I’m willing to admit that we aren’t really feline people. At least not my husband and I. Brian, from the time he was very little, though, wanted a cat. Eventually, he wore us out and we got him Rocky for his 11th birthday.

If I had to have a cat, I’d pick this one again. I’d even think about getting another cat

So, the top ten reasons to have a cat.

1. It will keep you warm at night. Usually by sleeping on your feet or your face, but if you can put up with that, it’s a small price to pay.

2. It will sit on your lap. My lab, not so much.

3. You won’t need an alarm clock. Precisely at the same time every morning – even if you want to sleep in – your cat will remind you it’s time to be fed.

4. It will provide hours of free entertainment. Who needs Netflix or cable or video games when you have a cat. Your cat will chase the red dot from a laser pointer for hours. Hilarity ensues when the cat decides to chase a bug on the window. Ours has hurled himself against the window as he tried to pounce on a fly.

5. Related to #4 – you don’t have to walk it. You don’t even need to move from your recliner to give it a good work-out.

6. It doesn’t bark. It may meow very loudly, especially at meal times, but it doesn’t bark.

7. It won’t jump up on your visitors. In fact, it will probably hide underneath the bed whenever you have guests.

8. You don’t have to take it out. This is especially important when it rains, snows, or is bitterly cold.

9. Your turn: any other great reasons to have a cat?