I've always been a "dog person". Growing up, my pet of choice was a big ol' St. Bernard. He was small for that breed but bigger than most dogs. And, although he was large, he was gentle with a loving spirit. In my early adult years, I was taken by a Golden Retriever. He was also loving and gentle. And he was always eager to please. Happy to fetch a worn out tennis ball every time it was thrown. He learned to sit, stay, shake and give a (dog) high five. He even knew how to roll over and play dead. He was quite the actor! And, while one dog was plenty, especially for someone who was constantly traveling, a second dog was not far off from making my home his own. But instead of an intellectual equal, let's just be kind and say that complex thought was not one of his gifts. Sweet and a trusty companion, for sure. But nobody would ever confuse him with Einstein.
Since those two dogs, there's been a long, pet-less period in my life. But last week, a new four-legged friend entered my universe. His name is Benny and he is a species I've never spent much time around - he's a cat. My wife - being the daughter of a veterinarian - is well acquainted with the habits and proclivities of felines. I am looking forward to learning. I'll report back from time to time on how things are going. But I can tell you what I've learned so far: one does not own a cat, but rather, it is the cat who does the owning!
