Is there even a comparison between man and beast? When you look at this question in a more refined light and ask: Is there a comparison between a human friendship and that of a dog? The answer is clearly yes, but which do you prefer? Some people feel that dogs are just pets and social interaction is inclusive only to their human counterparts. They believe that interacting with humans in no way compares to interacting with or spending time with their dog. This is simply not true. They fail to realize that in life friends come and go; a dog, however long or short their life may be, is your friend for life.
Throughout life, people are likely to develop many friendships. Today the average life expectancy of a person is around 78 years (Witt & Mossler, 2010), whereas the median life expectancy of dogs is only 12.8 years (Fogel, 2002). Friends tend to go their separate ways as they mature. They may migrate for personal or professional reasons and contact wans, eventually keeping in touch from time to time, maybe even getting together for a drink or having dinner as years pass. In the end, you are fortunate to have had three close friends in life. We tend to limit that viewpoint to the human race. Take a brief moment to reflect on the few “true” friends you have come to know and then add the friendships of the dogs you have had the pleasure of owning. Your dog is always there throughout their life, seeing you off when you leave and there to greet you when you return. The memories of the days spent with your dog will almost always surpass those of your human counterparts. You may remember a specific time or place where you met up with your friends. You may even recall parts of the conversations had, but seeing the impact your dog has on a young child smiling, shyly giggling as they cautiously reach out to pet them; the joy brought to an elderly person in a park, possibly invoking those very memories of their youth. Even people just stopping to strike up a conversation about your dog as you go for a walk can seemingly be recanted faster, recapturing that very sense pride from those reactions brought about and we ‘inadvertently’ take credit. They somehow appear more memorable in their entirety than many of the hours spent idling away with your friends.
There are obvious differences between the two such as sociability. “Staying socially active and maintaining interpersonal relationships can help you maintain good physical and emotional health and cognitive function” (Yale Medical Group, 2012). Conversations are one aspect that many people feel are limited to their human counterparts, but most dog owners admittedly talk to their dogs. They confide in them and confess their inner most thoughts and that is something that many people overlook. They respond in their own way, walking up to you, sitting up on their hind legs as if to say “I understand, don’t worry I am hear you”, curling up next to you, offering you the de facto reassurance that your secrets are safe and held in the strictest of confidence. Conversely, friends may break your trust, repeating things that are said in confidence. Another benefit is in the intellectual arena of debate. You can argue a point with another human being and may never agree on one another’s point of view. It may even come to a point where you lose the friendship, for whatever reason, altogether. You always win a debate with your dog; they are forgiving to a fault. Even the silliest or most foolish acts are accepted by them. They pass no judgments, and at times seem to urge you on, often joining in, indulging you, and even egging you on in acting the fool. On the other hand, friends may tend to roll their eyes and walk away, simply embarrassed by the thought of being associated with you at that very point in time.
Exercise is another area that friends use to interact. “Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age” (Center for Disease Control,2011). The problem is you need to coordinate schedules and, at times, plans may change. Your dog is always ready come rain or shine to go for a walk, take a jog, and even participate in sports. Anyone who has ever witnessed a dog catching a Frisbee can attest to the fact it is more entertaining to watch a dog exert themselves and sacrifice their body to catch one as opposed to another person, lacking the effort to even try to chase one that is overthrown or out of reach. That can be said for most sports that canines participate in. They will chase after a thrown ball until they retrieve it. They aren’t like ballplayers that are paid and need to perform to protect a salary. They don’t do it for the competition or the thrill of winning as people do. A dog does it simply for the opportunity to prove themselves worthy of their owners and, with a little luck, a small treat.
The biggest difference between man and dog is reliance. Friends may request your assistance from time to time but are considered to be self-dependent. Dogs on the other hand rely on their owners to provide the basics. If you provide them with a bowl of food, fresh bowl water, a clean blanket to sleep on, and an occasionally pat them on the head saying “Good dog” they will, in return, defend you with their life. This is where they rise above and beyond, outpacing the arrogance and conceit of most humans.In comparing the overall differences between humans and dogs, weighing and benefits of each, you must realize the life’s journey that you and your dog travel down can never truly be separated from one another. This isn’t necessarily the case with your human counterparts. With both there may be times of joy and sadness in each case. It is the unconditional love they often bring to us that people as friends seem to lack in the closest of relationships. “A dog is not almost-human, and I know of no greater insult to the canine race than to describe it as such”
Credit to: Ross B Terry
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