If you’ve ever had the opportunity to have a cat as a pet, you have probably realized that you do not own your cat, your cat owns you. With cats, everything is on their time. They will only sit down with you and snuggle if they want to. If they do not want to, then there is nothing that you can do to change that. They have claws for a reason, and they are more than happy to use them. I have found that cats utilize their claws, even when they are not being threatened. I like to believe it is just a force of habit and not because they enjoy clawing people. Somehow, even when I get clawed by my cat on accident, I never manage to be upset with them for more than a few moments.

Just like any person, animal or inanimate object, cats have good and bad qualities.

They are the best snugglers next to boys, but the difference between boys and cats is that cats won’t break your heart, so, sorry boys, but cats win this round. Cats are also like portable, walking, fluffy heaters. Sometimes they get a little loud, especially when they are lying right next to your ear, but it's something you learn to live with, and it may even bring you comfort.

Another thing about cats is that half the time, they are just minding their own business. It is nice to know you can do your own thing and they can do theirs. It is also nice that cats are creatures of habit, and if you ever can’t find them around the house, they are probably taking a nap in one of their many usual napping spots. In my household, you can find my cats either curled up together at the end of my bed or behind the couch in a patch of sunlight that has escaped from between the blinds.

The other half of the time, if cats aren’t minding their own business, they are all up in your business. They either want nothing to do with you or will not leave you alone. Since I have come home from college, I think my cats are trying to make up for lack of attention. Whenever I come downstairs in the morning, one of my cats, Autumn, will begin to weave in and out of my legs like it is a choreographed dance. It's kind of humorous, except that I’m usually half asleep and end up tripping over her as I’m making my morning coffee.

Contrarily to popular belief, cats become part of the family, just as much as dogs do. They roam around as if they practically own the place, so it's kind of hard not to consider them a family member. Just like a child, if they want something, they will let you know. Although a meow is not as loud as a dog barking, it's still louder than you would expect. Sometimes it even sounds like gurgling, but it sure does get your attention.

I will admit, I have always been a dog person. It was only after my family rescued my two cats that I realized I am also a cat person. However, despite all the annoying qualities cats may possess, we still continue to love them.