I grew up with dogs. My brother's allergic to cats. But I remember the first time I saw a cat and knew that felines are much a part of me as needy, slobbering, domesticated wolves.

Some girl down the street was selling kittens, and I wailed and sobbed about why couldn't we get a kitten, who cares if my brother would have permanent allergies, it was so cute.

Yeah, that didn't sway my parents. Here are tales of cats I've loved: