Truely a cat person

I've been a cat person since birth. Whatever that says about me as far as sanity goes- oh well. It is what it is. Two weeks ago, I started working with dogs for the first time. And cats too, but the dogs are the only new part. And I vowed that I could be equal parts cat and dog, a lover of both species with equal vigor.

Nope.

Now, don't get me wrong. I like dogs; honestly, I like them a whole lot. I can hug and play with my friends' dogs for hours on end. But the difference in their care is my breaking point.

This week-end was my first animal care week-end at work. Saturday evening, Sunday morning and evening, I'm in the clinic taking care of the animals. I've done this before at my old job (minus the dogs), and it is no sweat. I actually like going in and getting to spend time with all the animals without the phone ringing and appointments coming in and other emergencies to attend to. Just me and the kitties. And the pups.

Here's taking care of the kitties:

-Hi kitties!

(blank stare)

-OK, swallow your pill!

(annoyed look)

-Here's some food!

(purrs)

-And...... freshly dumped litterbox!

-And some petting!

-(purr)

-And a little more petting!

(purr... now leave me alone!)

And the puppies:

-Hi pups!!!

***(WOOF, WOOF, BARK, YIP, YIPE!!!)***

-OK, here's your pill, which I strategically hid in some yummy baby food!

***(WOOF, WOOF, BARK, YIP, YIPE!!!)***

-OK... um, you missed the pill there, let's try this again!

***(WOOF, WOOF, BARK, YIP, YIPE!!!)***

-OK, good job! Now, here's your dinner- AH, shoot, you knocked me down, and the food went EVERYWHERE!!!

***[food is immediately scarfed off of the floor in under 5 seconds)***

-Oh... well, looks like you got it there.

***(WOOF, WOOF, BARK, YIP, YIPE!!!)***

-OK, let's go out and go potty!

-Oh, look! It's raining! Let's make this quick, ok buddy?

***(WOOF, WOOF, BARK, YIP, YIPE!!!)***

***sniff, sniff, sniff***

***...sniff, sniff***

***................sniff....***

***pee's***

***Drag's me to the door to go back inside***

***(WOOF, WOOF, BARK, YIP, YIPE!!!)***

-OK, here's some fresh water for you!

***splash!!!***

-OK, little excited there, let me wipe that up and refill...

***(WOOF, WOOF, BARK, YIP, YIPE!!!)***

-OK, here's the fresh... Hey!!!

***Has just pooped on the floor of the cage***

-Um, why didn't you take care of that when we were outside?

***Tail wags excitedly, begins to jump around, thrilled with the accomplishment***

***(WOOF, WOOF, BARK, YIP, YIPE!!!)***

***(WOOF, WOOF, BARK, YIP, YIPE!!!)***

-OK, the poop is cleaned up, your water is fresh, you've finished your dinner, you've been outside. Anything else I can do for you?

***(WOOF, WOOF, BARK, YIP, YIPE!!!)***

***Paws on shoulders, face licking***

-Mmmmmmm, thank you! (Cuz I do appreciate the doggy thank you- something you just don't get from cats very often.. or from men.)-

One shower and two Tylenol later, I sit watching my nice quiet cats curled up asleep on my feet, and I know one thing for certain: Dogland is a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.