Ask any of my friends or family and they’ll tell you — I’m a dog person. No question. I’m pretty much obsessed with my dogs. They go everywhere with me. I agonize about their health and well-being. I talk about them endlessly. The name of my company is Comma Hound and the logo was modeled after my dog Ranger. I even write a blog from the point-of-view of my dog Mayzie, for crying out loud.

But here’s my dirty little secret, the unspeakable thing my friends and family would be shocked to find out: At heart, I’m really a CAT PERSON.

(Audible gasp from the gallery.)

It’s something I’ve always known from the time I was very small. I can’t help it. I think I was just born this way.

My first love was Tom (original, I know). He was a fluffy black and white cat who broke my seven-year-old heart when he went out for milk and never came back. It was a long time before I allowed myself to love again, but when Annabelle walked into my life during high school, I fell hard. She was smart, funny and a great listener. She wasn’t into cuddling but she could spend hours contentedly curled up next to me. We enjoyed many happy years together until she passed away at the age of 17.

As devastated as I was, I knew my life would never again be complete without a feline partner. Since Annabelle, I have shared my heart with Ripley, Molly, Abby and Smudge. Each of them has brought something into the relationship that is unique and special and decidedly undog-like.

So what is it about cats that gets under my skin and makes me love them so much? Here are six reasons:

1. They’re self-sufficient

I often say that a dog is like a perpetual three year old. They rely on you for everything. Cats, on the other hand, are like having a responsible teenager in the house. Going away for the weekend? No problem. Just leave out a clean litterbox, food and water, and you’re set! And unlike most teenagers, you don’t (usually) have to worry about them throwing any wild parties while you’re gone.

2. They’re low maintenance

Oh, I know that cats have a reputation for being demanding. But for the most part, they’re pretty chill. You don’t have to walk them or bathe them (unless you’re a particularly masochistic cat owner). And as long as their food bowl isn’t more than half empty, they’re content to lie around in the sun, take a bath, and work on their plans for world domination.

3. They purr

I don’t think there’s a sound in the world that’s more soothing than a cat’s purr. Dogs just don’t do anything like it. Be truthful. Would you rather be woken up by a purring cat or a barking dog? I rest my case.

4. They don’t take your crap

Most people are crazy about dogs because they love you no matter what. You can treat a dog like dirt and they’ll still think you’re the greatest person EVAH. But not cats. Nope. Mess with a cat and you’d better sleep with one eye open. There’s a reason there are no cat-fighting rings. Even Super Bad Criminal Thugs are afraid of cats. Fact.

5. They’re still wild

While dogs have been domesticated for about 20,000 years, cats have only been hanging around humans for about 3,500 years. Because of this, they still retain a wildness that dogs simply don’t. Watching a house cat stalk a grasshopper in your backyard is no different than watching a lioness stalk an antelope in the Serengeti. Just on a much smaller (and less life-threatening) scale.

6. They choose to love us

Sometimes I think our dogs don’t have any choice but to love us. Somewhere deep in their DNA resides a must-adore-humans gene. But I firmly believe cats make a conscious decision to share our lives and to be our companions. Yes, when a cat loves you, you are very lucky indeed.

Of course, just because I’m a cat person at heart doesn’t mean I’m not utterly smitten with my dogs. I’m a complete idiot when it comes to them and I can’t imagine my life without them. But I thought it was time to come clean once and for all: I’m a crazy cat lady and I’m proud of it!

So what about you? Have you always been a cat person? Or at heart are you a dog person? Tell us in the comments!

About the Author: Amber Carlton is owned by two cats and two dogs (all rescues), and is affectionately (?) known as the crazy pet lady amongst her friends and family. She and her husband (the crazy pet man) live in colorful Colorado where they enjoy hiking, biking and camping. Amber owns Comma Hound Copywriting and also acts as typist and assistant for Mayzie’s Dog Blog. She encourages other crazy pet people to connect with her on Twitter or Facebook.

Read more about loving cats and dogs:

• I Was a Dog Lover and Cat Hater, But That Changed in an Instant
• I Don’t Like Cats — Except Mine
• Believe It Or Not, Cats Are Easier to Photograph Than Dogs
• 9 Ways to Help Cats and Dogs Get Along Better
• I Used to Hate Cats — Now I Have Three of Them!