As all of us know, there are two kinds of people: dog people and cat people. I see the divide every day, both at my office (Trisha: cat person / Abby: dog person) and at home (husband: cat person / me: dog person). Sometimes the two sides are nasty toward one another (woof, hiss), sometimes they co-exist uneasily.
Bradley Trevor Greive attempts to wrestle cat people into submission with his gracefully argued and beautifully illustrated new book, Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats, published today by Andrews McMeel. Dog people: we love this book title, don’t we? Why beat around the bush when the point you are trying to make is crystal clear: dogs are better than cats, and Greive (author of the bestseller The Blue Day Book) proves it repeatedly.
Here’s a sample:
To dogs, you are the leader of the pack, their savior and guiding light. You are the beautiful, warm, nurturing star around which their world revolves, the emotional center of their universe.
To cats, a human being is basically a vertical speed bump, a fabric-wrapped monolith, or a fleshy tree simulator.
Greive tries to be fair and balanced by including a chapter called “The Downside of Dogs,” but it’s less than convincing. His true feelings come through loud and clear in the book’s closing passage: “Life without dogs is too awful to contemplate.”
Two paws-up for Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats — sure to be a favorite gift for dog-lovers this holiday season. To win a free copy, leave a comment and tell us which side you’re on!
UPDATE: We’ve selected a winner, but you’re still welcome to take sides in the cats-vs-dogs debate.
Dogs, definitely! I’m a big fan of Westies.
Since I’ve been referred to as “the cat killer” more than once (it’s a long story), I bet you can guess which team I’m on!
Definitely on the Cat side, however I enjoy good humor and have many dog loving friends who I would love to gift this book to
Dogs, specifically golden retrievers…they’re the best!
Dogs–Mine has offered his life up for me more than once!
(I’m blind and he is a guide dog.)
Cat lover here
This seems a lovely book though, especially since the cover says it has photos by Rachael Hale, a famous animal photographer (I’ve been an admirer of her work for years).
(I’m an international reader — just in case it matters)
Kay, I won’t hold it against you that you’re a cat lover. And you’re right — the photos by Rachael Hale are amazing, and a major part of the book’s appeal. How she managed to get some of these shots, I’ll never know, but she has a dog in roller skates, a Great Dane pushing a shopping cart, an Australian Shepherd in a party hat, even a tough-looking bulldog dressed in a denim jacket! Still, the best photos aren’t the gimmicky ones, but the soulful pictures of unadorned dogs (and cats) looking directly into the camera.
Yea! for Terri M. Obviously Goldens are the best. But, I’m so tired of the political division of choosing this side or that one I’m willing to concede cats are okay too.
http://www.sandysays1.wordpress.com
I always thought I’d be on the dog side, but I recently adopted a cat (not home enough to care for a dog!) and she is the most amazing thing in my home! So I’d have to say it depends on the cat, really (and the dog) – it’s all about temperment. Not all cats are snotty, and not all dogs are loving.
Absolutely a dog person! My little man (5 lb chihuahua) is the light of my life and the answer to all those who talk about yippy, nippy purse-puppies. Besides that fact, I’m allergic to cats.
Congratulations! You’re the winner.
I’m living proof that one can be both a dog-lover AND a cat-lover! Why choose sides when both dogs and cats are marvelous, obnoxious, loving, bratty, and beloved?
This is even a question? I’m a reformed cat person who grew into a dog person. Cats are tolerable, but dogs are essential!
Cats rule, dogs drool.
Lynn has me pegged, it’s true: cats all the way. But I do like dogs on a case-by-case basis!
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I’ve had cats all my life up until a few years ago when I adopted a black Lab named Tony from a rescue. He’s not your orginary lab at all – in fact I think he may be part cat. When I pet him, he groans in such a way that I can’t help but wonder if he’s trying to PURR like his “sisters” in residence, my two cats. In my house, I’m both – I can’t possibly pick favorites!
I enjoy visiting my sisters and their multiple cats. But when I come home from work, I want my dog there to greet me and for her to get me up each morning to go for a walk.
Cats: a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.
Do I have to choose? They both have their postitives and negatives. Right now we own cats, but plan on getting a dog when the kids get a little bigger and can help.
A home is not a home without at least one dog. I’ve always been a weanie dog person since I got my first Dachound at age 5. Within the last 15 years, my love has grown to include Boston Terriers. They are smart, mischievous and also very sweet. Dogs make life complete.
CATS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dogs are better. My Golden Retriever, Rocco, goes with me almost everywhere. When I say, “Do you wanna go for a ride?” or “Do you wanna go for a walk?” he is always ready and excited to go!