Tag: Pets

Dogs and Cats

June 6, 2025

Recently I published an article entitled “Animalities” in which I spoke of the personality traits that we attribute to our pets as being animalities, not personalities. These characteristics of humans that seem to carry over can also be referred to as doganalities and catanalities.

Along with these ideas, I believe that we humans have some features that we recognize in our pets but may not see in ourselves. We have all heard the saying, “Dogs have owners. Cats have servants.” You could call this a dogitude and a catitude.

A dog is usually easygoing, loyal, and laid back. I know this leaves out pit bulls, chihuahuas, mastiffs, and some other breeds. I hope that I am following our dog, Biscuit’s example. I also do things my wife does not approve of. I do not pee or poop in the house or dig trash out of the cans like he does. We all have our faults.

Both the cat and the dog like to get loved and petted and so do I. I however am not welcome on Cindy’s lap. I think it is because I weigh a lot more than they do. I can be noisy like the dog. However, I do not bark. My loudness is usually just talking or snoring.

Biscuit likes to do what he is told unless I am the one speaking to him. He looks at my wife to see if she says he must obey me. If she repeats my requests he listens. Sometimes children do this to one parent or the other. That is when you know who the real head of the house is.

I hope none of you are like cats. Ours believes that the house is hers to do whatever she wants. She plays or fights depending on the mood she is in. Anything she can get to is a toy. Anywhere she can squeeze into is her space. Life is easy for Essa until the claws come out. That is when we stop playing or loving. We bleed easily.

Time heals all wounds. I heard that stated differently once. Time wounds all heals. Think about that for a while. When I was in college my sister had a cat that loved to attack and play with me on the stairs leading to my bedroom. After Cindy and I got married and went over to my parents and played with her, I had scratches all over my hand and arm. Today I am on blood thinners, and this is not a good habit to get back into.

Living a dog’s or cat’s life is not good for humans. You need to earn your own pay, pay your own keep, and keep all you can. Don’t take more than you give or let others take advantage of your generosity. Life isn’t easy. It is manageable.

It’s okay to spoil your pets. Allowing your children or others to run roughshod over you is not a good idea. I have spoken against trying to make yourself number one. It is also inappropriate to make anyone your priority 24/7. Our spouse and kids should get much of our time. Bosses or others may think that your salary entitles them to all your time. If so, now is the perfect time to look for a better employer. There are numerous positions available currently.

©Copyright 2025 by Charles Kensinger

Animalities

March 24, 2025

You’ve never heard of this word? What about doganality or catanality? The dictionary definition is “quality or nature associated with animals.” My explanation is much simpler.

People have personalities. Animals have animalities. Dogs have doganalities and cats have catanalities. For people, the word explains how they act and their characteristics. We often refer to our pets as having personalities.

We want them to be like us. We try to attribute our feelings and emotions to them. Think about what it would be like if we did the same thing in reverse. Cats are said to be stuck on themselves and self-focused. Do you know any people who act like cats? I can think of a few.

Would you describe anyone as being as faithful as a dog? We talk about those who are as clever as foxes or wise as owls. Why not loyalty like a canine. Is every dog as faithful as any others? No, some are trained to be mean or angry on command. This type of education can backfire on the owner or trainer.

Have you ever heard of catting around? Both men and women can have this attribute. Are you doggedly determined to accomplish your goals? Men can be described as the same.

I have read a lot of books over the years about how to communicate in a marriage relationship. “Men are from Mars; Women are from Venus.” “The Five Love Languages.” “I’m O.K. You’re O.K.” These are just a few. These deal with reasons why men and women have difficulty in communicating.

I am in full agreement with these authors. However, I believe that we also need to point out that some people have their own personalities. These peculiarities can make it hard for their spouses to communicate with them.

Even our pets can be different. My cat loves to fight when she plays. Other cats we had were laid back. She is inquisitive and adventurous. We have a dog that can be described as a scaredy dog. He is a good watchdog that is very protective.

Just like cats, some people want to do what they want to do. Some might call this selfishness. Have you heard the saying, “It is like herding cats.” Cats and some people will do their own thing and not ask your permission.

One of the dogs’ dominant traits is their faithfulness. Many believe that this is a God-given trait. We have had several pets over the years, not just dogs and cats but also guinea pigs, gerbils, and many other species. There is something about these two types that is unique. We have had dogs and cats at the same time. They got along fine. Sometimes, it just took time for them to learn how to deal with each other.

The main secret is that they learned to respect and appreciate each other. That is what it takes to be a real family: growing to know who you are as a person and who the other person is. This is called intimacy—not sexual intimacy. It is spiritual.

Conversation and communication are essential to this kind of relationship. Remember that even the most different individuals can become friends and much more. It is work, but it is worth it.

©Copyright 2025 by Charles Kensinger

Goodbye, Meow

December 9, 2022

Some of you will not relate to this column. Others will understand and some may have had similar tragedies in their lives. Thirteen years ago, our daughter’s family adopted a kitten. Their oldest girl gave it the name Meow. This was what she answered when asked what a cat says. They had a new baby girl at the time. She is now in Middle School.

meow has been slowing down the last few years. As we all must, she died tonight. For those of you who have fur babies and children, you know how this family is hurting.

I’ve buried a number of pets over the years. My wife did not grow up with dogs or cats around the house. When we moved into our second rental house and discovered that we could keep a dog in the fenced yard, we got our first dog. Our home has been blessed with many furry friends for over forty years.

Our daughters know the pain of losing a loved one because they have had these friends die. We have lost cats, dogs, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, bunnies, lizards, fish, and even a chicken that I called dinner. That last one left our home alive. We never asked the farmer who took him what happened after he went to the farm. The first chick we took in died a few days after it was brought home.

Life goes on even when we lose human loved ones. Being able to cope with this grief can be learned by children if they suffer the pain of losing a pet. Losing a cat is not as bad as having a family member die. For children, it can be as traumatic.

My grandmother and President Kennedy both died in 1963. I do not remember being that upset by either of those deaths. When we lost our cat, princess, weeks later, it bothered me a lot more. Dealing with death is difficult for anyone. Children can have trouble coping with these feelings.

Raising children and grandchildren is often challenging. I ask that you remember this family as they teach the kids how to cope with emotions that they have not experienced before. If your family is grieving over a loved one or a pet, I would like to say that I am sorry for your loss and hope that this article has helped in a small way. God bless you.

©Copyright 2022 by Charles Kensinger