Swamp Journal

Now, I have nothing against lambs, or even adult sheep. But there is nothing -- let me emphasize this, NOTHING to beat a dog. In fact, I would say that 95 percent of all dogs are preferable to 95 percent of all people. So for Dave's benefit, here is a list of reasons why dogs are better than any other animals:

1. Dogs don't care who you are, what you look like, or how much money you make. Just feed them, rub their bellies (some prefer ear-scratching), and be around for them, and they will love you just for that.
2. Dogs are heroes. Did you ever hear of a Search and Rescue Cat? There were literally dozens of dogs involved in the recovery efforts after September 11. I used to work with a lady who also trained German shepherds for police work. When I heard on the news that a police dog had been killed after he entered a burning building looking for people trapped inside (the people made it out, but the dog did not), I later found out that the had been trained by my co-worker had trained. She hadn't seen the dog since he started his work, but she told me she cried the whole day after she heard the story.
3. Dogs will play with you whenever you want to play. If a cat is in the mood, he might allow you to play with him. Maybe.
4. Kittens grow into cats, but dogs always remain puppies at heart.
5. Dogs are one of the few animals that smile, and their smiles are contagious.
6. Dogs love to help people. There are service dogs for the blind, the deaf, and the wheelchair-bound. A lot of training is required, but ultimately dogs do this because they want to.
7. Dogs have medical skills. Nobody knows how or why, but certain dogs are able to sense the onset of an epileptic seizure as much as 45 minutes in advance. They can then warn their partners, who can then take steps to prevent injuries. (I've heard of birds doing this, too, without any training at all.)
8. Some dogs are naughty (see "Marley & Me"), but they are nearly all good-hearted.
9. Dogs forgive. If you've ever watched "Animal Precinct" or similar shows on Animal Planet, then you've seen how often and quickly dogs that are abused or neglected by humans usually accept other people.
10. Dogs are loyal and protect their families.
11. Many dogs help protect other animals that are important to humans -- including lambs!

Yes, I have a bird and not a dog, but that's for the dog's sake. My workdays are too long to leave a dog alone in the house -- it wouldn't be fair to the dog or the rug!

Labels: dogs animals

# posted by MarkSouthFL @ 4:34 PM