Dogs Are Better Than Cats

It's no secret that I'm a lover of all things canine. Despite being allergic to them, I have two dogs of my own! Each day I happily wash down two pills that keeps the itching and sneezing at bay. That's good, especially since one of the critters sleeps on the foot of my bed. Of all the felines that have passed through my household, only one made a lasting impression -- an ebony ball of fluff named Nightmare. Even still, when neighbors were moving out of the state and asked to take him along we readily bid them -- and their new kitty -- farewell. Here are some other reasons why dogs are better than cats.

If taught correctly, dogs will sit, shake hands, fetch, stay, and perform a number of other tasks on command. Heck, I had one dog whose only trick command was, "Show us your butt!" Every time someone exclaimed the phrase he'd turn himself about and shake his hips like a flamenco dancer. He also loved wearing a pair of half-moon sunglasses with rainbow frames, and would eat right through a wall to escape being enclosed in a room, but that's a whole other hub entirely! Have you ever tried teaching a cat anything? Don't get me wrong, cats are smart. And don't tell my dogs I said this, but cats might even...be smarter than dogs. However, what good is it to be the equivalent of a feline MENSA student if you don't use it? Even the dumbest dog is easier to train than a cat, because unlike felines, most dogs are eager to please their humans by learning to correctly respond to commands, from very basic to the most complex ones...like fetching a beer.

What's one of the first accessories most dog owners buy? A leash! My two dogs have two leashes each; one retractable for roaming the back yard and one standard leash for walking in the park or on the Appalachian trail. Part of dog ownership involves getting up off the couch and taking the dog for a walk, especially if you live in an area with a leash law. Before owning my current two dogs I was happy in my sedentary lifestyle. Now that I've given up some of my couch potato time, I not only enjoy a smaller size in jeans, but I also feel better! Getting outside is especially important for those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. During the winter months when daylight hours wane, it's imperative that everyone take breaks to enjoy some sunshine. Two 15 - 30 minute breaks a day work wonders for me, but if you think you have SAD contact your doctor for more advice. Also, children who spend the first few years of their life in a home with a dog are less likely to develop allergies and asthma-related issues.

(NOTE: The dog above is Rusty, a therapy dog with Paws for a Purpose. Which is in itself another reason why dogs are better than cats! More about this further in the article, though.)

Dogs can sense a human's moods and gauge what to do accordingly. After suffering a family tragedy in late 2007, I slipped into a bit of a depressed state. A friend who breeds golden retrievers gifted me with a very special puppy who is almost four years old now, and currently snoozing on the foot of my bed as I write. As Gingerbelle grew up, she and I grew to form a bond that most humans never get to experience with each other. If I am sad, she sits nearby to remind me that I am not alone. When I am happy, she dances around and snuggles against me sharing in my joy. And if the Indianapolis Colts score a touch down, look out! She is jumping and dancing around, because my dogs know that when the Colts put points on the board, all the puppies are getting a doggy treat! Every cat I've ever owned only cared about where its next meal was coming from and being left alone to nap for long hours.

Dogs perform all kinds of services. They assist the blind and deaf. They provide therapy for hospital patients and nursing home residents. I even saw a guy going into Home Depot with dog that wore a vest with the words, "EMOTIONAL THERAPY DOG." (Really, isn't that what all dogs are, deep down?) A couple of months ago I had the wonderful opportunity to tour the CBP Canine Center in Front Royal, Virginia. One of two places in the United States of its kind, dogs at the facility go through rigorous training to work with both Customs and Border Patrol. One of the handlers explained to us that in the past when searching the pound for just the right dog they often chose ones labelled too hyper by their owners. Unlike other service dogs, these special canines need to be high-energy for long shifts of fast-paced work. I got winded just watching them run through their paces! I'm sure cats could do something fascinating if they wanted to, but honestly...have you ever heard of a service cat? Me either!

The only time my boys seem to want to walk the dogs is when we go out into public -- especially if we're going by the pet store. Now that they're teenagers, they've mastered the art of using the dogs to get attention from females. They even want to take the dogs on vacation! And I can see why. The minute they step out with one of the dogs -- especially the golden retriever -- girls of all ages flock to their side where they coo over our family pets. For teenage boys, I suppose any attention from girls is good attention, even if the girls aren't paying them attention directly. And the dogs certainly don't mind the extra cuddles, either. Cats just don't evoke that kind of response -- probably because they look (and often sound) like something from the bowels of Hades while trying to escape their collar and leash.

In conclusion...well, there's probably only one thing to conclude from this article. I really, really dislike cats. Thanks for reading!