Throughout the history of the planet, most species have evolved in a predictable manner. The ones who avoided extinction became more adept at survival, either through brute force or through domestication. Only cats and Republicans refused to adapt, and both are currently suffering the consequences.
We shall leave the Republicans to their own devices, while we turn, instead, to cats. Cats, because of their inherent aloofness and penchant for licking the bottom of bathtubs after their owners have showered, have never been as appealing as dogs to pet owners. For that reason, dog owners are mystified as to why people would want cats as pets.
Dog owners believe that cats use affection as a means of manipulation, rather than to express any real connection. After tiring of this pseudo-affectionate activity, they happily bite their owners and move on, reminiscent of the behavior of Claire Underwood in House of Cards.
An alert reader has sent Life in the Boomer Lane the ultimate diss for cat owners. A recent study conducted in the UK has come to the following conclusion: Dog owners are happier, more sociable and earn bigger salaries than cat owners. Before you send LBL hate mail with adorable photos of Muffy or Fluffy saving your entire family from a burning building, please note the following compelling results found in the study:
People who choose a feline friend rather than a canine companion are more likely to enjoy their own company. This makes perfect sense, since when dog owners are alone at home with their dogs, their dogs are generally attached to their owners’ bodies, slobbering with joy at even the slightest crumb of affection. Cats, on the other hand, spend their time inspecting dust motes or trying to get into the bathroom to lick the bottom of the bathtub.
Dog owners have more money than cat owners. They have higher incomes and are more likely to have paid off the mortgage. LBL has no idea why this fact should even be of any consequence in a study involving pet owners, unless cat owners are too busy being influenced by their cats and spend the day inspecting dust motes instead of being gainfully employed.
More cat owners live with their parents than dog owners, and they are less likely to be married. Part of this might be due to their abysmal incomes or to their unsightly mauling. Either way, they are 5% less likely to be partnered.
There are marked differences in others areas of sociability as well. Cat owners have an average of 50 online friends, while dog owners have 60. When asked to reveal how many “best friends” they had, cat owners had an average of 12 , while canine lovers have 15 close friends. LBL is especially surprised at this figure, unless “best friends” has nothing to do with Facebook friends. On that count, cat owners have an average of 3500 close Facebook friends, who all spend their days sharing photos of their adorable felines. When they are not online, they are alone, tending their wounds.
Dog owners are forced to shell out more money each month feeding their pet and keeping them fit and healthy. The figures show cat fans spend considerably less per month on their pet than dog owners do. This may account for some, but not all of cats’ hostility toward their owners. But the actual reason may be that most pet owners acknowledge that it is far easier to dress and groom a little dog than it is to do so to a cat.
Dog owners appear to love their pets more, rating their affection at an average of 9.5 out of ten, compared to cat owners who came out at an average of eight out of ten. LBL is certain that this one statement will have cat lovers frothing at the mouth and sharpening their little loved ones’ tiny nails and then depositing them on LBL’s doorstep.
Perhaps the most controversial result of the study is that dog owners enjoy slightly more sex than their cat-loving counterparts, three times a week, to only twice for cat owners.
While LBL is absolutely certain that this statement referred to human relationships, she is aware that said statement didn’t specifically clarify that. She is also aware that certain of her more lascivious readers (you know who you are) are already envisioning rather unsavory practices between pets and their owners. She asks you to stop this right now and try to behave, because she orders you to go to time out.
In conclusion, A spokesman for VetPlus, which carried out the research, said: “The goal of the research was to understand the differences between dog and cat owners and what drives them to visit a vet. Looking at this research, this may well be because of the difference in lifestyle and relationships between the pet and its owner.”
A spokescat for the International Association of Pet Cats was asked to comment on this damning research. The spokescat was finally located in the bathroom, drinking out of the toilet bowl and licking the bottom of the bathtub. It was unaware of the research but did indicate an aversion to being compared to Claire Underwood.
ugiridharaprasad
March 21, 2016
Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
Life in the Boomer Lane
March 22, 2016
Thanks for the reblog!
ragtimecyclist
March 21, 2016
As I suspected…
Any word on the preponderance of Republicans lickng the bottom of bathtubs? Any insight here might be crucial in the US presidential election.
Life in the Boomer Lane
March 22, 2016
If mainsteam Republicans believed that licking the bottom of bathtubs would ensure a non-Trump candidacy, there would be a lot of clean bathtubs.
Barbara Meyer
March 21, 2016
As a dog lover and one who finds cat owners and their cats unAmerican,I agree. Cats spread disease and the CDC just announced that cat owners have emotional liabilities.this will happily make it harder for them to pass background check at a few gun shows.
Life in the Boomer Lane
March 22, 2016
While cat owners might be banned from gun ownership, cats would not.
Keith
March 21, 2016
Well, I guess I covered my bases by having one of each. I will never be rich, but won’t be poor.
