Confession time..

[Shirley]

I was always brought up with dogs and had my own beloved Suzy, a cross collie i found when she was about 3/4 months old, way back in Jan 1980, while i was pregnant with my son! 

I was scared of cats cos my cousin had one and he used to stare at me-i always thought he was going to pounce on me!   

Helping look after my Charlie, his sister,his mommy, all the litters she had, plus any other ferals that  turned up for feeding at work, got me over my fear and now i adore them!! 

[maryas]

So glad you all changed your views on cats 

I've always loved them and I was 3 months old when my mum and dad got Tibby.  We had dogs when I was a kid and loved them too but wouldn't have one now cos I don't have the time or energy to care for one.

I always stop and stroke them when I see one - in fact the other day at Tesco, one was tied up outside crying for it's owner so I waited with it until he came out - he laughed his head off at me

Mary

[Cooper & Peanut]

I've never been frightened by cats, but I grew up as a dog person (although I've never actually owned one  )

I wanted to be a dog trainer when I was at school, even applied to be a kennel maid at the GDBA (didn't get the job cuz 'my' dog wouldn't stay still long enough to show my brushing technique!  )

Thanks to Brackenhurst College (ND in Animal Care course) - I developed allergy related asthma, I'm really bad with rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs and cats!

Anyhoo, since then (and 1 million different jobs later) my love affair with the canines weakened and I have been 100% converted to felines (despite the sneezing and bulging eyes)

Polo was my first love (rescue) - he was so amazing and taught me just how special cats are and that the love they give you is unconditional.

Then Alex came along (not a cat) and introduced me to Possum (a cat). She made sure that my love for our feline friends only got stronger and stronger. I am now officially 100% addicted to cats!

My life has the biggest void when there are no cats in it 

[tab]

I have memories of when i was scared of cats my Gran told me this story about how she went to bed one night and in the night was joined by a purry furry. Sounds lovely but after my grandad died she didnt have any pets  Turned out next doors cat had adopted her and while she was putting the rubbish out had slipped into the house and she had no idea until hours later when it got into bed with her....now that is just a typical cat isnt it!!!!

Dont get me wrong I still love dogs even my parents very odd collie who i dont understand at all 
love
tab

[Steff - Petsearch Bedford HQ]

Gill, I always think of you and Kocka when people mention not liking cats in the past...she was so special along with all the other cats that changed peoples views.

My parents already had Sooty by the time I came along...my confession is not that I hated her but I used to follow her and copy her...I have vague memeories (and photographic evidence) of me sitting in the coal bucket...copying what Sooty did. I could have been a little cat child...brought up by cats lol!!

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Thanks Si and Kocka is in my heart always 

[Guest]

I hated cats until beautiful Kocka walked into my garden in 1995 and insited on lying by my side and broke into my house, she melted my heart, taught me how to be a cat slave and that year was my last holiday.

She made me laugh and cry and I still miss her so much and I have loved cats ever since, she taught me how.

Awww Gill, that is lovely xx

[Zenith (Liz)]

My OH really didn't want me to get a cat, but I really wasnt coping after a year with no cat in my home.  I've somehow managed to get away with three  and she adores them all.  I do get the blame when they're up to mischief though (normally Luna  )

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I hated cats until beautiful Kocka walked into my garden in 1995 and insited on lying by my side and broke into my house, she melted my heart, taught me how to be a cat slave and that year was my last holiday.

She made me laugh and cry and I still miss her so much and I have loved cats ever since, she taught me how.

[clarenmax]

I was bitten by my Auntie's cat when I was about 6, wasn't even doing anything to her, she just lashed out at me (transpires she was scared of children  ), and their alsation also hated small people, so for years I was a bit scared of cats and dogs lol! 

When I started seeing a lad when I was 18, they had a couple of cats at home, and I slowly learned to trust that they weren't all hissy spitty creatures lol, and from then I'd always wanted animals 

[Den]

Awwwwww, that's how I was just 3 years ago!!! Really wasn't keen on them at all.

Now I can't imagine my life without one!!!!!! And I find myself gushing over everyones pictures. Doggies will always be #1 but I shall always make a space for a kitty or 2 or 3. Memphis is my soul mate and he's taught me just how wrong I was about cats before.

[Guest]

My Oh was a bit "meh" about cats, now he idolises Ella and Effie and I am trying so hard to get him to come round to the idea of a male cat 

[Ellen2010]

Ok I was petrified of cats after my brother threw one at my back when I was 8 years old as I had shown him up in front of his mates when my mum sent me to fetch him as he should of been in 30 minutes earlier for his tea.  This lasted until I was 18 years old and as I loved observing cats but was just scared of them decided when I became pregnant to get over my fear of cats by getting a kitten so that I did not pass that fear onto my children.

We were never allowed cats as my dad was dogs only and the fact my mum refused to have one as when my brothers were little she nursed a kitten for a week with cat flu and it passed away between her checking it and she swore she would never have another cat and to this day never has.  Although it will hit her hard if she is here if something happened to my Russian Blue as that will go directly to her knee when she visits and will stay there the whole visit.  Ok so my mum sits where the Russian Blue normally curls up and sleeps 

I think I can successfully say that I am now over my fear of cats 

[Kirst]

In an Ideal world I'd have lots of both!

[tab]

 

I grew up with dogs and always wanted a cat but we lived on a main road and my parents wouldnt let me. Because of that I used to go around the neighbourhood picking up random cats and cuddling them. Needless to say I got rather hurt in the process and by the time I was a teenager I hated and was frightened of cats. That meant of course very cat I came into contact with would sit on my knee and I would sit totally rigid in case it attacked me.
Then I got Mogs and she taught me how to treat a cat and now Amber just takes advantage of me.

I agree cats rock

(Im not mildly pished but give it time  )
love
Tab

[mervyn7451]

When I was a lad,my family had dogs,Spaniels,gun dogs.My step mother/witch* hated cats & it sort of rubbed off on me.Now I have never been cruel to cats,when I saw a cat in the garden,I'd lob a sod of earth at it to scare it away.

However,when I got my old & best mate Orbit,that changed.Cats are magical creatures.I mean for example,Daisy is curled up on my lap asleep after a feed & a wash.It's taken me two hours near as dammit to watch the Apprentice I Sky+'d the other day!!

I've paused it soo often just to watch Daisy I've lost count!I couldn't imagine life now without a cat in it!! Hell,Orbit split up a a relationship with my ex!
Cats rock!

* delete as applicable.Mom died in 73,I was 10y/o.Never got on with the step princess!
(and yes,I'm mildly pished!)