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To say that dogs and cats have enriched my life would be an understatement. Some of the best laughs and the best cries I've had were prompted by my canine and feline companions. I don't normally think of this as an "or" question, as these species are completely distinct from each other. Nevertheless, the question is regularly posed - nearly always by friends or colleagues without pets of their own: "Do you prefer dogs or cats?" Or "Would you say you are a cat or a dog person?"

For the impatient, or perhaps time-challenged reader, I will cut to the chase: if I could only have one pet, it would be a dog. I think what I am choosing, in this horrible hypothetical, is love over intellect. In the simplest reduction of their qualities, the dog is loving, while the cat is...interesting.

The cat's moods are myriad. He is vengeful, playful, bored, disdaining, sporty - all within a half hour (once he's awake). In short, there's a lot to watch here. Pure entertainment. The dog displays a much more limited range of dispositions: playful and bored pretty much cover it. Oh, and hungry, of course.

For sheer presence, cats are also superior to dogs, in my opinion. The facial expressions, the posing, the attitude. It is easy to imagine your cat has ruled over ancient societies, and possesses secrets thousands have sought for centuries. You can only hope that your cat considers you an equal. Your dog, on the other hand, is a goofy, farting, drooling beast.

And yet, and yet...in a world of deadlines, minimum payments, sickness, rudeness...the sublime pleasure of being worshipped, adored, unquestioningly, and all this manifested via a warm furry head in your lap - this is true and simple happiness.

There is also something to be said for animal companionship which requires a daily romp outdoors. To be sure, I have seen cats walked on leashes - in fact I see it nearly daily on my own street in the form of sporty neighbour cat, Buckles. But I am fairly certain that these walks never wind up at an open field or woods where the cat and human companion gallop about, throwing and catching sticks, darting around trees, clambering onto and back off of rocks. No, this is the purview of dog ownership alone. It is not only healthy for body, any dog owner will tell you, it is almost always rejuvenating to the soul as well.

I hope I never have to choose, but if I do, I expect I will choose the comfort of a dog's love over the intellectual stimulation of a cat's "je ne sais quoi".

Learn more about this author, Mille Tappe.
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