Column: Dogs prove to be best in giving love
Editor’s note: this column was written as a head-to-head against Alli Wigham. Read her column on the appeal of cats here.
If I read this column eight years ago, I would have strongly disagreed with it as I preferred cats. Not coincidentally, this was before I ever owned a cat. Now that I have actually owned both a cat and a dog I completely agree that dogs truly are man’s best friend.
As evidenced by this argument, people have different preferences and like different things. The varying opinions people have is one of the strong suits of dogs, as there is a greater diversity of breeds. Dogs can be small, large, lazy, energetic and have a variety of other characteristics that allow owners to choose the perfect dog for them.
The uniqueness paired with the trainability of dogs, allows them to be practical as they can sniff out drugs for police officers, lead the blind, aid hunters and protect homes.
Yet the greatest advantage of owning a dog over a cat is that in most cases a greater bond established between an owner and his or her dog. This bond is exemplified by the excitement dogs show when their owners get home, as opposed to cats, who typically continue to lay in a comfy spot. If any pet, even a cat, brings a person happiness, than by no means do I want to try to degrade that joy as the only thing that matters is finding the right pet for you.
However, my experiences lead me to believe that cats will love owners only on their terms, as opposed to most dogs providing a constant love.
My cats have only ever acknowledged me when they need food or are bored. Meanwhile, my dog viewed me as the greatest person in the world and always made me want to be the type of person she saw me as.
Plus, I can’t shake that feeling that my cat is plotting to kill me.
The views expressed in this column are solely those of the author, and do not represent the views of The Wooster Blade as a whole.
