BETWEEN THE LINES: OWNERS SHOULD CONSIDER CONVENIENCE WHEN CHOOSING A PET

Maybe the world is divided into two kinds of people: owners of high- or low-maintenance pets.

We've all heard someone say, "Well, there's only two kinds of people in the world..." Up to now I never believed that could be true.

Sure there are some instances where you can classify people into simple categories: decaf and regular coffee; Pepsi and Coke; white or wheat bread. You get the idea.

But to classify all the population into just two categories of people just doesn't make sense -- at least that's what I thought until last week.

During the past five days, while pet-sitting for a co-worker, I have realized that there REALLY are just two categories of people in the world: those with low-maintenance pets and those with high-maintenance ones.

As a multiple pet owner myself, I realize that there are certain responsibilities that accompany such ownership. Pets have to be fed and need proper exercise and such. And of course, there's always the annual (or in my case much more frequent) visit to the veterinarian.

But all those chores are so much easier with cats.

My friend from work owns two dogs -- one of which is a border collie -- and a cat. The cat doesn't really acknowledge my presence when I'm at the house. Sometimes he lets me groom him, other times he turns his back and heads away from me. Typical behavior from a cat, I think.

But Andrea's dogs are SO MUCH more work than Nightcloud.

Don't get me wrong, I like dogs; I'm just not sure I could own one anymore. I didn't realize until now just how much energy you expend when trying to feed them and play with them.

Dogs demand a routine. I typically don't follow any routine. Whenever I wake up in the morning, that's when the cats get fed. They go outside some during the day but that's at their convenience, which is the only way a cat ever does anything -- at its convenience.

The dogs have to be let outside at least three times a day, pretty much on schedule too. And going outside means they want to play ball or Frisbee, regardless of the time of day or temperature. Sarah brings her toys to the back door whenever I enter. Mandy jumps the height of the door frame in anticipation of going out to play. (Whenever she's not chasing the Frisbee, Mandy tries to herd me into the yard or the house so she can be fed.) Slobbery tennis balls and slimy Frisbees are their favorite toys.

Dogs fall into a high-maintenance category of pet ownership. They require walking, constant exercise and sometimes even obedience school.

My cats would surely fall into the category of low-maintenance pets. They prefer to be left alone most days, unless they want a saucer of milk or you want to take a nap. It's only when I nap that they find the loudest ball to bounce against the wall or choose to bat at one another through the doorjamb in my bedroom.

Of course, you can tell a dog to sit or stay or even lie down. Issuing commands to a cat is sort of a useless battle. Cats hear you but pretend not to.

I'm really not sure which is worse, the disdain of a cat or the constant attention dogs require. Ask me again after Andrea returns, I'll probably have an answer then.

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.