作为一名常年资深狗奴，我没想到我有朝一日竟然栽在了猫主子手里！╮(￣▽￣)╭
悲剧是这样发生的……
曾几何时，我也是一枚坚定的狗奴，最爱大金毛和喜乐蒂，心心念念一直想养两条天天抱着玩。然而，工作原因导致时间无法固定（之前我在投资银行IBD搬砖，现在在做机构投资，工作时间跟着项目走，加班家常便饭），再加上为了工作方便直接住在了市中心金融区步行10分钟的公寓，家里空间小，周围能给狗狗玩乐的绿地少。为了狗狗的健康成长，我忍着一直没养狗，偶尔照顾下朋友的狗，聊以慰藉。
然而今年年初，各种阴差阳错，家里迎来了一个猫主子，名为Akari。
不知道多少人和我一样，在接触猫之前，对它们没有多少了解。我对猫的印象，一句话可以形容，胖并傲娇着。比如很出名的日本猫叔。
然而和Akari接触下来的这大半年，我渐渐爱上了猫这个傲娇的生物!每天睡前，起床后，逮着机会的时候就把她拎过来狠狠吸一把，那滋味……
ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ
但是和朋友聊天，我能体会到大家对养狗司空见惯，但对于养猫，很多人不甚了解。因此我打算分享我总结的这十一条和养狗比起来，养猫咪的好处，让大家都了解一下主子的魅力！
1. 铲屎君比捡屎君要轻松
曾经帮朋友照料过一段时间她的狗。那是一个寒冷的冬天，尤其在枫叶国这个冬天能把你耳朵冻掉的国家。我每天早上5点爬起来，花45分钟走到最近的公园遛狗。每天下班回家，还要再遛两次。每当在那呼啸的寒风里捡着狗的屎粑粑，我的心……(╥╯^╰╥)
Akari也是在一个寒冷的冬天来到我家的。我每天都干了啥？就是和她一起在家宅，抱着她吸。我给她整了一个豪华封闭式高级洗手间，毫无异味，每隔一天把猫砂一换，轻轻松松！
2. 你见过遛狗的，但你见过遛猫的吗？
狗狗们精力旺盛，需要奔跑才能消耗，这也是从它们健康角度考虑。但是猫咪们，如果你不想遛，就在家舒舒服服地和它们一起躺着吧。只要你姿势摆对了，他们会很愿意躺在你身上和你一起看一下午肥皂剧哟！当然想遛猫的童鞋也是可以选择遛的，毕竟主子也是需要运动的嘛！
3. 猫咪是安静的动物
相信我，虽然狗狗们活泼可爱， 但当你需要在家安静的工作学习时，一只跳来蹦去的狗真的会让你抓狂的。猫咪有它们自己的生活，如果你需要安静，它们不会来打扰你。今年我养猫的时候，也正在备考CFA金融分析师的最后一级考试。在我考前一周在家突击学习的时候，Akari给了我绝对的安静空间（只有一次她无聊了，为了吸引我的注意力在我身后撕了我一张纸……）。我也顺利考过了！（此处应有掌声！）
4. 猫咪们还很干净
以前帮人养狗的时候，我每个星期都给狗洗一下澡。但是狗狗们太过奔放，刚洗完澡去溜一圈回来，浑身一股“狗味”。对比Akari，我就很少给她洗澡，因为猫咪来说，不能给她洗太多次澡。然而不管何时抱起她，她总是很好闻！当然这也给我惯出了没事儿撸猫吸猫的毛病……
5. 猫咪是室内动物
如果你的学习工作很忙 （比如像我这样），养猫绝对更适合你！
6. 你可以说猫傲娇，但我管这叫独立
猫绝对是个独立的动物，它们可以和你玩，也可以自嗨，吃喝拉撒也不需要你操心。Akari每天自动自觉的吃饭，喝水，上厕所，玩玩具和给自己洗澡。只有在吃完了盆子里的猫粮，而我又忘记给她加粮的时候，才会把她爪子踩在我脸上叫我给她加餐。
o(*≧▽≦)ツ
7. 取决你养的猫的品种，但猫一般没有狗掉毛掉的多！
我心心念念的大金毛儿和喜乐蒂都是出了名的掉毛。我估计我要养了他们，这每天家里估计跟下雪了似的。然而Akari就是短毛猫，基本不怎么掉毛，用刷子刷也不会刷出很多毛。每天我家扫地机器人Roomba一扫，干干净净！（说到这儿想插一句，扫地机器人真是懒人的居家必备良品，现在已经和洗衣机，洗碗机一起被我供上神探！找天测评下！）
8. 养猫，经济实惠！
不得不说，狗砸们虽然可爱，那花起钱来也是杠杠的！吃的方面不用说，一只大金毛就能把你吃破产。狗狗要是有个三长两短，那医药费简直是直击你的道德底线。朋友家的金毛（对又是这货！），食物中毒，在医院花了整整两万加元才救回来。
如果你觉得怕狗狗生大病招不住，买个宠物保险是最省心的。然而朋友家小型泰迪，每个月保险费就要100加元，很多项目还不保。但不给他上保险吧，到时候弄出几单上万的医药费，辛辛苦苦上班一年都白干了。而且狗砸活泼，到处乱跑乱吃，这受伤概率直线上升。
Akari也惹过事儿（也是乱吃），不过她保险费只要25美金一个月，还是可以接受的。而且猫主子吃的也少呀，一大袋猫粮，够吃半年的了。换成金毛，半个月都够呛！
9. 猫咪寿命较长
这个很不幸，是客观因素。
大狗寿命10-12年，小狗12-15年，但猫主子呢？
高达20年！
10. 如果你也住在公寓里，那么猫主子，你值得拥有！
前面已经说了，之前我没养狗的主要原因就是 --- 穷！
哈哈，不是，是我住的地方供不下啦！（画外音：其实还不是因为穷！）但Akari只需要有一个很小的睡觉的地方，一间小公寓的空间绰绰有余。
11. 懒人福音：小猫不需要训练！
朋友家亲戚刚领回来一支胖嘟嘟的柴犬，贼拉可爱！但他们哭诉说，小狗刚领回家就在在屋里尿了三次了。他们尝试想教育他去院子里解决，无果。这已经过了一个月了，我知道他们还挣扎在DogPotty Training 101。
╮(╯﹏╰）╭
你说说，如果他们领了只猫，事情就容易多了是不是？再小的猫都知道该去哪里“解决”。当然你可能需要训练一下他们不要跳到厨台或咬电线，不过也就仅此而已了。是不是很容易？
最后总结
所有的小动物都是值得被疼爱的，不管是猫主子还是狗儿砸。
但在你决定领回家一个小生命之前，请务必做好功课，以及要准备承担照顾他们的责任。
反正我对于领回家一只狗砸这件事，依旧贼心不死。
不过如果你也像我那么忙，那么先选择抱回一个呼噜呼噜叫的小猫咪，也是一个不错的选择哟！
这篇文章最早发布于我的个人博客，不过是全英文的，哈哈，读起来可能有些吃力。我找了个机会重新拿中文写了一遍，不是翻译哟！英文全文也附上，供大家参考。
中文---> English
In all honesty I was a dog person 100% (they're just too cute!), but now I know that cats can be just as adorable and make great companions (little kids). It also helps that Akari grew up to be extremely loving, attached to people, and the cutest thing in the world!! So for all you dog readers, I encourage you to take a second look with an open heart toanother possible ball of furry love in your life.
1. Scooping is Better than Picking up Fresh Hot Poo
At the time I knew I wanted a pet, I was working in investment banking full-time and wasn't confident I could walk a dog three times aday. Cats are able to go do their business in the litter box and I can scoop it out whenever it's convenient. I ended up working 12-18 hourshifts and was completely swamped so this was a much better decision. I can't imagine walking the dog an hour multiple times a day through rain, or shine, or snow with such a busy schedule.
