I’ve been thinking about this since this morning and the more I think of it, the more I’m puzzled.
Do people subconsciously pick their pets, based on their own characters?
Here’s the scoop. I have four cats. Not much of a dog person, but that may be because I live in an apartment and have most of my life. I like dogs, I just think of myself more as a cat-person.
I picked up one of my cats today, and said, “You’re such a cheeky monkey.” LIGHTENING BOLT MOMENT! Not only is that the nick I choose for message boards and chat rooms; it’s the nick my grandma used to call me when I was a kid.
Then I analysed my cats’ personalities:
Savannah: Male, despite the name (long story) Big fat lazy cat who’s bossy and gets what he wants. When push comes to shove, though, he’s a big chicken shit.
Like me? Check!
Doris: Adopted as a stray. Had babies that were given away too soon. Mourns it to this day, though that was 7 years ago. (She goes around with a pair of socks or a facecloth in her mouth and CRIES like you’ve never heard a cat cry. She’s in a trance at this point and you have to snap her back to reality). Hunting skills that could kill you in a second, but the most push-over cat I’ve ever seen. Also, nervous enough that she is on medication to stop her from licking herself.
Like me? Check! Not that I’ve had babies but I mourn the fact that I don’t have a family and it haunts me daily. I could kill you in a second too, but I’m the most gentle person you’ve ever known, if you’re able to break the “wall” I put up around myself, in self-defense. I’m not on medication, but my nerves are the bane of my existence. I’ve always blamed that on being a Virgo.
Henri: The shyest cat you’ve ever met. I call him my Shy Guy. Avoids conflict at all costs. Runs from trouble. But gets into these moods where he’s had enough and fights back. When he does, EVERYONE is scared. Could be the alpha-male, but chooses to take second place. When he feels safe, he’s very flirtatious and loving.
Like me? Check!
Bingo: The most pain in the ass cat you’ve ever seen. Angora. Tiny. Knows she can get away with shit cause she’s cute. No care in the world, because she’s confident that her cuteness will get her where she needs to be. Whiny. Kvetching. Princess-style.
Like me? HELL NO! And she’s the one cat that I “put up with” because I won’t give her away or euthanize. She gets along with the other cats, because they recognize her as the baby, though she’s the second oldest. She’s the biggest pain in the ass animal I’ve ever seen. I give her as much attention as the other cats, but it seems she believes she’s queen. Can’t stand her really, but love her because “she’s my baby and responsiblity”. Also, she was an accident. Long story but the pet shop screwed up.
I won’t begin to mention my previous pets. But the same kind of familiarity is apparent. All of this being said … I know I’ve seen pics of owners and their pets, where they truly RESEMBLE the pets, physically. Is it possible that we CHOOSE pets, subconciously because they resemble us? Or do they end up resembling us because of who we are?