Why, With the Cats???

Why do people get cats as pets? More especially, why do women like to have cats as pets? Is it because they like touching and hugging things? In that case get a stuffed animal, or get a boyfriend! Or is it because cats act like little princesses (prancing around the house like they own the place!), and women like to think they are little princesses too?

I personally think fish make much better pets as they are cleaner, don't wreck things, more compact, easier to care for, cheaper, and look nicer. However, the main idea of this rant is cats, so here is a list of reasons (just a few of many!) why cats don’t make a good pet:

1. Cats scratch other cats (not always, but quite often!)
2. Cats scratch people (look at my girlfriend’s left arm if you don’t believe me)
3. Cats scratch furniture (especially couches!!)
4. Cats scratch beds (my bed has a big hole due to the previous owner’s cat)
5. Cats scratch door frames
6. Cats scratch [Insert noun here]
7. Cats make a real stink when they use the litter box (WOW!)
8. Cats shed hair ALL over, and many people are allergic to said hair
   

This is all without even looking at the prices involved! Cats cost money for food, litter and vet bills. Plus, they will grow old and die in your life time which will really cost a lot in vet bills. Then when they are finally dead it is quite an emotional roller coaster for the owner, and any kids that were attached to the cat. Most owners buy ANOTHER cat to "ease the pain", only to start the cycle anew!

Then there is the strain put on relationships because of cats. One is example happened a few weeks back, when I was visiting my girlfriend. I found a small keychain water gun and thought it would be great to pray my girlfriend’s cat, Venus. I filled it up with water from the sink, snuck up behind the cat, and *SQUIRT*, got it right on the back! (see illustration below)

That's me on the left, and the cat, Venus, on the right

However, my girlfriend saw the incident and I was given “the look”. She was quite angry, and I had to turn away trying to suppress my laughter which made her even angrier. Needless to say it was not a positive growth experience for our relationship.

All those things aside, the biggest reason I am against cats is because of the house damage inflicted by these so-called pets. If I am to save, sacrifice, and put my all into providing my family with a house, I expect all members of the household to treat it with respect. A million-dollar house (which is an average home in Vancouver these days) is not something I can trivially buy and sell on a whim. It will take all that I have for the rest of my life to afford a mediocre abode. I cannot stand idly by as a “pet” turns my dream and hard work into a pile of rubble, seriously degrading all that I have worked for.

In conclusion: Get A Fish (or something other than a cat, even a dog is better)!