May Contain Peanuts

Woof!

You know what is so great about pets? Their complete lack of emotional memory. I don't mean that have no memory at all, they certainly recognize people, eating habits and pooping spots; but rather I mean they don't stay angry or happy or anything for more than 5 minutes.

Let's say you step on your dog's tail, let's say you even do it on purpose because you're pissed that he stole a hot dog off the table (you're not upset at the verbal cannibalism BTW). The dog will howl, lurk off into the corner and sulk for a bit. Five minutes later, that stimulus is gone, the dog has returned to his content obliviousness and things are right again. No grudge, no sad looks, no blackmail or secret loathing.

Now, I will give that these animals do have enough intelligence to become aware of a repeated action, say if you were to step on his tail everytime he barked. Then he might react differently, and wise up to the act, but even then, as soon as that stimulus has gone, it is back to the indifference of a pet that we know and love.

This is my main beef with the animal rights activists of the world. The extreme believers of animal rights treat pets like people. They are not. They are animals. They do not have the mental or emotional capacity to even realize they are being treated like animals. Now, I'm not saying go beat a dog with a golf club, but let us draw the line somewhere as to what rules apply and what don't. I know that people love their pets like children which is just fine. But when the life or happenings of people get displaced for that of a pet, that's where the problem lies.

This is not meant to be a animal rights lover's hate session, but rather just a post about great pets are for being animals. They love you no matter what and are far more loyal and easy-going than any person could be. Nowadays, "It's a dog's life" is not a bad thing, it's a great thing: being pampered, fed, loved and petted just for being a dog or cat or whatever pet you have. Pets are great because they give you unabashed love and attention, for which you in return show your love and affection and the comfort of "a dog's life".

So here's my tip for the day: If you feel like you need some love and also have some love to give or just need some cheering up that your significant other (or lack thereof) can not give, an animal's love is just the right thing (and NOT that kind of love, that's just wrong). If you don't want that kind of responsibility, just go to somebody's house you know who has a pet, it works the same way; to an extent.

I know it's great to come home after a particularly cruddy day and have a tail wagging behind the door, excited that it is me coming home. It's worth the awkward hand-in-the-plastic-bag-picking-up- poop-on-the-side-of-the-road-and-flipping-the-bag-inside-out. You know what I'm talking about.