I know, that's kind of like asking a mom if she has a favorite child, when she has several. My mom's standard answer (she had five) was "whichever one needs me the most, for however long they need me".
Obviously, every pet is different, but just as obviously, some will bond more closely with their human cohabitants, or in different ways.
I got to thinking about this the other day, as I kept dumping Rubia off the computer table.
Why? Because she's a licker. And it annoys me when she licks my hand as I navigate with the computer mouse.
I prefer his form of interaction to hers. I do love both of my critters, but they are different, and I do find one suits me more, so I guess that makes him my favorite?
How about y'all? Do you have multiple pets (I know many of you do)? How are they different from one another?
Life is good. Spark on!
I think you hit upon the answer. You love them both, but prefer the behavior of the Prisoner over Rubia.
ReplyDeleteHave to say ,the same with kids. I have a DS and DD. When one would ask me whom I favored (unfair question to ask a Mom, as you said), I would reply "You are my favorite son (or daughter -- whomever was asking)" They never caught onto the nuance of that answer til they were a little older. LOL BUT by then they stopped asking.
Love the pictures of both Rubia and the Prisoner. Rubia looks like the cat in charge. LOL
hugs
barb
1crazydog
Interesting that the two shots make her appear to be the one in charge. I have to say when they disagree, she is generally the aggressor. He is older than she is, by about 3 years.
DeleteOh my gosh, can you imagine the RIOT which would ensue if I announced a favorite amongst my critters??!!?? (It’s me, Val! Annoyed that Google won’t let me ID myself)
ReplyDeleteOh, Val... you're a professional... it would be impossible for you to decide amongst the many species and patients as well as "permanent residents" with you.
DeleteBehavior influences feelings. Every dog has its day...or cat...as the case may be.
ReplyDeleteTrue. It's also true of us humans. Sometimes our behavior puts others off, whether we intend it or not. When I finally realized that we can't help hurting others at times, it made me sad, because I wanted everyone to be happy and like each other. Middle child syndrome: the peacemaker.
DeleteThere was only one time I had more than one pet. I had two cats, one was mine and the other my sister had to give up because he hated my nephew. That cat was crazy, but sweet.
ReplyDeleteIts a good thing that I only have one dog. I don't think Scooter would be happy with another one.
My two cats and my grand-dog give me plenty of reason to not adopt another pet. I don't think Prisoner and Rubia would take well to a third cat, and I know how they feel about dogs... and Carl would have been just fine with them. He used to let son's can beat up on him and never retaliated.
DeleteHmm, no contest here really.
ReplyDeleteKC the Sunshine Dog, age 9 years & with us for 6 years, is my cuddle buddy that only barks at squirrels, deivery personnel, and people walking on his sidewalk in front of his house. Not a licker, which is a trait for most Maltipoos (Maltese+Poodle mix). He loves his stuffed toys and playing toss and keep away with them. When he wants to play he lays one of his toys at my feet and stares at me to get with the program. He is fairly chill overall which changed some since lockdown and spouse continuing to work from home -- spouse's caffeine-fueled nervous energy has rubbed off on the pets which their groomer has commented on.
Bailey, also a Maltipoo, age 13 years & with us for about 3-1/2 years (age had been misrepresented by several years), is very skittish, loves to lick anything and anyone within her range, especially faces which is a no, no for me. We got her as a companion/playmate for KC since he enjoyed our neighbor's dog but that did not materialize as planned. They tolerate one another these days but early on it was such an issue for them to share anything/anyone -- turns out she is a covert alpha dog that barks a lot. KC seemed so unhappy that when a couple of friends who wanted Bailey came to meet her in person, I choked up and the tears ran at the thought of her leaving us. In just a few months she had become part of the family. Also, she wanted nothing to do with the couple and gave them the side-eye stare from a distance, running under the bed when the lady got down on the floor next to her.
Spouse is Bailey's human. KC seems an equal opportunity pet. I would hate to choose, but if forced would pick KC. This is coming from a bird and cat person in her early days.
Bailey's previous owner had 2 dogs and 2 cats and had her house foreclosed on, was facing several surgeries, and was allowed only 1 pet under 20#'s at her assisted living apartment (not in same city as us). She chose her Shitzu with epilepsy as she didn't want her to go to a shelter but made it very clear that Bailey was her favorite of the 4 pets. We have a kind of open-adoption situation where I send her periodic pics and stories about Bailey.
PHOENIX1949
Awwww... how kind to send those pics to Bailey's previous owner! It's hard when people get older and have to give up their pets, or even harder when they die and somehow the pets have to find new homes. When my dad died, a friend of my sister's took his cat. A gal at work lost a friend and she had promised to take care of Cindy, her older cat, so I took Cindy in, at that point. An 18 year old cat doesn't last terribly long in a home she's not used to, but at least she had a couple of years with us.
DeleteThen when my brother died, his daughter took great lengths to make sure his kitty fit in to her household. She was so patient with her dad's cat, and it took close to two years before the cat accepted my niece as her "person" but the transfer was successful.
It doesn't take long, as you saw with your Bailey!
Hmm, Chewy beats out Winnie as he's more polite. He'll stand at my feet patiently waiting for the footrest to go up so he can sit between my knees. Maybe a gentle nudge with a paw if I'm slow.
ReplyDeleteWinnie is the all legs and tail "flop about the house dog" who flails her paw, guided by legs that feel 3 feet long, on you to get your attention. Immediately licks your face. Awww, I love her, too!
It's the same with the grands. I love the one with me best at the time they are in my face. They are so unique! Lucas is in my scientist and scholar. Ben is the funny man and empath. Caroline is, well, Caroline. Little mommy, sneaky, habitual liar and and all-around cutie.
Thanks for the question.
Your favorite is whoever you're with... isn't there a song about that... "if you can't be with the one you love..."? Now you have an ear-worm. You're welcome!
DeleteAll those grands are growing up! Believe it or not the bride and groom to be drove me to the dog park outing today and they were talking about discussions they have been having about adopting, rather than conceiving... obviously not until after they have been married for a while, but I'm glad they are considering children, however they are comfortable bringing them into the family.
Children are whole people, from day one, and we are lucky to have them around us, just as the world is lucky to have a certain portion of us "elders"!
I’ve never owned a pet. My sister is the pet one. Her pets always seem to like me, I think its because our “pet” voice sounds the same.
ReplyDelete-RunKeeper Dee
💖😁
DeleteTigger is feral and so doesn't not let us get too close. She is the first cat that I have ever had that didn't want to be touched. She does insist on being with us all the time but only close by. Bear was cuddly but his health issues were way too much for all of us including him. Tigger did not like him around at all so she shall stay an only cat.
ReplyDeletePoor Bear. Rubia can sometimes be a bit like Tigger, in that she'll run away from me when I pick her up. But she allows petting and sometimes will even sit on a lap. Every cat is an individual, I've never in my 70 years had two that I could call "twins" in terms of attitude/behavior. I guess that's what makes them so fascinating!
DeleteBoth “critters” are beautiful and very lucky to have you to love them!
ReplyDeleteEissa7
Thank you, I feel lucky to have them giving me yet one more reason to get up in the morning.
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