On Cats, Dogs and Social Networking

Why is it that many women post pictures of cats online on their social networking sites?

On Twitter, Google+, Facebook, Pinterest, even YouTube, I see cute cats with humorous slogans, mean cats in threatening postures, sly kitties taking advantage of their owners, cats, cats, and more CATS!

And I’ve noticed all of these are posted by women.

Maybe I’m biased ‘cause I’m more of a dog person than a cat person, but in a completely unscientific poll – judging from the numerous social networking sites I belong too – I’d say there is a definite slant towards posts about cats to dogs, and all the posts about cats are from women.

What’s the fascination with felines by females? And why isn’t there an equal amount of posts about dogs from men?

I don’t mind cats. I don’t adore cats. I can live with or without cats.

You can train a cat. Just unlike a dog which comes when you call his or her name, cats will only come if they want to come when you call them.

Cat’s have attitudes. Dogs are loyal. Cats nudge and meow when they want attention, other than that, they often just want to be left alone. Dogs love attention, even if they didn’t bark or jump begging for it.

Dogs may beg at the dinner table for scraps.

Cats never beg for anything.

You can put a leash on a dog, and take him or her to the park to play ball, Frisbee or to catch a stick.

Most cat’s don’t go on leashes, and I’ve never seen a cat catch a Frisbee and bring it back to their owner.

Some let their cat out at night, to play with the other cats in the ‘hood.’ If your dog accidentally gets out, you’ll spend hours looking for him, though many often find their way back.

Dogs help the blind find their way, sniff out dangerous and banned substances at airports, and have been part of police forces worldwide to catch bad guys, find lost children in the woods, and locate survivors of plane crashes and avalanches. 

I’ve never heard of a cat joining an elite team of search and rescuers.

Dogs usually play heroes on television and in the movies. From Lassie and the Littlest Hobo which always brought lost souls together, to Santa’s Little Helper on The Simpson’s very first episode which saved Christmas, even to Snoopy , the cartoon dog that often saved Charlie Brown from self-embarrassment.

Most of the cats on television and movies are self-centered, egotistical and evil. From the Austin Powers movies, Dr. Evil’s pet is Mr. Bigglesworth, a cat only a villain could love. Cartoon cat Garfield is always trying to get fed, even if it means getting his dog buddy Odie into trouble. Even lovable Morris from the classic Tender Vittles cat food commercials was so focused on getting his ‘Vittles’ that he’d ignore even the most amusing situations occurring around him as he ran past to his feeding dish.

Not that all cats are mean, and all dogs aren’t. Just ask the crazy cat lady down the street.