I used to think that dogs were better than cats as pets. As I was growing up, my family had a lot of dogs such as mutts, poodles, Chihuahuas, dachshunds, but we never had cats because my father is allergic to them. I always assumed that when I grew up, I would have a dog as a pet. However, my life as a pet owner changed one night when a tiny kitten showed up at my door. He was cold, wet, and hungry, and I was afraid he would die on my doorstep if I did not help him. I never saw myself as a cat owner, but now that I am one, I realize that most of the stereotypes about cats and dogs are untrue.

First, cats are supposed to be standoffish and disinterested as well as finicky and meticulous. My cat, however, is very friendly and even a little messy. He always wants my attention, which can be annoying at times especially when I am trying to cook or study. I thought that a cat would sleep all day, but my cat is much more energetic than I expected. If he does not go outside to frolic in the backyard, he starts to behave a bit neurotically. Obviously, my cat does not fit the stereotype of the average cat.

Second, people also say that dogs are friendlier than cats, but I remember a couple of my family's dogs that were not friendly at all. Our Chihuahua was named Wagster, and he did not like anyone. Every time someone rang the doorbell, he would bark ferociously to scare the visitor away. Once he even nipped at my grandmother! She never thought that all dogs were friendly after that experience. We also had another dog named Rover that used to bark loudly whenever they postal carrier came to deliver our mail. Even though our carrier never met out dog, I am certain that he knew that Rover was not a very friendly dog.

Of course, I have known both cats and dogs that fulfill the stereotypes as well. My friend Amiee has a cat that was so aloof and distant that I never saw it when I came to visit. No matter how many times I dropped by her house, the cat always hid itself under a bed. Likewise, my friend Jasper has a dog named Bono that is ridiculously friendly. Whenever I visit my friend, Bono runs up to me and tries to jump on me. He's so friendly that in fact, I wish he were not quite so friendly.

Finally, how did these stereotypes about cats and dogs develop? As with most prejudices, they reflect more about the people who express them than about what is true. Both cats and dogs make good pets, and both of them can make bad pets. It all depends on the individual animal, and no one should judge an animal before getting to know it.

Questions:

A) What background information about the topic is give in the introduction?

B) What is the main idea in the thesis? What is being compared?

C) What is the purpose for the comparison?

D) How are the details organized, block or point by point?

E) How does the conclusion return to the thesis and restate it?

F) What is the main idea in the conclusion paragraph?

Attachment:- reading-oil_and_water.docx