Does your pet have 'a person'

[Queenofwistfulthinking]

I would love either a cat or dog but sadly my work schedule does not allow this just now and wouldn't be fair to them.

My favourite topics/threads on Mumsnet is either reading about the cats or dogs and all their different quirks and personalities.

One thing that always fascinates me is that most of them have a chosen person who they are devoted too.

Does your pet have a person, who is it and can you think why?

My DH is allergic to cats, his family had a dog growing up, never cats, he didn’t want a cat. The now 17 year old cat is absolutely his cat. He goes to DH for ear rubs and chin chucking and dh is the only person allowed to tickle his tummy.

our 4 year old cockapoo adores DH, when she comes back from walks with the in laws (they are our doggy day care) she rushes in past me to find a slipper then tear round the house to look for him.

his mum is her second favourite person, as she makes the dog little lamb pies.

then dh’s son. He stayed with is for a couple of weeks and the dog would sit outside his door in the morning, but wagging, to get in and say hello.

if he brings a girlfriend round the dog gets jealous and sulks.

after that it’s a vaguer list…but she absolutely loves everyone being together.

and she cuddles up to me at night.

My big ginger Maine Coon has my DD. He comes into the living room and looks for her - if she's there he hops up and settles next to her. If she isn't he will keep looking and eventually come back and lie in her spot. I feed the cat and am around all day but my DD is the one who cuddles him and pays more attention.
My dogs it's me - because I'm around all day, walk and feed them. When one of them was younger she used to refuse to walk unless I went too (she's better at that now).
But they all are happy with everyone - it's not like others are ignored. They just gravitate to particular people.

When we first got our dog I worked in a dog friendly office so she came to work with me and I was with her pretty much all day every day, I would have said I was the favourite.

Now it's 100% DH. I work from home so we are still together a lot, but DH also does 2 days from home and since a rough pregnancy 2 years ago DH took on most of the walking and feeding. She is his shadow, needs to be close to him at all times. She still loves me and will cuddle if he's not around but if DH is here that's where she'll be.

I am my insane toddler's fave, DH gets the ever so slightly calmer dog.

I can read DDog best in the family so he normally gravitates to me.
The dog sitter has magnetism that none of us can match. He only has eyes for her.
But his favourite person is the dog biscuit guy from the park. He can spot the guy at 30 meters even if we meet on the street, and squeals and wriggles for attention.
So undignified.

Ours is dh because he fusses her and lets her sit next to him on the sofa. I’ve tried but I really don’t like dogs, I was told I’d feel differently about this one as we got it as a puppy and it is a very cute thing, but I still find myself not really wanting to touch it.

2 kitties, no1 attached to me, no2 to DH.
Ddog is attached to me, although I'm out at work, DH retired and at home. I'm a fun mum who does fun stuff with her, though.

We have two cats and they love me and my youngest son the most. My boy cat loves DS so much that he follows him round the house, like a little dog at heel. Both will go to the other family members, but they love me the most. Presumably because I did most for them as kittens like feeding and so on.

Yup, this current pair is our 3rd lot. My husband grew up with a springer and we love the energy. Got to have 2 so one each for cuddles! Saying that, mine is a proper snuggler, my husband's not so much.

The heartbreak is awful, we lost the second one of a pair in April, but he was almost 14 and had a great life swimming and crashing round the woods. It's awful but I think worth it for the absolute love they give/get. Our lives are geared around them, I've been up at stupid o'clock to let them out/feed them.

I am the dog’s human. Having a brew in bed (wonderful DH) and DDog, as usual, has had his breakfast, come upstairs and climbed onto my lap. He’s 35kg.

This is my current view. Ignore the general shambling mess, we’re off to the groomers this morning (so I’d better get up)!

Our cats all have their favourites, split between DD, and DH. I think I am not their human as my lap is usually filled by this doofus, and look at him with utter disgust so would never share my lap with him.

Oh defo. I have three dogs - two are mummy’s for sure, especially my girl dog who follows me round the house; and one has become a real daddy’s boy. My cats are all mine, lol - they tolerate my boyfriend at best.

