Reigning Cats and Dogs

Over the years there have been plenty of posts on this forum about cats and dogs, and real estate. There are postings offering advice for those pet owners who are selling a property, and helpful comments for people looking for a suitable home that their animals will enjoy. You can read blogs about off-leash areas, cat and dog rescue shelters, quarantine issues, and all manner of helpful hints. You can also enjoy lots, and lots, of entertaining pictures of contributors' pets. Some, even, in little pet clothes.

But there's one thing that hasn't been addressed, as far as I can see... and that is the all important question: which are best, cats or dogs?

Let us consider that all important question of why we have pets in the first place. Companionship. Having loving animals in the house is good for us. There has been a ton of research done to illustrate that, psychologically, pets have a calming influence, and help us to relax. Some studies even go so far as to suggest that they can increase our longevity. That certainly adds a new dimension to the idea of cat and dog years. Animals provide us with something to care for and nurture and, in return, they give us unconditional love. Sort of like pre-teenage kids, but cheaper.

Dogs, of course, fulfil this role without question. They're clearly always happy to see us, love being in our company, and are visibly distressed the moment we leave the house. You know exactly what's going on in a dog's head.

Cats... well, they're cats. How delighted they are to see us, depends entirely on their mood.

Descendents of wild wolves, dogs are naturally pack animals, and instinctively understand their role within a group, fully at ease with an established hierarchy. They were domesticated by humans primarily as hunting companions, and are content to be subservient. Scientists believe that we first domesticated dogs around 15,000 years ago.

Cats... erm. They were worshipped by the ancient Egyptians as Gods and, quite frankly, they see absolutely no need to go changing things now. They have been domesticating us for almost 10,000 years.

Dogs, through thousands of years of co-habiting with us, have learnt to respond to an impressive range of commands. They understand a number of key words and whistles and, when trained, will react exactly as we wish. They herd domestic animals, guard property, lead the visually impaired, find little Timmy down a well, and so on.

Cats. Cats. They meow.

So, having taken on board the findings of this extensive scientific study, where do your loyalties lie - feline or canine? I don't suppose people will have too much of an opinion, of course, but we'd be delighted to see if anyone out there has anything to add to the debate. Oh, and why not post your pet pics here too, for us all to see!

So, what will be reigning, cats or dogs?

Written by REW Jon for Justin Havre