2. Cats (Mostly) Don't Need to be Walked
Unless you have a bengal or savannah cat, you probably don'tneed to walk them if you don't want to (although it's still encouraged!).Personally I try to walk my cat a few times a week just so she can get somefresh air and eat some grass along the way.
3. Cats are (Mostly) Quiet
I do enjoy a bark or woof at times, but when you live in an apartment (no pets in dorms) it's easier and more acceptable to have a cat.
4. Cats are Clean
Every time I smell Akari, she always smells so good!!! I rarely give her a bath (help control shedding. no hair balls so far!) and she still smells great. That's because cats lick themselves everyday, but dogs don't. I have a lot of friends with dogs and as cute as they are, they still have a strong smell even after they took a bath the day before.
5. Cats can be Indoor Only
Keeping cats indoors is encouraged just because there are a lot of things that can happen if you let your cat outside unsupervised. Also if you have a busy life or you enjoy Netflix more than the great outdoors, cats are perfect!
6. Cats are I-n-d-e-p-e-n-d-e-n-t
Often times people see this as a con because they interpret it as unloving. But when I'm doing something, I don't want an overly excited dog jumping on me, constantly trying to lick my face. Akari is more than happy to sit right next to me and ask for a belly rub. Cats can be left alone for most of the day when you go out to work too and when you come home your place won't be a mess.
7. Cats Don't Shed as Much
Even though I brush Akari's fur to help prevent hair balls,she doesn't shed much if any. Dogs are known for shedding even if they have short hair. Brushing is still mandatory for them.
8. Cats Cost Less than Dogs
Whether it's a visit to the veterinarian, food, or even pet insurance, dogs just cost more.
9. Cats Generally Live Longer
Depending on the dog you have or are interested in (mutt or purebred for example) can depend on the average lifespan. However ingeneral, indoor cats live longer than dogs.
10. Cats Don't Need Much Space
Unless you have a small dog, it could be difficult to raise your pet in a studio apartment downtown somewhere. But regardless of where you live, cats don't need a lot of space. Akari just needs a window or a lap to sleep on.
11. Kittens Don't Need to be Trained
Puppies are notoriously known for "rough" behaviorin the early years because they need to be disciplined on where to go to the bathroom and what not to chew. Now kittens still need some behavioral adjustment like not to jump on countertops (if that's what you want) or not tochew on cables (not all cats do this including Akari). However overall I would say that kittens require very little training. If there is a litter around,they already go there once they find it. For Akari I just needed her off the countertops to be safe from the stove. And for fun I taught her how to sit and give me her paw on command.
In Conclusion. . .
Akari is adopted and extremely loving. In fact all animals deserve a loving home. So whether you choose a cat or dog, be sure to research all you need to know so you can accept the huge responsibility of caring for another life. I still adore dogs and would like one when I am confident I can fulfill their needs on a daily basis, but if you are like me and work a lot, sometimes staying at home with a purring kitty is a nice stress reliever.
