The ultimate question....

[MarkJr]

Tin foil had more prints than the counter. Seems he was curious.

Sticky tape required the wife digging it off the couch where he removed it from his self.

 

[Sapphire Sebright]

We used to have a dog. Not sure what she was, but we knew that she had some Chocolate Lab and I think some Husky in her. Named her "Socks," because her paws were white while the rest of her was dark. Very fluffy, soft fur, but all that needed to be done with it was the occasional trim and comb-through.
She was the friendliest, gentlest creature that I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, I think. Very good with kids. Would go chasing after a thrown treat, and them come running back with her tongue hanging out and her tail wagging.
We had to have her put down because she was getting old and her bowels were getting dysfunctional, among other things.

I like cats, but I prefer dogs. If I were to get a cat, I would get a few barnyard kitties to eat the mice, and wouldn't keep them indoors all the time like some people do. Maybe on the really cold nights, but if it responds to cuddle attempts with hissing, scratching, and general kvetching, then it's not living in my house as a pet.

Also, chickens. Those are my actual favorite.
Biased towards puppers, even more biased towards birds.

 

[MarkJr]

Awwww poor baby!!! Glad he’s okay!!

Old picture. He made full recovery. Also, may have drug small barely feathered owl to their back porch a few days after stitches were removed.

He’s a little guy. Only 12 lbs.

 

[Phneyda]

I have 3 dogs & 1 cat, so I love both. I cannot compare the two, they’re different and precious in their unique ways. Dogs are fantastic, but it’s a given they’ll like you if not love you. Cats on the other hand can be very hit or miss so when you click with a cat, it’s an amazing experience. The ancient Egyptians were on to something!
There’s a reason why people who are lucky enough to have ever experienced *that* connection with a cat become infatuated with that cat. I feel bad for people who have never experienced “that” connection even though I know a lot of people don’t care...they’re missing something lol.
Also, our cat never steps on his own poop. He has a ~$500 WiFi enabled litter robot litter box. **editing, I’m not trying to brag...this litter box does prevent poopy cat feet, but more importantly it prevents our dogs from eating the cat poop then licking our hands and faces which is the most disgusting thing I’ve experienced in my entire pet having experience (looking at you Max!).

Our resident cat.

Our resident cat poop aficionado.

 

[Sapphire Sebright]

Honestly, another reason that I may not like cats very much is due to the fact that my few experiences with them haven't been pleasant.
One cat was mellow and chill, but goodness forbid that you touch his stomach. Scratched my arm with those little flesh-shredder paws of his. He was on his back, and I had just been petting him, what else was I supposed to do?
The other cat was just a snit. A certifiable snit. She did not like me (or anyone, according to her owner). I didn't touch her. I looked at her and said hello, and she hissed at me. Angrily. With all her fangs.
All this happened when I was younger, too, so, well, these things kind of stuck. The angry one suddenly had one hundred three-inch fangs, and the tummy-touch-hater one cut me open from elbow to wrist. In my childish memories, at least. It was really only a few inches.

And suddenly, I am writing novels.

 

[MarkJr]

I have 3 dogs & 1 cat, so both for me. I cannot compare the two, they’re different and precious in their unique ways. But there’s a reason why people who are lucky enough to have experienced *that* connection with a cat(s) become infatuated with their cat(s). I feel bad for people who have never experienced “that” connection. They’ll never get it. View attachment 2465933

This experience? He’s still a turd.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

My wife’s cat NEVER jumps on the counter when people are around.

He does leave his muddy paw prints on it over night. So far rat traps haven’t foiled him. Next up is one of those electro shock stay down mats. If that doesn’t work, we may have to discuss the reason for his existence on this earth.

Cats are a-holes.

Before you give up on him, try this:
Take some duct tape and make inside-out circles out of it. You know, sticky circles, with the sticky side out, so it's like double-sided tape. Make about six to eight of these. Scatter them about on the stove top before you go to bed. I'm guessing it's a smooth, ceramic or glass-top stove?

The cat will jump up there one time, won't like the feel of the sticky tape on its paws and will jump right off. I would do thus two or three nights in a row and I would bet the cat will never jump up there again.

But just to be sure, see if you can figure out WHY the cat jumps up there. If there is, for example, uncovered butter sitting next to the stove, or a can of bacon drippings, those are very attractive to cats. Cover them or put them in the fridge. It's not fair to put something tempting to the animal in plain sight and then punish it for going after it. Remember, YOU are the one with the big brain. All the cat has is instinct. The cat is just doing what cats do. Good luck!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Aww, poor thing. He's very pretty!

That's pretty cool. I had never seen a "comfy cone of shame" before. Neat!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Honestly, another reason that I may not like cats very much is due to the fact that my few experiences with them haven't been pleasant.
One cat was mellow and chill, but goodness forbid that you touch his stomach. Scratched my arm with those little flesh-shredder paws of his. He was on his back, and I had just been petting him, what else was I supposed to do?
The other cat was just a snit. A certifiable snit. She did not like me (or anyone, according to her owner). I didn't touch her. I looked at her and said hello, and she hissed at me. Angrily. With all her fangs.
All this happened when I was younger, too, so, well, these things kind of stuck. The angry one suddenly had one hundred three-inch fangs, and the tummy-touch-hater one cut me open from elbow to wrist. In my childish memories, at least. It was really only a few inches.

And suddenly, I am writing novels.

I love your novels!

 

[MarkJr]

Before you give up on him, try this:
Take some duct tape and make inside-out circles out of it. You know, sticky circles, with the sticky side out, so it's like double-sided tape. Make about six to eight of these. Scatter them about on the stove top before you go to bed. I'm guessing it's a smooth, ceramic or glass-top stove?

The cat will jump up there one time, won't like the feel of the sticky tape on its paws and will jump right off. I would do thus two or three nights in a row and I would bet the cat will never jump up there again.

But just to be sure, see if you can figure out WHY the cat jumps up there. If there is, for example, uncovered butter sitting next to the stove, or a can of bacon drippings, those are very attractive to cats. Cover them or put them in the fridge. It's not fair to put something tempting to the animal in plain sight and then punish it for going after it. Remember, YOU are the one with the big brain. All the cat has is instinct. The cat is just doing what cats do. Good luck!

My counters are bare and everything is put up before bed. Every night. From the tracks, he’s using the windows as vantage points outside.

He’s a turd.