I just want to take a moment, if I may, to talk about how amazing dogs are.
We have a species who at some point decided that humans would make good companions, and we happened to feel the same about them. Over time, we've evolved together to the point where we have these little furry creatures running around in our houses, completely naked, unable to speak the same language as us, and both parties are completely cool with that.
Dogs are so intelligent, and so intuitive. When Sam is sick, Penny won't leave his side, and if ever I'm crying, she will try to lick my tears away. A few weeks ago she even ran to fetch Sam from downstairs when I had a funny turn and couldn't get up.
And they can be so gentle, even though some of them are built like machines. Sometimes at night, Penny will lie in between me and Sam with her face on the pillow in between ours and we can't help but marvel at the fact that this big, muscular, sharp-toothed animal descended from wolves could easily rip our faces off but instead she licks them before falling asleep and snoring like a trooper.
All dogs are good dogs. I have favourite breeds of course, but they're all fabulous in their own way.
I would say that my top 10 from favourite to least are as follows:
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers (I'm completely biased)
- Mutts and crossbreeds. The goofier the better!
- Chihuahuas. So much attitude in such a tiny animal!
- Collies of any variety but especially Border Collies
- Labradors and retrievers
- German Shepherds
- Great Danes
- Borzoi
- Corgis
- Greyhounds and whippets
Even writing that list was difficult. It's so hard to choose favourites, I feel like the Doberman and the Rottweiler deserve a place in the top 10 but it would push out Greyhounds and Corgis. Ah well, life is full of tough decisions.
The most important thing to remember is that all dogs are good dogs, even if they eat your shoes or poo on your sofa or something. If you're reading this and you have a dog, give them a pat and a belly rub from me won't you?
