There are cat lovers in Trinidad, but not nearly enough!

Here, many people keep dogs for security or as pets.  For a lot of people, it is a question perceiving a “use” for a dog that they do not have for a cat. Dogs are guards and sometimes companions.  They patrol the yard and defend the home.

They are pleased to see you, whether you have been gone all day or just long enough to buy a paper.  When you’ve just been dumped and need trustworthy, loving companionship they are there for you.

So what about cats?

Cats can be loving companions or as aloof as royalty.  They may come out to meet you when they hear you park the car, or refuse to show the slightest interest in your return from a three-week trip. Should you offend your cat, she may change from a sweet, affectionate friend, who sits on top of you, flexes her claws in your jersey and purrs loudly, to a cat-shaped iceberg.

You have to earn her approval but oh! the joy you feel when you have it.

Dogs are ‘pack’ animals: cats are not. This means that while dogs need the companionship of their own kind or of humans, whom they regard as honorary pack members, cats are natural soloists.

A dog regards its owner as the pack leader.  A cat permits its human companion to provide for its needs. In return, the cat may be affectionate or aloof according to its personality or to the way it feels at a particular moment.  This independence makes a cat an ideal companion for those who are out at work or otherwise busy. Although they enjoy the company of their adoptive humans they are quite capable of occupying themselves when left alone.

Those who are allowed outside have territory to explore, neighbours to greet, wildlife to chase.  The indoor cat will happily spend hours staring out of the window, watching the world go by.

Of course, all cats devote a great deal of time to sleeping and grooming themselves.  Personal cleanliness is very important and it is rare to see an un-groomed cat.

A cat always takes care of itself unless it is sick or if it has difficulty grooming when in advanced old age.

Most cats who are shown love and attention from young will respond by showing the same to their humans. Some show their satisfaction by purring loudly while others cannot be heard, but you can feel the vibration throughout their bodies.

Some cats ”talk” to their humans.  You say, ”Good morning”, they say “PrrrrrrroW!”. Whatever you say to them, they respond with mews, trills and wails.  Siamese cats are particularly well known for their piercing voices.