Why I Love Cats (Featuring Tetra)

Cats are honest. Cats do what they want to, no compromises. Cats don’t do things out of pity or duty or because they’re afraid of disappointing someone. If a cat is doing something you know it’s because they want to.

Pictured: a cat.

If you want to play and the cat doesn’t want to play, the cat won’t play. If you want to cuddle and the cat doesn’t want to cuddle, the cat won’t cuddle. Cats may try new things or learn new skills, but they know when to give up and admit the task is beyond them. When they fail, they may indulge in some embarrassed self-grooming, but they won’t genuflect and grovel for forgiveness;  they have realistic expectations of themselves. You can always trust cats, because they are always sincere.

Pictured: a cat who wants to cuddle.

Dogs aren’t like that. Dogs have such a thirst to please that they can be trained to save lives, track down criminals, and do so many other tasks that make life better for mankind. But they need that training from humans, or else they’re just eager to please and unable to perform.  Unless someone puts in the many hours of hard work to train the dog, it doesn’t matter how sad it is when it knows it’s disappointed you... the dog will always disappoint you.

Pictured: a cat who wants to be between two shirts.

I’ve begun to think of people in this way. If you’re dealing with someone who’s eager to please, they may commit to what they lack the training to do. When they fail, they’ll be genuinely sorry to disappoint you, but still unable to change their ways. If you’re dealing with someone whose motives come from within themselves, who does only what they want and know they’re able to do, you can trust them.

Pictured: a cat making no promises concerning the welfare of your flowers.

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t rely on people who desire to please; it’s an admirable and positive trait that sometimes makes people very reliable indeed. But if you ever do, make sure that person is capable of what you ask of them. Often, they’re blind to their own shortcomings, and will overcommit.

Like all “metaphors for life,” this lesson is oversimplified and not universal, but may help in certain specific contexts. I welcome you to apply it or not apply it as suits your needs.