Life in the Boomer Lane
March 22, 2016
True, Keith. And what does that say about me, after having owned a sucession of cats?
Sande Caplin
March 21, 2016
Absolutely hysterical! I will share it on The Sarasota Post!
Life in the Boomer Lane
March 22, 2016
Thanks, Sande! Remember to tell people that I have an aversion to hate mail. xxoo
Sande Caplin
March 23, 2016
Well, that could be a problem.
Sienna (@datingseniormen)
March 21, 2016
Oh, PAW-leeze…what a catastrophic catitude, not purrsuasive at all.
Life in the Boomer Lane
March 22, 2016
Your comment is furry funny, Sienna. I lick it a lot.
amanpan
March 23, 2016
Love this purrfect comment.
Taswegian1957
March 21, 2016
Where does that leave those of us who have both? Very confused I suspect. I may be deluding myself but I believe my cat loves me even if she is sparing with affection. I’m not a huggy person myself so I can respect that in a pet.
.As to the purpose of the study isn’t the reason a pet owner visits a vet because they have a sick animal and are concerned about it. What other reason do they need?
I’d rather have a cat licking my bathtub than a Republican any day.
Life in the Boomer Lane
March 22, 2016
Good point, there, about Republicans. And, yes, that’s exactly why people visit the vet. My experience is that even when finances are a challenge, people will get their pets the medical attention they need. I had a sucession of cats, and although I never did figure out whether they cared about me or me as a food provider, I still enjoyed having them around.
Taswegian1957
March 22, 2016
My current cat is not an overly affectionate type, she will rub up against me but rarely gets on my lap and never on the bed with me. However when I came home from holidays recently she made a big fuss of me and ever since then spends a lot of time sitting next to me on the couch so I don’t feel like it’s all about the food.
Life in the Boomer Lane
March 25, 2016
She might anticipate getting something in your will.
Little Voice
March 22, 2016
My, my. I knew I have dogs rather than cats, but never thought it was about my political preferences. Am reblogging this so my Republicans friends can see their path to misery.
Life in the Boomer Lane
March 23, 2016
I’ll know you were successful if I see a heasline soon that says, “Dog Ownership Soars Across the Country. Cats Left Behind.”
Little Voice
March 22, 2016
Reblogged this on that little voice and commented:
To my Republican friends: get a dog…or two.
Life in the Boomer Lane
March 23, 2016
Thanks for the reblog!
amanpan
March 23, 2016
My cat found this article somewhat amusing. In fact, she decided to take another nap. Her humans, however, found this to be hilarious!
Life in the Boomer Lane
March 25, 2016
Another factoid: Humans have a better sense of humor than do cats.
amanpan
March 25, 2016
Oh yes, I agree. I don’t believe cats have a sense of humor. Of course, you never know, do you?
Anonymous
March 27, 2016
Manipulative affection? Aloof? Opening my laptop means: 1) sitting in my lap while I type and pawing at my fingers. 2) Standing on the keyboard. 3) If I’m lucky: peering from the corner of the display and pawing at the images. And, not-to-mention heavy kneading action on my stomach or back while trying to sleep or nap at anytime of day or night. The Reps don’t know how good it is to be a loser.
ALN
March 30, 2016
This article is sad and totally inaccurate. Cats have long been given a bad rap for behaviors adapted from their owners, as with dogs, you get what you give to your cat. All of mine are incredibly affectionate and outgoing. As far as me, I have a degree, own two homes, have little debt, make way above the average american income, have a beautiful family and am incredibly happy. I know many cat owners in my same situation.
The pepetuation of these negative perceptions continue to compound ridiculously high levels of animal homelessness and euthanasia. You should check out those statistics.
You clearly have an issue with cats and should be more responsible for owning that and your own shortcomings rather than projecting those on the enormous population of cat lovers around the world. You could use your blog to perpetuate happiness and intelligent topics that better situations rather than create more issues for the world.
Life in the Boomer Lane
March 30, 2016
Thanks for your comments. I’ve had several cats over the years. They have been wonderful pets. My blog is humorous, and I often make fun of research, which I’ve done in this case. I haven’t done much reading into why people abandon pets, but I suspect it has little to do with negative stereotypes. Often, people get animals when they are kittens or puppies and as soon as the animals start to grow, they aren’t as “cute” anymore. Or they get animals without understanding that animals need attention and training (even cats), and abandon them in frustration. The answer is education for potential pet owners, as well as shutting down puppy mills. Spaying and nutering is essential. Friends of mine work tirlessly to establish kill-free communities, in which animals are fostered, rather than put down.
notquiteold
March 30, 2016
Holy Cats and Dogs, Renee! You really got a reaction on HuffPost! Isn’t it fun?!!?!
aginggracefullymyass
April 5, 2016
Way cool!!