In Praise of Dogs

I'm sure most people who know me think of me as a cat person. That's not strictly true. Although I dearly love my own cats and any others I have met, I'm also really fond of dogs. I grew up in a household that included some marvelous dogs, as well as cats, snakes, birds, a hamster or two, and I can't even remember what else. We had pet everythings at our house.

Every year about this time I make the mistake of watching the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on television. What great dogs! Last weekend it was the hunting breeds and they do have fantastic personalities. They run across the ring as though they were just having the best fun. Makes me want to add a dog to our household. If my darling felines wouldn't freak out (that would just be the last straw for Eugenie, as if .... never mind) I would probably do so. Vet bills be damned!

I see the greatest dogs in the park when I walk. There is one Doxy who walks twice a day with his elderly owner. The lady can barely get around herself, but she has to walk her dog, so out she goes. I think they walk about a block and a half. Takes them nearly an hour. People who tend to avoid exercise should all own dogs. There is the very distinguished grey-haired man with the standard poodle, the older Japanese couple with the even older Sheltie (all of them move along quite snappily), the couple who are probably in their fifties with the Golden Lab and the brown mutt, and my friend Shirley with her furry little Penny. I'm guessing these four-legged buddies go far toward keeping these people healthy in mind and body.

Here's to dogs! I'm glad our ancestors decided to invite them into the cave.