raining cats and dogs

it's a funny expression, isn't it? it's raining cats and dogs. i've always liked it. but concerning cats and dogs - not raining, mind you - which one is the best pet? most people i know would say that it would be a dog, and yes, i can see sense in that: dogs (generally speaking) are loyal, funny, and make good company. but cats have a charm of their own: when they sleep, when they hunt, when they go berserk for no apparent reason. it's funny to toss a ball and watch the dog retrieving it, dutifully. the cat would run after it, yes - but only to fight with it. if you want to have fun, just give the cat a ball of cord. and watch it for a while.

but there are more differences. cats are independent - most of them, that is. they have more personality. dogs require more attention. my old phylosophy teacher told me once the fundamental difference between cats and dogs. it is a joke, of course, but one that hides the truth underneath:

"a dog stares at his owner and thinks: this fellow over here, he feeds me good food, he provides me shelter, he plays with me, he takes me out for a walk. he must truly be god. while a cat staring at his owner would think: this guy over there, he feeds me, he provides me shelter and a clean sandbox, he plays with me, he lets me do whatever i want. i truly must be god!"