Wading into the Debate

It’s controversial, and some of you are going to be mad, but at the risk of offending sensibilities I feel compelled to take a stand on that age-old debate: dogs or cats?

Now, I love them both—don’t get me wrong—but when it comes to storytelling, dogs make worthier subjects. Forgive me cat lovers. This isn’t to say that cats aren’t fascinating in real life. Cats are softer, and I might even argue that kittens are cuter than puppies. But on the page, dogs rule.

Readers, come on, you’re with me, right? All kids love stories about dogs like Lassie, and we never really outgrow our affection for dogs as characters. Consider classic novels like Call of the Wild, by Jack London, and contemporary bestsellers like Suspect, by Robert Crais. Who didn’t love Marley and Me? And what about The Art of Racing in the Rain?

Can you imagine those stories with cats instead of dogs? No, I thought not.

The truth is that we can relate to dogs more, partly because they convey emotion in ways that cats cannot. Dogs smile. You know it’s true. Sure, some of you will accuse me of anthropomorphizing, but who hasn’t looked into a dog’s eyes and seen joy, or compassion, or pain?

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