PC Pals Forum

General Discussion => The Laughter Zone => Topic started by: mistybear on November 02, 2008, 12:01

Title: Children As Pets--The Cat Years.
Post by: mistybear on November 02, 2008, 12:01
                                                                    Children As Pets--The Cat Years.

I just realized that while children are dogs--loyal and affectionate--teenagers are cats.

It's so easy to be a dog owner. You feed it, train it, boss it around. It puts it's head on your knee and gazes at you as if you were a Rembrandt painting. It bounds indoors with enthusiasm when you call it.

Then around age 13, your adoring little puppy turns into a big old cat. When you tell it to come inside, it looks amazed, as if wondering who died and made you emperor. Instead of dogging your doorsteps, it disappears. You won't see it again until it gets hungry--then it pauses on its sprint through the kitchen long enough to turn its nose up at whatever you're serving.

When you reach out to ruffle its head, in that old affectionate gesture, it twists away from you, then gives you a blank stare, as if trying to remember where it has seen you before. You, not realizing that the dog is now a cat, think something must be desperately wrong with it. It seems so antisocial, so distant, sort of depressed. It won't go on family outings.

Since you're the one who raised it, taught it to fetch and stay and sit on command, you assume that you did something wrong. Flooded with guilt and fear, you redouble your efforts to make your pet behave. Only now you're dealing with a cat, so everything that worked before now produces the opposite of the desired result. Call it, and it runs away. Tell it to sit, and it jumps on the counter. The more you go toward it, wringing your hands, the more it moves away.

Instead of continuing to act like a dog owner, you can learn to behave like a cat owner. Put a dish of food near the door, and let it come to you. But remember that a cat needs your help and your affection too. Sit still, and it will come, seeking that warm, comforting lap it has not entirely forgotten. Be there to open the door for it.

One day your grown-up child will walk into the kitchen, give you a big kiss and say, "You've been on your feet all day. Let me get those dishes for you."

Then you'll realize your cat is a dog again.
Title: Re: Children As Pets--The Cat Years.
Post by: Simon on November 02, 2008, 12:23
 :bubble:
Title: Re: Children As Pets--The Cat Years.
Post by: Rik on November 02, 2008, 12:25
 ;D

I'm still at the pussy stage myself.  :o: One day I'll grow up though.
Title: Re: Children As Pets--The Cat Years.
Post by: mistybear on November 02, 2008, 12:52
Perhaps it's a no longer a stage, and why bother growing up. I hear it's over rated anyhow.  ;)   ;D
Title: Re: Children As Pets--The Cat Years.
Post by: Rik on November 02, 2008, 13:00
It is, imo. :)
Title: Re: Children As Pets--The Cat Years.
Post by: mistybear on November 02, 2008, 13:17
And exhausting.......   :bawl:
Title: Re: Children As Pets--The Cat Years.
Post by: Rik on November 02, 2008, 15:26
It gets worse when growing up turns into growing old. :)
Title: Re: Children As Pets--The Cat Years.
Post by: Clive on November 02, 2008, 17:21
The exercise is good for you!  Helps to prolong active life.   :o:
Title: Re: Children As Pets--The Cat Years.
Post by: Rik on November 02, 2008, 17:27
Do you have a shiny coat and a cold nose, Clive?  ;D
Title: Re: Children As Pets--The Cat Years.
Post by: Clive on November 02, 2008, 20:30
There is still a bit of life in the old dog yet.   :leer:
Title: Re: Children As Pets--The Cat Years.
Post by: mistybear on November 03, 2008, 07:58
That's what's so scary.   ;)
Title: Re: Children As Pets--The Cat Years.
Post by: Clive on November 03, 2008, 13:30
 :hee-hee: