My family is excited to welcome you back to another Pull Up a Chair Conversation — Questions That Make Us Go Hmmm… Today’s question is one that can start a fun debate: 🐱 Are you a cat person, a dog person, or do you love them both? Why?
For me? I have to say… I love them both. If I had my way, I would probably have a baby kitten sitting beside me right now. For as long as I can remember, I ‘ve dreamed of having a beautiful white Persian kitten with blue eyes. And believe it or not, I have had a little glimpse of that dream thanks to Charlie and the LORD.
During a very hard season in my life, a tiny white kitten showed up on my front porch at our trailer. Charlie found her when he was leaving for school, and he brought her inside. And she became my kitten. Her name was Susie. I truly believe the Lord brought Susie to me when I needed comfort. She was my little companion during a difficult time. Then one day, she was just gone. I’ve chosen to believe that the Lord sent her on to another family who needed her love and comfort too. That is the story I choose to hold onto.
But dogs have always been a big part of my life too. Growing up, I had dogs, and one of my favorites was a full-blooded St. Bernard with a black diamond on his head. His name was Apache Warrior Chief. My ex and I bought him together, and he was not cheap — he cost us $1,000. I loved that puppy so much that I would travel to Rome once a week just to sing to him until I could finally bring him home.
That puppy was special. Unfortunately, life changed, and when my ex left, he took Apache with him and gave him away. But I still had Susie’s dog, Samuel Tigger Oz. And I am so grateful I did. He brought me so much comfort after losing Susie. Eventually, I had to put him in my mother-in-law’s yard, and one day he became sick and passed away.
Then David came home with a tiny puppy. And I remember looking at that little thing thinking… “What in the world am I going to do with this tiny dog?” I wasn’t sure I wanted a small dog. But after taking care of her for a couple of days, she grabbed a piece of my heart. I finally decided her name had to be Sandy from Grease.
And that little dog? She was not just a dog. She was a personality. She could be a little bit of a “brat” when I left her home alone. She would ignore me for hours afterward like she was letting me know exactly how she felt. This is why she was none as a B…. But she went everywhere with me. If I ate at a restaurant, I brought food home for Sandy. She was my little companion. And then one day, the Lord called her home.
David told me I could get another puppy. And that is when Phoebe came into our lives. Charlie picked her name because she was named after Phoebe from Friends. We found her at the Haltom City Animal Shelter during Christmas, and they allowed me to adopt her. And she quickly stole my heart.
Phoebe walks beside me when I go walking. She stays close. She doesn’t have to be on a leash because she knows where she belongs. When we were transitioning from our trailer into our apartment, my mother-in-law kept Phoebe for a while. And guess what? She fell in love with her too. She tried to keep her.
But nope. That was not happening. Phoebe was mine. Charlie likes to pretend he is not too fond of Phoebe. But I know better. When she first came home, he wanted to keep her in his room. At night when he is getting ready for bed he tries to get her to come and sleep with him but she is not leaving me.
And Charlie has Bear Bear, his service dog, who is a very important part of his life and Charlie also has Angel, our black Lab who is out at Uncle Don’s, and we sometimes watch Gunner, a friend’s dog. Along with all the dogs in our Apartment Complex and Granny Sherry’s Dogs Penny and Emily.
So yes… There are lots of doggies in my life. But not many cats. Unless you count my sister’s cats slippers and socks — because honestly, I hardly ever see those cats even though I love them like they were my own cats. Then there was our neighbors cat Falcore a beautiful white Persin who was bling I feel in love with but has been called home.
Which brings me back to my original thought… Maybe that is why I still need a cat of my own someday.
So today’s front porch question is: 🐱 Are you a cat person, a dog person, or both?
Tell me why!
Do you have a pet who changed your life?
Because sometimes our pets are not just animals.
Sometimes they are the little blessings God sends us exactly when we need them.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates