[Dapper Dan]

I think we had a poll a few years back about favourite animals. A recent post made me wonder whether Linuxforums members favoured cats or dogs as pets. Which do you prefer and why?

[elija]

Cats. Because... well they are cats ain't they?

It has been said that dogs may be mans best friend, but in Ancient Egypt cats
were gods and cats have never forgotten this.

[techieMoe]

I'm in kind of a strange spot with pets. I grew up with no pets other than the occasional stray cats my mother fed on the porch and the fish that my little brothers serially killed.

My fiancee grew up with a mother who bred Shelties, and her mother's house is still infested with 4 dogs, 2 sugar gliders, and a cat. In other words, I grew up sans varmints; my fiancee grew up in a jungle.

She has a relatively tame menagerie at her apartment of one Australian Shepherd and one evil Persian cat (yes, that's an actual photo). I get along well with the cat and tolerate the dog. Were it up to me, our collective household once we got married would consist of no varmints. However, it is most certainly not up to me and I've settled for having a den that will be varmint-free at all times where I can keep my electronic toys.

I voted "cat" simply because I generally don't find myself having to mess with it very much. It eats, it uses the litter box, it stays out of my way. The dog is like having a perpetually 4-year-old child. It requires constant attention: feeding, entertaining, taking outside, arranging daycare or babysitters if we're gone for long periods of time, etc. My first choice is "neither." My second choice is "cat."

[coopstah13]

I prefer dogs, i guess the primary reason being my first pet was a dog, and she was a very good dog. I do also like cats, they're playful and fun, but I still like dogs more.

[smolloy]

Definitely dogs.

Cats are independent, self-sufficient, and generally don't need us around to help them. But these are all attributes I look for in my human friends! With a pet, I want devotion, trust, and dumb respect -- and that's what dogs supply.

Now if only I could convince my extremely allergic wife of this....

[daark.child]

We had both cats and dogs (some lovely ridgebacks) as I was growing up. I like both, but I voted for cats because I find them a lot easier to look after and they are very independent.

[Dapper Dan]

Originally Posted by daark.child

We had both cats and dogs (some lovely ridgebacks) as I was growing up.

I think Ridgebacks are so cool! I'd love to have one. An acquaintance has had two and I've been impressed with the breeds demeanor and temperament. They seem to have the right qualities to be around children.

When we move to the country, I want either two Ridegbacks or two Carolina dogs.

[daark.child]

Originally Posted by Dapper Dan

I think Ridgebacks are so cool! I'd love to have one. An acquaintance has had two and I've been impressed with the breeds demeanor and temperament. They seem to have the right qualities to be around children.

When we move to the country, I want either two Ridegbacks or two Carolina dogs.

Yeah, Ridgebacks are really good dogs and very loyal. Its the only breed of dog we have owned over the last 3 decades. I'd never heard of Carolina dogs before (I'm from Africa, so I doubt we have many of those over there), but thy look really cool.

[Lakshmipathi]

So far the poll result is :

Cats 5
Dogs 5
Both 3

Looks like strong contest between the two.I voted for both
I love to have pet animals.
I had 3-4 squirrels - (which died in few weeks -as they are very young)
1 dog - which i kept for few months - as my father felt it bring unlucky
i fought with him for few days but in the end gave it to a friend.
1 cat - which i kept for few days -this time my grandfather said it's not good for family.
Few fishes -- I had a gold fish for few years.
A little bird - few days until it was taken away by crow

Now i'm having love birds

Ten years back one of my neighbor (an anglo-indian) used to have
5 dogs,a monkey,few doves,few fishes ,few rabbits,an turtle etc etc -- i'm jealous of them.

I love to have all kinds of animal ...may be i should built a zoo

[fingal]

I prefer cats... actually I like most animals, but I understand cats, and they generally respond well to me. I grew up with quite a few over the years:

1 tabby
2 ginger toms (with very different personalities)
2 strays: they didn't live very long I'm afraid
1 black and white cat called Rocket (she was very sweet natured)

They provided my family with years of fun, pleasure and (eventually) heartbreak. If you want to sleep at night, don't get a cat!