The day is September 12, 2015. I just adopted my first pet. I name him Carlton and I immediately feel the need to upload a picture of him and show the world that I am now a proud mother. The picture is up for an hour and I'm already being labeled a "cat person". I don't think much of it at the time because my newfound excitement for my fur baby overpowers any form of judgment coming my way. But this rewarding feeling quickly vanishes as I post more pictures of him and the negativity persists. I suddenly feel the need to defend all "cat people". Wait, am I accepting that I am now a "cat person" even though I've never owned a cat before Carlton, even though having a cat throughout college is more affordable and less demanding than having a dog, and all I wanted to do was save his life and have a warm, furry friend I can depend on?

Throughout the year I've had Carlton, I've discovered that the only people who bash "cat people" are "dog people". See, "dog people" think that since they have to walk their dog and show it constant affection, they are superior. Well, "dog people", cats are immensely loving and a lot of work. They have their own personalities and when given the proper amount of love they can be just as affectionate as dogs. I'm not denying that they can't be sassy and cause mischief, but the countless videos of dogs rummaging through trash and tearing up furniture proves that dogs aren't angels either.

While I do not consider myself a "cat person", that is the label I have been assigned according to anyone that knows I have a cat. I absolutely love dogs and plan on owning many throughout my lifetime, but I do not appreciate the negative stigma that certain people give off as soon as they realize I own a cat. I'm in college. I do the best that I can and give Carlton the world because I knew what I was getting myself into when I got him. Just like I know I want to wait until I have more time and money before owning a dog and I shouldn't be criticized for being responsible enough to realize that.