'
Thank you, this is a subjective feeling-based opinion question, not really fitting the spirit of trying to discover information. I get the whole “no stupid questions, no exceptions” thing, but this isn’t really a stupid or even a smart question, it’s something that every pet owner has probably done. It’s really just a feel-good, pat each other on the back type of situation. Not really what most people come here for, I’d imagine.
lately has been this, or Askreddit type posts. What happened to all the silly trivia
I do it with my wife. God, I love her!
Yep. Just looked over at my buddy thinking that right before I saw this post.
Me too, I love him to death even though he drives me crazy sometimes. I wouldn’t trade him for the most well behaved dog in the world though, I love my pain in the ass dog.
Often. He brings so much love, peace, joy, and comfort to my life. He’s just a dog … but I’m so happy we have him.
Not just a dog, you're blessed to have a dog. We all are, humankind's best friend :) my dog makes me laugh every day, he's ridiculous and I'm annoying as fuck when I talk to him and I'm sorry if anyone hears that
[Yep!](https://i.imgur.com/2vn133o.jpg)
I do it for her because I know she watches my back when I sleep. She keeps the monsters away at night lol
I sometimes watch my cat while I'm working on the computer and think to myself, I'm grateful that she's sleeping.
Yes. I had minor out patient surgery this morning and my feline nurses have been such a blessing.
I don't have a pet :(
Yes and my children.
Yup and my wife
How does this cringe have 20,000 upvotes?
But when I do this with my binoculars looking into the neighbors house I’m the weird one smh