Dog People, what am I missing?

In My Humble Opinion
81

I get enough duplicity, bullshit, and arrogance from people, that I prize the direct uncomplicated affection of dogs. I’m not affectionate toward casual acquaintances and am fairly cynical about human nature, but find it relaxing to play with my dog.

Physical contact is comforting and (I believe) psychologically beneficial for humans, and dogs are the most convenient and cooperative source of physical contact. I hug my daughter and cuddle with my wife, but the dog is just always there and always happy to get its ears scratched.

Like cats, dogs have a simple software program in their heads and watching it handle various new stimuli is fascinating. Let’s go for a walk. Let’s go for a ride.

82

The fact that dogs are so unflinchingly affectionate to whomever gives that affection back is precisely what makes them so awesome. The “loyalty” you see in your cat is nothing more than it warming up to it’s food source. If your house catches on fire, that cat will beat feet out the door without looking back, believe it. There’s a fairly decent chance, however, your dog wouldn’t leave without you. That’s real loyalty. There’s no such thing as a guard cat. In the end they couldn’t give a shit what happens to you or your property.

83

I agree 100%. Lived with my husband’s dog for 8 years and never bonded with her, just grew to resent her. (she was a very troubled dog) I’ll be happy with cats for the rest of my life.

84

not a very good username/post combo…

85

Our cats (7) warn us about visitors just like the dog does, just not barking.
We have ½ a dog, St. Bernard & Pyrenees. (big - smart - not fixed ((grrrr @ owner)), long story but he gets the propper & best treatment at our house which is in his property to guard.

Cats know their names, know the rules, etc… Zeus - Goliath - Mighty Dawg is not allowed to bother cats except… When they get into HIS food dish. Then we encourage him to defend it. Lunging, a loud bark and laying beside the dish giving cats the evil eye is all fair.

He has to share the treats with the cats, they are allowed to eat bits of his treats right under him, Little piece to each cat in attendance to 2 big parts to him, repeat. Works for everybody. I can take food out of the mouth of all critters on the place.

I like both cats & dogs.
Mighty Dawg came with the place.
One cat (oldest) wife got on purpose before we married. All others, lots, have been drops, strays & feral.

My #1 fav cat, Demon, was feral (live trapped him) & now he is my best buddy, top cat with me & a teenage bully to the others. Bawahahaha

Every critter has a great story & provide us with different things. No one animal could do all of it.

But I know I am weird. I used to go sleep with my horse in his stall curled up against his belly. He slept layi8ng down but he was still spry nuff to teach me to calf rope, bulldog & fall off enough to get good at it. he he he

Animals are so much more honest then humans, maybe why I usually like them better.

At my age now, I know that they are one of the things that is helping me stay alive.