Loved my many tolerated by most.  The cat has come to play a roll in our lives that most haven't even figured out yet.  It is true the cat is generally, at our earliest, the first contact with a personality utterly in love with self.  This is one beast that is dedicated to its own comfort.  Our relationship with this animal has been for most of us the first contact with a beast who is so selfish that most wonder why we even keep it around.  Fortunately, the cat is quite loving at times and always a watchful eye in our homes.