Subscribe via RSS

Archives


March 16, 2010 · 4:05 PM

The dog vs. cat debate, or why cats are arrogant pricks

By Rick Lax

Rick + man's best friend.

Dogs are better than cats. I think we can all agree on that.

At least I thought we could all agree on that, but that was before I moved into an apartment with a girl who had a cat. Don’t get me wrong, the cat didn’t sway my opinion—condescending little f*#ker—but my roommate introduced me to a community of otherwise-rational people who profess their love of cats so consistently that I’m starting to think they’re not being sarcastic.

Apparently, there are millions of Americans who, bless their hearts, genuinely believe that cats are better than dogs. When brought into the cat/dog debate these cat lovers cite pooper-scoopers, fleas, tics, Lyme disease and stupidity—as if those minor canine setbacks somehow make less damning the scientific fact that cats are arrogant assholes that wouldn’t think twice about enslaving the human race if given the opportunity.

For me, the cat/dog debate was settled years ago, somewhere around the time my ex-girlfriend Beth’s ostensibly cute kitten[1] hopped onto the bed and scratched me across the forehead and down to my ear.[2] But some people haven’t been scratched. Some people still need convincing. And, ironically, the people who need the most convincing are the very ones who believe it’s us dog folk (“normals,” as I like to call us) who need to be convinced.

So here’s my point: If we can’t even agree on something as obvious and one-sided as this, how the hell are we ever going to agree on health care?

[1]Let’s get one thing straight: Kittens are no better than cats. Like Rosemary’s Baby, it’s their very youth that makes them so unfortunate and grotesque.

[2]Yes, I’m aware that every day emergency rooms treat over 1,000 Americans for dog bites and that dogs kill around 30 people every year, most of whom are young children. But in the dogs’ defense, those kids had it coming.

team cats, all the way. and who wants to be "normal"?

Posted by: Joe Brown on 3/16/10 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, Joe, our friendship has been fun while it lasted.

Posted by: Rick Lax (Staff) on 3/16/10 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My roommate has a cat that acts like a dog: poops and pees everywhere it's not supposed to and very affectionate. We also used to have a dog that acted like a cat: pooped and peed where it was supposed to and sat under the coffee table otherwise.

Posted by: rysco on 3/18/10 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I mean, the only redeeming thing about cats is when they act like dogs. But the pooping and peeing thing can only win them so many points...

Posted by: Rick Lax (Staff) on 3/18/10 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Having been so good to me in the past, my first impulse steered me towards the overworked and underrepresented greyhound (45 mph couch potatoe) with their aerodynamic body and oversized head. I figured he/she could pull me along on my [sic] mtn. bike, and also help out with the chicks!
But, a wise man, also proposed the idea that it might be a little too brutal on the pads...
So, with me first, the dog second, and the chickie's last, I've been considering a more futuristically peaceful shih tzu, perhaps, a jack russell {here in paradise}.x
Atomic Dog 4 min 14 sec

Posted by: cypher on 3/20/10 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cypher, I agree that this guy is wise....especially 'cause I think a lot of chicks might be afraid of the greyhounds. Or maybe that's just me. Still, would be better than a cat. Can't walk a cat.

Posted by: Rick Lax (Staff) on 3/21/10 at 12:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cats are much better than dogs. I know because I am a cat. Will a dog purr in your ear? I think I have proven my point.

Posted by: DaisytheCurlyCat on 3/30/10 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A dog will not purr in my ear, and that's just one of the many reasons why I like dogs. A purr coming from a woman is lovely, a purr coming from a cat is just confusing.

Posted by: Rick Lax (Staff) on 3/30/10 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When cats are sick enough to eat dog crap instead of the other way around - then I'll change my mind.

Posted by: chediski on 3/30/10 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Look, Chediski, I'm not saying eating cat poop is a good thing...but since when is pride a virtue? Sin for humans, sin for cats.

Posted by: Rick Lax (Staff) on 3/30/10 at 6:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hi Rick, where I see your point about health-care, I am a cat that walks with my person on a leash. I heel, I run and I understand "Free" to mean that I can explore.
Like people and dogs, every one of us is different. It is rather course (and anti-PC) of you to lump us into one CATagory based on species.
To further the point, my person's last cat was a feral that brought in a tick that gave her Lymes, so you really can't generalize without glossing over a lot of detail.

This is the beautiful analogy of problem that people on both sides of the health-care debate seem to have encountered. We have serious problems that need to be solved in a global way. A viable solution will only come from an intimate and empathetic understanding of both sides of the debate. Without that we can never come to the full measure of the issue.
Im' just saying... purrrr

Posted by: TK on 3/30/10 at 7:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TK,

First of all, I'm saddened to hear your human puts up with you walking him or her around on a leash. He or she probably sees this as "cute"...letting you lead the way...but I see that it's clearly just bringing you one step closer to the world domination you seek. So if your human is reading this, I urge him or her to TAKE CHARGE, HUMAN!

In the case of the cats v. dogs debate, I think the only viable solution is some sort of statement by the President acknowledging that "Dogs are better than cats." Or something like that.

Posted by: Rick Lax (Staff) on 4/1/10 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I concur, dogs are indeed better. Even though man's best friend chewed a motorola phone, headset to a ps2, and countless of other electronics, you can still forgive dog. They can adapt to the sense of action to consequence.

Posted by: QuiteRightLv on 4/2/10 at 3:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Discussion:

In an effort to increase the dialogue on our blogs, we will be requiring Facebook accounts to leave comments on lasvegasweekly.com blogs. We believe that Weekly readers are likely to have Facebook accounts already and more apt to comment on this site with that account rather than have to create an account with us. If, however, you do not have a Facebook account, click here to sign up for one. If you have questions, comments or concerns about this new commenting policy, please let us know.

For any other questions related to commenting on Weekly stories, please read our full policy.

Las Vegas Weekly Photostrip

Facebook Activity

Featured Cocktail

Cocktail of the Week May 23, 2012
by Sabrina Chapman

Rhumbar’s Scorpion Bowl stings so good

Ready to celebrate the official start of summer? Prepare for takeoff. Memorial Day Weekend picks up speed with the addition of Rhumbar’s Scorpion Bowl ($49) to the weekend’s party lineup. ...
Read more...