We own a dog — he is with us as a slave and inferior because we wish him to be. But we entertain a cat — he adorns our hearth as a guest, fellow-lodger, and equal because he wishes to be there. It is no compliment to be the stupidly idolised master of a dog whose instinct it is to idolise, but it is a very distinct tribute to be chosen as the friend and confidant of a philosophic cat who is wholly his own master and could easily choose another companion if he found such an one more agreeable and interesting.

H. P. Lovecraft (1890-1937) American fabulist [Howard Phillips Lovecraft]

“Cats and Dogs” (23 Nov 1926), Leaves (Summer 1937)
    (Source)

Reprinted as "Something about Cats" in Something About Cats: And Other Pieces (1949) [ed. Derleth].