Cats trumped Dogs

We are cat parents now. We got our two cats during a PetSmart window-shopping trip back on the first Saturday in Feburary. We like to take the girls down every two weeks or so to see the animals. We figured it was a cheap way to get some enjoyment of pets before we were ready to commit to them ourselves. In January we realized we were getting a decent tax return and decided the time was right! We'd had our eyes on a pair of brothers that had been at the store for a couple of weeks: 8 months old, boys, and shorthairs.

We kept the names they came home with. One is black and is named Pepper. The other is a striped tabby with white chest and paws and is name Piper.

We brought the cats home on February 2nd along with a shopping cart full of accessories. The first couple of weeks were an adjustment for everyone. The cats hid out in the 2nd bathroom during most of the day. We had to work with the girls to be calm and quiet around our cats. In the evenings they would come out to explore. We would lock them in at night to protect the furniture.

I would say they are now completely adjusted. And mischevious! They are always tearing around the house at night with their claws catching on the carpet. They are pretty comfortable around the girls, except for Avery. We leave them out at night now, and they like to sleep at the foot of our's and Eden's beds.

Piper is affectionate but a bit nervous. He has figured out how to wiggle between all the storage containers under our bed to an open space at the middle near the headboard. He loves to follow us into the bathroom for some reason.

Pepper is more independent. He's not one to rub up against you or sit still for petting. But he also doesn't run off as much as Piper. Pepper seems to take a certain satisfaction in sneaking up on and frightening Piper. And Piper always reacts.

One of their favorite activities is to sit at an open window or the sliding glass door (behind screens of course) and watch "bird and squirrel TV". We have a big stand of bamboo near our apartment where dozens of birds roost every night. It's usually pretty loud out there around sunset. I wish I could understand what they were thinking as they watch all the birds winging in to roost.

I'm guessing there are dog people that are wondering why we would go with cats. In truth, Steph is more of a dog person and I am more of a cat person. But we both agreed that cats would be best for our current situation. We have a 3 bed, 2 bath apartment with only a small patio. Indoor dogs aren't our thing, and we have no yard. Also, with the ticks in our area, outdoor animals aren't much of an option. Plus, neither one of us wants to get up at night or go outside during the winter to take the dogs out to use the restroom. I can handle scooping the catbox for five minutes each day, especially because I can do it when I have time. So, wether you agree or not, cats were the best choice for us!