Choosing Sides in the Pet Fight

A tendency among people who profess love for animals is to claim affection for all animals--in this case, dogs and cats. To me, such lack of discrimination is as mindless as those who claim to love all mankind.

Conrad Black wrote recently that he likes dogs, but he loves cats.

As well as a topic for debate, it raises interesting distinctions between love and like – and there can be enormous differences. It’s not only possible, but quite common for people to “love” someone they don’t much “like.”

Personally, as one who tends to prefer animals to people, I think it is easier to love cats than it is to like them. With dogs, like and love can blend, and it’s pretty hard to resist an animal which, no matter what you do, is invariably grateful for your attention and relishes any gesture that can be interpreted as approval.

A tendency among people who profess love for animals is to claim affection for all animals--in this case, dogs and cats. To me, such lack of discrimination is as mindless as those who claim to love all mankind--usually NDP types or socialists who cause much of the world’s misery.

Cats, and especially dogs, have distinct personalities, as do people. Some are more attractive than others. So to say you love all dogs reveals your own lack of judgment and discretion. Dogs are more rewarding to live with than cats, even though as a species, cats are probably smarter than dogs.

Conrad Black says he has never met a dumb cat. I’ve known plenty of dumb dogs (though I’ve never lived with one), but their dumbness is no impediment to them being liked or loved, or being good company.

Until recently, Yvonne and I shared nearly 17 years with Murphy, last in a series of Jack Russell terriers who are the easiest dogs in the world to get along with, so long as you obey their every whim. They are also as smart as they have to be – and no smarter.

In my experience, JRs are selective in whom they tolerate. They can give you the cold shoulder or fish-eye like no other dog, but they are smart enough not to tangle with cats that stand up to them, or in whose house they are a guest.

In the cat vs dog debate, someone (I forget who) sent me the following:

If you want someone who will eat whatever you put in front of him, and never say it’s not quite as good as his mother’s ... buy a dog.

If you want someone always willing to go out, at any hour for as long and wherever you want ... buy a dog.

If you want someone who will never touch the remote, and will sit next to you and happily watch whatever you watch … buy a dog.

If you want someone who never criticizes what you do, doesn’t care if you are good looking or ugly, fat or thin, young or old, who acts as if every word you say is worth listening to, who loves you unconditionally and perpetually … buy a dog.

On the other hand...if you want someone who will never come when you call, Ignores you when you come home, leaves hair all over the place, walks all over you, runs around at night and only comes home to eat and sleep, and acts as if your entire existence is solely to ensure his happiness ... buy a cat.

Or, arguably, get married.