For people who don't like cats

I grew up with a father who really did not, and still does not like cats. He is allergic to them, which is unfortunate, because in general he loves animals. However, because of his allergy, the poor cats bore the brunt of his irritation. I therefore, grew up, in my younger days, believing that I too did not like cats. I was badly allergic to them, and would avoid them at all costs.

Until, one day, in my mid to late 20's, while I was sitting in the school staffroom at lunch time. One of the teachers was talking about some young kittens she had in one of her shed/barns. Would anyone like one. It still intriques me, to this day, why I piped up, "ohh, I would like to come and see them".

The rest is history, I fell in love with a wee 4 week old ginger kitten, whom we named syko ( she was a tad viscious with strangers in her younger days!!). Bringing her home changed my life, and my perception of these wonderful animals. A year later we brought along Jesse, a little black cat. Somehow I coped with my allergies, piriton helped!!! And in the instant of seeing the young syko, my attitude to cats did a complete U turn.

When I found my most darling Razzle, my conversion was complete.

People who do not like cats, will make comments of the like,

They are too independent

They toilet in other people's gardens

They are a law unto themselves

They are untrainable

I am allergic to their fur

I could go on! I have heard them all from my own family, and friends, who quite simply think I am bonkers, living the way that I do. They cannot understand the time and love that I cherish on my little companions. I wish that they could, and that they could also expeirence the bond that I am blessed to have.

yes, cats are independent, but I would dispute that you cannot train them. My cats understand the boundaries of what they can and cannot do in the house. It does not stop them trying to do it, like a naughty child ( and I have 2 of them ) there is nothing better, than getting away with what you know you shouldn't! Infact I would say that they are little different to my children, they even look at me before they commit the act! I suppose my cats are different, becasue they do not go outside, and therefore they are not being a bother to any one else. ( Percy goes outside, but he is old now, and does not wander far from my garden really).

With the allergy issue, I would say, that as I have lived with these wonderful animals, I have become less and less allergic to them. And now there is a wonderful product called Petal Cleanse, which actually does stop the problem, if used regulary.

What I think that people miss, who do not bond with these animals, and indeed with any animals, is that unspoken bond that you share. They are extreemely intelligent and intuitive animals, they sense your mood, so that spoken language really is not necesary. It is something that is hard to put into words. But worth more than anything money can buy.