Two dogs and three cats - the oldest dogs person is definitely me. I was with DP when I adopted him but living alone, he’s a rescue with an awful start to life and he pretty much only trusts me. He won’t even be walked by DP. Younger dog definitely loves DP more, he’s a cocker spaniel and I don’t always have the energy for him. Three cats all go to DP more for food but me if they want pets/being stroked.

My 2 cats are like my minions. They follow me around. Up & down the stairs, waiting & responding. When my car arrives home they appear etc. They usually sleep on my bed. It's brilliant.

It's because I feed them I guess 😀

This is my 13 year old Greek rescue. I'm definitely his person but he loves everyone! The dog walker, the kids, friends, family, and pretty much anyone that is willing to make a fuss of him. If I get a spare few hours, we go and sit on a beach together and watch the waves. We're both older and creakier now, but sitting on a beach with him reminds me of a simpler time before kids, abusive ex dp, responsibilities, and health problems.

My dog’s person is my husband. It is infuriating because I do all the walking and feeding and my husband often works away but he still loves him the best. When we brought him home as a pup my husband had a week off with him to settle him in and I think the bond was made then.

We have two cats.

DCat1 adores DD and the feeling is mutual. People who talk about dogs being affectionate and cats being aloof have never met DCat1. He is an incredibly affectionate cat and is never happier than when he's curled up with her on her bed. If she's off living her best life, he'll make do with me.

DCat2 is a very anxious cat and doesn't like being handled or touched. However, she comes over and rubs her face against mine. This mostly coincides with feeding time but she has been known to do it occasionally when she has just been fed. I think she associates me with feeding her. She doesn't do this with DD. She sat on my lap once, but hasn't repeated it since.

My mum (who doesn't, and hasn't ever, lived with us) is my dogs person. The dog loves us all so so much, she is utterly devoted to the family......but if she could only save one of us from a burning building it would be my mum.
The reason I think this is, is that the day we picked her up I had flu. Proper flu, can't get out of bed for a fortnight type flu. My parents came to stay to help out and my mum did a lot of the 'let's go outside in the garden' type stuff with her as I just couldn't. The kids played with her loads and we all fed her at some point, but in those 4 days her and my mum just bonded. It doesn't help that my mum goes into proper granny mode when they see each other and spoils her rotten - extra treats, extra walks etc. It's annoying lol

Our cat is essentially DH's although he can be very equal opportunities sometimes. We know when he doesn't feel well because he gets very clingy with me. It's like having a furry child.

I honestly think ddog loves us all in different ways but loves dd best because she takes him the longest walks.

I have a dog and 2 cats. Im their person, especially the dog. The cats are a bit less loyal and tend to pick whoever gives attention/food in the moment. Since thats mostly me, usually they pick me.
To my dog im everything, DH and the kids are fun to play with, but even if they had her favourite treat, she would come to me instead. I do most of the walks. I guess she thinks without me she would be lost. Losing DH or the kids wouldnt change her life much 😄

We have a cat and a dog and I'm their person. Unless my dad comes over, then my dog is all about him.

If I'm in bed, I have to hide my skin from my cat as if she sees it, she starts licking me. I've never had a cat do that before!

DH is the cats slave and she exploits him every day.

She loves DS the best
She exploits and uses DH
Her and I respect each other and chat a lot.

One of our dogs is completely devoted to my husband.

With our two cats the older one adores my elder daughter,has done since he was a kitten,she's his person,he'll chose her over everyone every time.

The younger cat loves my younger daughter,she'll go to her when she's here and if she isn't then I'm her first choice and she follows me around the house.

Yes, my little rescue cat is my shadow. I've never had such a loving cat or one who trots around after me unless hungry.

My dog’s ‘person’ is anyone rustling some sort of food packet within earshot.

We have three Guinea pigs and I take mainly care of them. They are dd's Guinea pigs but how it goes she has lost interest. They know my voice and if I do it one certain tone they begin to squeak because it's food time.