♦Welcome to another edition of the Open Book Blog Hop!♦
Topic #350
Big internet fight: Are you team cat or team dog?
(or something else?)
Welcome back to another Open Book Blog Hop! The authors included in this ongoing series wish to thank you for your reads. Even more so, we appreciate that you share our writings with friends. If you’re new to the series, welcome aboard. The authors engage and impress weekly. Prepare to become a regular reader.
A love of animals is something to praise in any human being. This quality shows a true depth of empathy and kindness that far too many do not exhibit. Whatever the reason behind a failure to empathize (often from physiological/cognitive inability), it is a major red flag of which one needs to take notice. A person bereft of empathy is often cruel or, in the very least, emotionally unavailable.
One of the major factors in identifying serial killers (psychopaths/sociopaths) is the lack of empathy. This almost always exhibits itself in cruelty to animals. While the widely accepted idea is that this type of brain physiology is rare, you’ll find that research is discovering it is far more common. Malignant personality types function within our society freely, enacting a slow burn attack on those with which they interact. A more typical example is the domestic abuser.
Domestic abusers, as any training in the fields of social work will tell you, often target the pets of the household, if not the wildlife nearby. This is part of the need for power and control. It also has roots in toxic (usually masculine) behavior.
However, please do not mistake someone who doesn’t have time to care for a pet or doesn’t wish to have the responsibility for either an abuser or a total psychopath. It’s like saying people who don’t want children aren’t working with all gears. People know their limitations and caring for a pet is a full time job. It can be an emotional roller coaster. It creates a lot of extra work that some are not willing to engage. In the end, it’s their time and they know they wouldn’t be a good fit. This doesn’t mean they hate animals.
No matter what end of the internet fight you find yourself on, whether you’re team cat or team dog (or even team nope), the fact that you love a pet is a great sign that you’re not a toxic or empathy lacking person. Cat people love cats as much as dog people love their dogs. The difference between the two is often just quirks in the personality. Those quirks are what make us each more interesting.
While I have found folks arguing for their team in toxic ways–maligning one animals over the other as filthy and unfit for indoor living–the majority simply just have a minor preference for one over the other. For instance, I grew up having dogs. When I was younger, I would have loved to have a cat. They were almost exotic in my eyes, because I did not have the privilege of owning one. That said, as I grew, as I experienced cats, I felt that taking care of a dog was easier.
Why would it be any easier? The expense wasn’t as great. There was no maintenance of a pan. That litter can be costly! Dogs were easy because I could just walk them, and use bags I collected from the store to clean up after them, or buy a pack from the $1 store. Usually their veterinary expenses are not very different. Either can also be equal in cost for their food, depending on size. I’m able to save because I supplement my dogs food with healthy table scraps, which extends those $80.00 bags of chow.
Today, I’m super lucky. I have the best of both worlds. In 2000, I had had a Siamese cat that I rescued from a shelter, and cats have been in and out of my life since. Currently, my roommate has two cats. I get all of the joy with very little downside. They do yak on the carpets from time to time making things tough in the moment (and forever because the spots don’t always clean well the first time).
I also enjoy the company of my current rescue dog, Séamus Fionnagáin Murchadh Shagbottom. He’s so named because he was born on Saint Patrick’s Day in 2017. I call him Fionn (pronounced fin) for short. You may have seen his videos on my social media, if you follow me, which you should. He’s the current director of the Shagbottom Theater series on YouTube and TikTok. From time to time, you’ll see his cat cousins involved in the shenanigans.
So, I definitely lean team dog, right? Of course I do. I was raised with them and their qualities have always impressed me. The dog is loyal and family oriented, needing the community to thrive. Whereas, cats are far more independent. They like their affection in smaller doses. While I have some of their qualities, too. I enjoy the company of my dog, who is always ready to cuddle, go for quiet walks, or be rambunctious. He’s the first beautiful face I see in the morning, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
And–never has he ever woken me at 4 am to eat. Team dog for the win!
In the end, if its an animal, you can bet I love it. Soon, I hope, this house will have a new addition, as I am seeking out a ferret to bring into the mix, and relive what it was like to have one of those around. It’s been a long time! Anyone out there team ferret? Aren’t they wonderful fun? Such sweet and spicy fur noodles.
Let’s see where the other authors fall on the spectrum of team cat and team dog. Click on their links below to find their blog responses. Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog and get a once weekly email that delivers the link direct to your inbox. See you next time!
