I've been writing on various topics over the years, but tonight I realized that I never mentioned that much of my work is done with a cat sleeping contentedly on my legs.
Yes, I'm a cat person.
Okay, I'm not really that into pets. I had a cat when I was younger, and from time to time our family has had cats ever since. Right now we have two, who don't much care for each other.
The elder cat belongs to my middle daughter, but in truth she prefers me to everyone else. Probably because I'm the one who remembers to set the food out.
In any event, I think cats are particularly conducive to writing because in addition to keeping one's feet warm, they also give their owners insight into non-verbal emotional cues.
Dogs are pretty much out in the open as to who they are and what they are thinking. Dogs are the opposite of mysterious. This is why so many people like them. If you want a friend, get a dog.
Cats are far more independent and they do not overtly advertise their moods. True, with practice, one can tell when a cat is agitated, curious or playful. However, cats have a high degree of variation in terms of personality and behavioral signals. I think the patience and observation required to learn this is of great benefit to authors.
I cannot recall including cats in any of my writing. Still, they are always present, lurking in the background and keeping my feet warm.
Chateau Lloyd 
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