Do you consider yourself an animal lover? Do you own a cat or dog? A bird, maybe? Some people take their love for animals to new heights, throwing them birthday parties and dressing them in the purr-fect outfits. (I couldn't resist using an animal pun.) I myself have been a cat lover my entire life, owning several of varying genders, sizes, and personalities. At present, I have a sassy Calico named Callie who seems intent on finding (and claiming) the most unexpected nooks and crannies in my apartment for lounging.  Cats have a special affinity with writers like myself. Their quiet, often lazy disposition makes them ideal companions, especially when we're typing away at the keyboard.  I respect dog lovers -- and they're abundant -- who want nothing to do with cats. Frankly, I like dogs, but there's no arguing the fact that they're much higher maintenance than their feline counterparts. A day doesn't go by where a dog in my complex passes up the opportunity to en...

A few days ago, I wrote a post about a high school kid who loves his cat enough to make her his date for the prom. Another example of animal lovers making four-legged friends a central part of a special occasion in their lives involves Canadian couple Dominic Husson and Louise Veronneau. The couple flew to California for their wedding, just so they could tie the knot at the state's largest no-cage, no-kill cat sanctuary, Cat House on the Kings. Both share a deep love for felines, and their guest list included over 1,100 of the sanctuary's cats. Since its founding, the sanctuary has helped find homes for over 20,000 cats and 7,000 dogs. Wow. And to think that I call myself a cat lover! This couple takes their passion for animals to a whole new level. While some people might see the couple's move as unusual, I commend them for what they did. Aside from the fact that they had every right to plan the wedding as they wished, they found a way to integrate a cause abou...

I know I'm going to get some flak for this one from all you pooch lovers, but hear me out. I think dogs can make wonderful pets. They're affectionate, intensely loyal, and can serve in a variety of roles -- whether it's to guard one's house, sniff out drugs, or assist the blind. The reasons why I'm partial to cats, however, are many: I've never had a dog in my life. I have had three cats, though. They're less work -- you don't have to bathe them, take them for walks, or clean after them like you do dogs. I love the fact that cats are so hygienic; give them a litter box and they're good to go. Dogs tend to be more energetic than cats. As someone who is generally calm and enjoys a leisurely pace, cats seem to fit my temperament better.  Dogs make more of a mess around the house. They bring dirt into the house and leave slobbered toys behind.  They're less expensive, not only when it comes to buying the actual pet, but feeding it, giving...

We've talked at length about things that women might find attractive in men and vice-versa, from intelligence and self-confidence to a great sense of humor. A new study, though, finds that 1/3 of women registered on Match.com consider a man who owns a dog to be attractive. It also reveals that 1/4 of men find women who appear with a dog in their profile picture to be more attractive. This study has significant implications for men and women trying to dream up ways to meet someone. If you have a dog, you could try taking it for a walk at the park. You're bound to bump into someone who loves dogs and/or owns one at some point. And if the conversation goes smoothly, perhaps a future dinner date is in the cards. I realize, however, that the research is of little value to many people. Not everyone owns a dog, whether because they're allergic, don't want the responsibility, or don't like animals of any kind. It's these individuals who try to find other things ...