Cats are predators; nothing more. There is no loyalty with cats.
But if you've categorized yourself as "anti-cat', there's little hope you'll ever know it. Most such 'antis' are proud of it,...which only makes clear their ignorance and loss.
A dog will grovelingly love anyone who will accept the worship.
A cat's affection( yes, real) has to be cultivated and earned,...they discriminate, they appreciate,...and they aren't stupid enough to take a second chance after any sort of mistreatnment.
The fact that they are capable of self-sufficiency doesn't mean they are not capable of relating. Those who haven't learned how to meet them on their terms will never get to know them well.
For one thing, you have to be at least close to being equally as intelligent as the cat. No such requirement with a dog. The dog assumes you are superior. A cat may concede equality, but you have to prove it. Any disrespect will be sensed and returned with interest. Unfortunately, mistreatment of any kind, by any human, will be associated with all humans by the cat thereafter. Such a mistreated cat(and there are many, thanks to the number of sick minds in the world,) is unlikely to ever demonstrate the potential it might have had as a companion and friend.
We have had some cats, (and have the world's greatest now,..."Wolfy") whose behaviour you would not believe without video evidence.
Affectionate to an extreme (completely aside from any food issues), playfully fierce, imaginative, communicative, etc., ..."warm fuzzies" wih a brain. An absolutely great little buddy.
Which is not to say he/they are less than a completely competent survivor, if need be, in the wild and natural sense. There's plenty to admire, in these little animals with the big spirit, for an open and willing-to-appreciate mind.
Need I say they come with some basic skills a dog is lucky to ever learn (potty-training, anyone?) ;-)
I think the old saying says it all:
A dog thinks - "This person feeds me, cares for me, and cleans up my mess, ...he must be a god!"
The cat thinks- "This person feeds me, cares for me, and cleans up my mess. I must be a god!"
Gotta love the confidence(if you don't gotta have the worship)!
Best wishes,
Larry
