Woman's Best Friend?

My kitty friend <3

The intriguing thing about cats is that you don't instinctively love them on sight the way many people do with dogs. They're distinctly different in the sense that you have to grow to appreciate cats, and learn how to love them.

I've always been a dog person myself, growing up I'd had a couple dogs, but I have never owned a cat until I became an adult. Now, I love all animals, but the thing about dogs is that well-trained dogs instinctively love you back, and they crave your attention in a way that invokes affection naturally. Dogs are what you make them into, and they're naturally social animals in the sense that their instincts drive them to seek your approval, and like a loveable child, it's hard to resist them.

Cats on the other hand, don't naturally respect people, and often don't even seem to really like us. They couldn't care less about our approval, and totally lack the desire to please us. This does not warm the heart in quite the same way that dogs do. And yet, there's something about them that have made them one of the most popular pets in the world, their relationship with humans tracing back thousands of years. 

Difference between Dogs vs. Cats

Cats are creatures with minds of their own. They aren't as interactive as dogs and are not nearly as active. Most of us can't hook up a cat to a leash and take them around for a walk-they'd hate it and end up being dragged. A lot of people have had bad experiences with them and that fosters dislike even years later, and many have allergies to them and their litter.

So what's so great about cats? Well for starters, everyone knows they're lower maintenance as they require less attention and care, and are notorious for being clean pets. That's a given. But what makes people, especially women specifically, actually love them?

Miss Mia

 It's really not until you get a cat of your own, and see how they are firsthand, day-to-day that you come to respect them. That's the key, really, I may still like dogs more and find them better in certain things-but I respect cats on a different level. They're intelligence, agility and curiosity is fascinating. The funny things they do every day and their ability to keep themselves entertained is admirable. Their personalities are hilarious and with cats when you earn their love that's something hard-won. They don't love everyone, most people they won't even like, but if you can gain their love and affection that's a far greater challenge overcome. You know you deserved it and there's something to be said for that.

Come to the International Cat Festival next weekend- I'll be there!

Bookworm

I've heard that the average person is admirable to read more than 10 books a year. What?! This boggled my mind, and even when I did my research I've heard it ranged around 6-16 a year. That's depressing to me. I consider that easily done in a month, even though we all have busy lives. Hell, Oprah is one of the busiest people imaginable and she's an avid reader. And I'm not stupid-I knew that the amount I read was more than what is considered normal because let's be real-reading is a dying hobby, but I didn't know it was that low.

By this point most people are probably thinking-uh, did I even read a book last year? Or for fun-ever?! Haha, don't get me wrong; I get it. A lot of people find it boring as hell and would rather do almost anything else with their spare time. I feel that way about myself about sports and watching tv for the most part, so I know that feeling only too well. 

I get social media addicts for sure; I mean news and gossip is interesting-there's variety for whatever you like, and it's interactive. That makes sense to me, and I understand why Millennials or Generation Y are far more heavily reliant upon technology than any generation preceding it. (Just wait for Generation Z though-they're already blowing us out of the water guys) Technology is winning out over a good old-fashioned book. Even when many do read nowadays, people are using Kobos and Kindles and other e-reader tools instead of good old paperback novels that still have that satisfying page-smell.

Growing up, I got bullied and teased for reading so much, although more so for thoroughly enjoying it I think than anything. I got used to hiding it, and being embarrassed as a youth. Which I find highly ironic because nowadays people think it's so great when they find out how much I read. Then again, once my age group hit University and College age things definitely changed. Now being smart is considered cool. How times have changed! 

Honestly though, I wish I knew more people that enjoyed reading like I do. It's hard to find fellow book-lovers out there and reading isn't exactly easy to do with other people either. It's not like you can read a book together with someone like you can watch tv or movies (ugh) together; it's totally different. I admit it can be frustrating when my peers talk about some show or another and I'm lucky if I've heard of it at all. I should join a book club.

Getting a job at a bookstore was probably one of the smartest things I've done this year. Being surrounded by like minded people is great. Already I've come across so many potential new reads and learned so much, it's fascinating. Like, did you know that the most commonly stolen book is in actuality the bible? How's that for irony!