Great post! I was recently in The Hunt section of the NYT
(www.nytimes.com/2004/12/19/realestate/19hunt.html?
ex=1261112400&en=fd2623661704349f&ei=
5090&partner=rssuserland) written by Joyce Cohen, and she talked to me about how her column may be becoming too cat-centric. They always try to get any cats in the pictures. Interestingly enough, in the slide show featured in the article, there are more pictures of my cat then there are of either me or my boyfriend.

As for living with my animal, it is hard to find a place for the litterbox in a loft. There are no walls to hide it behind, and my bathroom is too small for it, nor can I really stand litterboxes in the bathroom. I ended up building a little wooden shed/outhouse over it that hides the box and the smell perfectly.

I shop at NYC Pet on Bedford, in Williamsburg. They have the complete line of Wellness cat food, which is what I feed my cat. I really can't stand any other cat food; they are full of fillers, and I just cringe at the idea of feeding that to an animal I cherish. So, I consider that a rip off, pet stores that stockpile crappy pet food (mostly the chain stores).

I find that pets are a bit like children, you become in sync with them and so it is hard to leave them, it limits your life a bit. However with that little sacrifice comes a lot of joy and an improved quality of life.

What I've never understood are those people who are loyal to just one species. I have both a dog and a cat, and can't imagine a life without either of them.

Does boyfriend count?
Hehe

I mainly don't like dogs because they are too clingy, too high maintenance. My cat at least can go to the toilet on its own. If I had a farm or something, then maybe I would consider a dog.

I grew up with both cats and dogs as pets (not to mention snakes, mice and a raccoon). But ever since college it has always been cats, I guess for selfish reasons. I can leave them for a weekend without any worries. And we bought a coop last year that only allows cats, so of course I now long for a dog...

Having an animal companion is an important and rewarding relationship I love. Now that my dog is 15 years old the term
caretaker has more meaning than ever. I shop my local pet shop for basics and other nyc stores like Spot at 16th and 7th Ave.
and Fetch on Greenwich for special treats and items from George. Speaking of George, Moss on Greene St had a wonderful
gift item for a dog owner, a pair of toys in the image of its stick logo.

I've spent all of my adult life with a beautiful, crumudgeon, demanding cat. (who is deeply loved) She also actually does her job (by scent alone) keeping away the other "default" NYC pets.

Which leads me to ask? Why not allow those who have companions *not by choice to answer?

Mice are the default animal companions in this town (let's not speak of their larger relatives), and reason alone to send people to petfinder to find a loving companion that might help keep their apartments vermin free--while purring.

Our tiny kitty with the super model svelte figure is the most popular girl in our loft (there's 6 including her).

..but lately I've been thinking she should rock some of the latest couture...both for the fancy factor and the warmth-besides-my-lap factor.....

These rubber oriented NYC fashionistas (on E. 2nd between A / B) have turned their attentions to canines...complete w/ sassy I (heart) NYC hoodies for all types of doggie-models...
alas, has anyone had success with dressing kitties and their canine-jealous people friends?