Who could resist a cute kitty?Cats - either you love them or you hate them. Ok, that's not entirely true, because you can still tolerate cats without being a cat person. Thinking back to your very first cat, what is it about your pet that made you either a) want a houseful or b) vow never again? Did your first cat's crazy antics capture your heart?
Here's what 10 women around the country shared about their first cat.
"My first cat arrived less than a week after I moved into my own apartment for the first time. I carted him home from a feline foster home in a cardboard box, perched on the front seat of my first car. As a young graduate student and fledgling freelancer, I loved the study break and stress relief the frisky kitten provided each day." -- Linda Ann, Madison, Wisc.
"Until I had my first cat, I thought I was a dog person. But that cat changed my mind, ran to the door to greet us when we arrived home, jumped up on the couch to watch television with us and even protested with loud meows if we changed the channel during America's Funniest Videos." -- Jae, Indianapolis, Ind.
"I had lots of outside farm cats growing up and always loved them. The first cat I called my own was a calico I named Maryanne. She was so sweet and I just loved her. Unfortunately, she was killed by a car but not before she left a daughter -- a tortoise shell calico that I named Patchwork. Patchwork was a rough and tumble cat and lived a long life outdoors but she was totally my cat. She followed me around the yard and when I went outside she would be next to me. She was really the cat that made me adore all things feline! I've had lots of cats through the years but I can never forget those first kitties." -- Tammy, Marion, Ill.
"My first kittens, the ones I got when I moved into my first apartment, were insane. They hid from me for three weeks before ultimately deciding that the chick who kept feeding them must be one of the good guys. They were fantastic, playful, and definitely got into tons of trouble. The cat I have now has a huge personality and loves to play, but he's older and doesn't get into too much trouble. I've always had a cat around and can't see myself without one!" -- Deborah, Runnemede, N.J.
"My first kitty I got when I was a teen. He turned out to be a monster. Every night, he would attack my face while I was sleeping. My parents made me get rid of him. I didn't like cats for the longest time. However, when I had my own family, I decided to give cats another try. I currently have two and I love them! Cats are unique in their own way." -- Kim, Jackson, Mich.
"I had my first cat when I was just a girl. My mom hated him and that made me love him even more. He used to hang on the screen door to get in the house and ripped it up several times. He slept on my head every night, and my mom was always afraid he would smother me. Still, he followed me everywhere, protected me, and listened to me. He was my best friend." -- Lisa, Austin, Texas
"My parents always had pets when I was a child, but the first cat that was truly mine I adopted 18 years ago after I rented my first apartment. Nicodemus was a rescue cat, but in truth he rescued me from terrible loneliness. When I met my future husband, he first had to pass the Nicky approval test...we were worried for a while there! That cat was my best friend, and I miss him dearly." -- Kim, Tampa, Fla.
"As a kid, I always dreamed of having a pet. My mom grew up on a farm, so to her animals were meant for outside. My father was allergic to cats. When someone dumped a pregnant mama behind our store, I wanted to keep all four kittens inside, but couldn't. I could only enjoy them outside, which wasn't satisfactory. As soon as I had my own place, I rescued abandoned kittens to have as indoor snuggling pets." -- Andrea, Rochester, N.Y.
"My cat was the first living being that was all mine to take care of as an adult. I loved her because I can relate to the 'leave me alone until I don't want you to' thought process, but after her I never wanted another one. They are like toddlers because they get into everything they shouldn't. Today we have cats because my son can't walk away from an animal. I admit; I had forgotten how much I enjoy their antics." -- Kathy, Knox, Ind.
"My first cat was a Siamese that decided I was acceptable to cuddle with from time to time. My mother was under the misconception that Sasha belonged to the adults in the house. Sasha proved her wrong when my father fell asleep with his head directly in Sasha's walking path across the back of the couch. She stopped walking and sat for a minute. Looking first at my mother and then at my father's head; Sasha politely biffed my father's ear with her paw. When he jumped up out of a sound sleep, Sasha continued on her way across the back of the couch. I knew that any animal with that kind of intelligence was perfect for me! " -- Julie, Carrollton, Ohio
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