When Max, a little guy of 18 months, was snuggling on my lap, I remarked to Josh why do people needs pets when they can snuggle with their kids.  Within a minute of saying this, Max wiggled off my lap and walked away to go play elsewhere.  It was then that Josh commented, "Yes, but a cat or dog would sit on your lap for hours and not wiggle away."  Mind you, this was not an assertion he wanted a pet, simply pointing out a difference.

That statement is false with Miriam... she is our little kitty.

Mind you, I honestly don't know anything about what behaviors pets have when they live in someone's house longer than the 3 hr windows I have witnessed... I can only imagine Miriam is better, much, much better. 

Miriam is one snuggly, little girl and will sit on your lap for hours.  If you are sitting anywhere... eating breakfast, typing on the computer, teaching school, etc.  She is right there with you, snuggles herself in as close as she can and fits perfectly.  You don't need to move her and you can keep right on working with her - right there.  Miriam also has mastered the art of non-verbal/subtle communication that some pets exhibit... she will stand nearby you, nudge you with her head softly, draw to where she's looking, gently pull your hand around her, get your attention into helping her... all of it in silence and with a delicate smile that makes it hopeless to say no.

Plus, she has all the benefits of not being a pet... she is toilet trained, she changes her own clothes, can do laundry and dishes, she doesn't shed, she can vacuum up messes after herself, doesn't have random items coming out of various orifices (not recently anything note worthy - thank goodness, but still), her shots are up to date, she eats only people food, etc.

Miriam is the puuurfect little kitty for me.

Need further proof?  Well, not nearly as skilled as the real things, I thought these were only fitting...

I can has cheezburger!