The Truth about Cats and Dogs (mostly the dogs)

Dogs rule. I know that statement is being used as a commercial these days, but it was true long before Pedigree got a hold of it. For those who have never had the joy of owning a dog, the rest of this post may not strike the same chord as it will with our dog owners out there, but read on anyway.

Now, let me be clear from the start: I am in no way disrespecting cats. I used to have a sweet little black cat named Lipton (like the tea, not like the balding host of Inside the Actor’s Studio) and I loved her for the three of her 4 all-too-short years I was blessed to have her. She was a blessing to me and I miss her terribly even though it’s been five years since she left us.

But back to the subject at hand:  dogs rule. I mean, seriously. As cool as cats can be, dogs are every bit as cool and in some ways, way more awesome.  “But Damien,” you might be thinking, “dogs are messy!  They slobber, they jump up on you, you have to clean up their doggie bombs, and have you ever smelled a dog fart?  Mace has nothing on it!”  To which I respond, “Yep. Totally worth it”

Dogs are some of the most unconditionally loving animals in existence. A dog doesn’t care if you lost your job until he senses that it makes you sad. A dog doesn’t care if you’re covered in tattoos or a corporate yuppie or a 6-year old child. He loves you anyways.  A dog doesn’t care about politics or what your religion may be. He doesn’t care if you’re straight or gay or bisexual or transgendered. He loves you for who you are. He doesn’t care what your race or language is - he’s literally color-blind and can learn commands in any language. When you come home after being away all day, most of the time a dog will be the first one to greet you and he’ll really mean it when he’s telling you that he’s glad you’re home. He won’t complain about how bored he was being cooped up in the house or backyard all day.  He won’t demand that you get your chores done (though he might be rather insistent about his need to go out). He won’t ever ask for the car keys or ask to be added to your insurance. Dogs are not backseat drivers. 

On the contrary, most dogs love being a passenger. The wind in their faces and the myriad of scents they encounter with their heads out of the window bring joy to them in a way we can never truly appreciate.

Most of all, dogs are loyal. Once they recognize you as their alpha male or alpha female, they are your dog for life. You’re their pack leader and they want nothing more in this life than to spend time with you, to do whatever makes you happy and to protect you from danger in any way they can. For some of them, that’s just a little bark that doesn’t scare passing butterflies, much less the mailman. That doesn’t matter. They’d lay down their lives in a second if it was a choice between you and them.

Now I know I’m generalizing a bit; after all, some dogs are complete cowards. Some insist that they’re the pack leader. Some don’t like being touched. Some don’t listen to anything you might say.

Some have been abused and learned to expect cruelty from humans. Some have been on their own for years and never learned to socialize outside of their own species, if at all. Some have been yelled at so much that they don’t remember or understand any other kind of communication. 

In other words, they’re a lot like humans.

For the rest of the dogs, the fortunate ones who experience the joy of a loving home, they return the blessings you give them tenfold. Sure, cleaning up after them and feeding them and taking them to the vet and all of the other chores involved in caring for a dog can be tiresome, but it’s such a small investment with instant rewards and untold dividends. The love a dog can show you can remind you daily of so many lessons. To love unconditionally. To really mean it when you say you’re glad to see someone. To be color-blind. To occasionally stick your head out of a window and take in the sights and sounds of the world. To live in the moment.

Yeah, dogs definitely rule.