by
Mr. Macchiato
When Mrs. Macchiato first moved into my apartment, she brought her cat Smokey (see right). It was definitely a shock to my system! My whole life I've had dogs. I
love dogs. They are so loyal and loving... how can you beat that?
Cats
are very different. For the longest time, I thought that cats could
also be loving... it just took them time to warm up to you. But now I
think that cats don't think in terms of love; they're more about trust. If a cat trusts you, she will act in a very loving way: she
will snuggle up to you, roll over on her back, and even lick your hand.
To an untrained observer, it looks and feels like love... but it's
not.
Trust takes a long time to build. Smokey the cat completely
ignored me at first, while she paid close attention to Mrs. Macchiato. This isn't because she didn't like me; I just hadn't had enough time to earn her trust. It wasn't until Mrs. Macchiato left on a trip that Smokey and I developed a bond. Now she trusts me completely (although she still trusts my wife more!).
When it comes to dating and meeting people, some people are like cats. You
can't take it personally if they don't seem to like you at first. They
just don't trust you yet. It takes time for them to trust you... just
be patient, and it will happen. And when it does, it can seem just as
special as love.
Am
I a dog or a cat? I guess I am a bit of both... when I was younger, I
was like a dog - very trusting and loving. But as I get older, I am
more like a cat - I grow less trusting with each passing year. Or
maybe I trust people right away... but only to a limit. And with my
closest friends, it takes years to earn my trust.
When it comes to relationships, are you a dog or a cat?
Comments (45)
I am very much like a dog. I am so trusting and affectionate. It's probably bad. Although, then again, even if I'm trusting and affectionate, I'm not about to roll over and let people rub my belly (that's a metaphor... I wouldn't want people actually rubbing my belly) without some time getting to know them. I won't make myself vulnerable to them physically, even if I will emotionally.
sadly im like the dog.. in the relationship
and just like every dog out there.
i end up in the shelter.. or just left on the streets.
let's be honest... at first glance I'm a dog (wow, that's something that would sound odd out of context). I flirt--though innocently--and I like to please. nothing makes me happier than to see a guy I like laughing or happy with something I've done. but I've been burned so many times that as soon as the guy starts reciprocating on a beyond-flirting level, it's like... INSTA-CAT! I start thinking, "okay, what does he want?" you know, kind of a "what's he playing at?" feeling.
in other words, if they get too close, I shut 'em down, and only if they break through the insta-cat barrier do I keep them around.
If i had to choose i would choose a cat. Because it definetely takes me time to warm up to people. But if i could take a pinch of a dog into the recipe i would call it my naive side that is becoming less and less as i get older. I think as children, most of the time its in us to be the dog
today it is not easy for me to trust and i have a few friends in my life and one bestfriend that i would trust with my life. But that friendship took years to build and to this day we talk about elementary school because thats how far back our friendship goes. The test of time is what allowed me to open up and trust her... that and she is the biggest goofball (only around me).. But These are the kinds of people that we hold on for a life time because they are worth it and all the others just come and go....
so i cant just hand my trust over to anyone, they have to earn it..
.. call me a cat
Ouchie - that question hits really close to home - I refer you to The_Last_Kiss for my answer...
@the_last_kiss - Wow - you pegged me right off the bat!!!
i'm more of a cat ... i need to develop trust first.
In the relationships I choose...say, I see someone I'd like to meet, I'm a dog. But in all other relationships, those thrust upon me, or with others that approach me, I am a cat. For a very very LONG time.
I am very proactive about initiating relationships, both friendship and romantic alike. I do not typically trust people that approach me. My most successful relationships are the ones I have sought out. And with those relationships that I had originally sought out myself, I am very trusting and loving, like a dog, instantly. Strange, I guess.
@the_last_kiss - I love that one! :D
I'm definitely a cat. Which is funny, because I totally love cats... and pretty much despise dogs (if you knew my dogs, I'm sure you would understand.) So, can a cat-lover and a dog-lover be a good couple? How does that work? LOL
i strongly dislike cats as pets (i'm such a dog person).... but in this respect, i wish i was more cat-like. if i were more cat-like, most of the disasters i've had could have been avoided.
@the_last_kiss - i'm like that too... but in my old age, i think my hope is breaking down. dating and relationships would be easier if we were more like cats.
meow!
I'm a cat. It takes me a little while to warm up to strangers. Once I know you I love you with all my heart though (kind of like a dog loves.)
Most definitely a cat. When you trust, you also end up building something closely resembling a dependence on that person. I'm always afraid to depend on others because if you have no expectations, then you can't be let down/hurt. I've been let down so many times that it's just become a second habit to not trust others and to depend on only myself. It is a bit of a pain in the ass though since I'm seeing this new guy. I'm just used to being on my own that now having someone there... it's just strange almost.
This is an excellent analogy. I'm a cat, no question. Somehow I end up dating all these dogs (god, that sounds awful) and they come on all strong and get upset when I don't go all in and trust them right away. They don't seem to get that they only way to get someone like me to trust them is to let it come over time. Though perhaps two cats would just stand off and circle each other and never actually get close enough to trust each other. It's a tough one.
I value trust.
i'm a cat.
i don't trust people entirely. especially with my most innermost thoughts. it takes a lot of time for someone to earn it.
but i can be very trusting and loving in a good mood. :]
Cat, definitely.
Most definitely a cat. It takes a while for me to develop trust with people and to let them into my inner most thoughts.
I find it reassuring that while my cat may not let me pick him up, he does trust me enough to curl up beside me and fall asleep on his back with all his paws in the air.
Your wife's cat Smokey is adorable, btw.
I follow the cat pattern more, myself. It takes me a long time to warm up to people, and I generally let myself do so only after I've decided they can be trusted not to hurt me for their own amusement.
This was really refreshing. It was something that I hadn't really thought about, but really pertains to my life at the moment. Thank you for this :)
I think I used to be a dog, when I was in elementary and middle school. But then I was an emotionally abused dog, lol.
So then i became a cat (or so I've been told.) I heard that I am a very different kind of girl -- in other words, I'm hard to get? :)