Paws & Reflect: Cats, Dogs, and the Art of Getting Along

Perhaps it’s just my perspective, but I categorize people as either dog or cat personalities. I find this quite entertaining! While I can’t claim my accuracy is flawless, it might be just as reliable as the groundhog’s predictions.

Full disclosure, I am a DOG personality. I’m all in with the pack, socializing and playful. I’d consider myself an Alpha Dog with my larger-than-life presence. Still, I still appreciate a cat relationship. In fact, I love learning how to navigate the world with that perspective. It enriches my life and helps me grow.

Psychological studies suggest that “cat people” are often seen as more introverted, open-minded, and sensitive. In contrast, “dog people” are typically viewed as more extroverted, sociable, and outgoing.

Are you with me so far?
Good, let’s take it one step further.

Over the years, I’ve engaged in many discussions about relationships that can be quite challenging to navigate. Although the individuals involved love each other and try to communicate, their relationship often lacks ease. During one of these talks, I blurted out, “It’s pretty simple: you’re a dog, and they’re a cat.” There it was, I said it. My friend chuckled and replied, “You know, you’re right; it really is like that.”

Imagine this scenario: one partner resembles a big, friendly golden retriever. This partner is eager for love, play, and adventure. The other partner is more like a reserved cat, standoffish and uninterested in socializing.

In situations like this, it’s easy to think, “Well, this will never work,” but is that truly the case? I’m not just referring to romantic relationships; I mean this in the context of all kinds of connections.

Recently, I welcomed a new puppy into my home for Nigel to enjoy. Observing the evolution of their relationship has been nothing short of incredible.

Here is what I learned.

1. Connection will happen over time. Nigel is the Alpha dog. He wasn’t interested in this new puppy for about 65% of the time. He would interact but he would always keep his distance. Nigel wouldn’t even let Ollie sit or lie next to him initially.
2. Boundaries are important . Nigel set that boundary with a hard line in the sand. Ollie figured it out real fast what he can get away with and just how far to push it.
3. Be yourself but still respect the boundary. Ollie kept being his little crazy puppy self and still respected Nigel’s boundary. That’s not to say he didn’t try to push it from time to time.
4. Patience. Nigel was setting the tone, but he also realized that Ollie was a puppy. Nigel exhibited behavior like how a human would act with a small child. It was pretty amazing to watch. Nigel actually helped with “housebreaking” Ollie. When Ollie wasn’t responding to the command I was giving, Nigel would show him.
5. Taking a break is okay. YUP, when Nigel had enough, he walked away. Took a breather. Same with us, its okay if that certain someone is getting your fur up! Take a breather.
6. Find commonality. Nigel & Ollie both figured out what they enjoyed doing together and started to play more. Same with us!
7. Recognize that body language! Ollie always recognized when Nigel had reached his limit by his snarl or his low growl, as it was unmistakable. These were indicators of his discomfort and need for space. It’s crucial to pay attention to such cues to foster better communication and avoid unnecessary conflict.

We all recognize that relationships aren’t as simple as bringing two puppies together. Yet, we can certainly learn from our furry friends. Much like puppies, which need patience, understanding, and a touch of playfulness, human relationships flourish with similar qualities. Keep joy in our hearts like dogs do. They wag their tails and dash around. This reminds us to celebrate the little things. We should appreciate one another presence. The loyalty and unconditional love of our pets show us how to nurture each other. They teach us to support one another during tough times. This is especially true when communication may break down or misunderstandings occur. By embracing these valuable lessons, we can strengthen our relationships and cultivate a deeper, more compassionate connection.

Nigel & Ollie are wearing bowties and bandanas from a great Small women owned business Simply Plain Fancy – Nigel has been modeling for them since the age of 6 months!
Check them out – https://www.etsy.com/shop/simplyplainfancy/?etsrc=sdt