When I was doing heavy phone work I deliberately cultivated a more 'musical' voice then the one I naturally possess, to the point where guys would tell me I had a 'sexy' voice. After a few years off the phones it's back to 'normal'- a little flat, unless I'm particularly animated.
Haha, I have a "customer service voice" that is distinctly posher and more enunciated than my 'real' one. It is sort of of like my singing voice, but spoken. I hate my real voice, it's sort of soft and weak and nasal and low and dry all at once and should not be let out in public

Quality of recording does help, I can actually stand myself on my computer but tapes were a nightmare. Voice mail is pure evil, I refuse to record a message

Eisa - my dear Dad also called me a 'dying cat' when I sang. Just sing

His comments are likely no reflection on you but a particular type of 'Dad' humour (and if yours wasn't trying to be humourous, that's horrible but still no reflection on you).