For the sake of argument, I am going to assume that everyone knows that dogs are superior to cats and that cats are superior to dogs! Contradictory? Nope. Mystifying? Yep! Yet, we love both for their individuality. Makes sense whether you own them or they own you. God said he made the animals for our pleasure. I wonder what he told the cats and dogs! I have owned both cats and dogs. Therefore, I can speak about both without being able to really explain them or their behavior. Some people are like that as well. Some humans are like that more than others. Though we often see people in cats or dogs position whether single or not; we don't like to admit that our pets own us or control our lives. They do.
There is also a difference between cats and dogs in different environments. I grew up on a farm where dogs and cats had their place. The cats were housed in the barn or wherever they found a place to call home. Dogs did the same but not inside of a building. If we did this today in suburbia, we would have outrage from all kinds of animal related organizations. We didn't feed the cats any food and they survived well. Hunger makes anyone a hunter. We threw left overs to the dog. That included almost any and every food that humans ate. There were no vaccinations, flea treatments or medicine for the sick animals. Basically they were left to govern their world.
Another difference is how manipulative the cats or dogs are. Cats tell us that they will allow us to feed, pet, and provide a warm place to rest. Dogs are happy to just be in our presence. If you put a cat and a dog in the trunk of a car for 2 hours and then open the trunk, see which one is eager and happy to see you! When necessary (to obtain a goal) cats can be nice, attentive and complimentary. Give them what they want and they are gone to that nice bed of your dirty clothes under your bed. Dogs put money in the bank every day, all day long with their constant companionship and allegiance. They take a pat on the head or belly rub and continue to put money in the bank. Though dogs can be manipulative, they are far less inclined than cats.
My wife is mystified at how people engage me. She says that strangers within minutes of contact with me begin to tell me the intricacies of their lives. She is right about that. Not all people and not always when I want, but this phenomena takes place wherever I am. Grocery store, big retailer, little café; it doesn't matter. People generally like interaction (opposite of cats) with other people. There are many hurting people out there who just want to be heard. I don't have the power to give a solution. But I can listen. People generally like to be helpful to those around them (much like dogs) and are happy doing it. There are many hurting people out there who just want to be helped.
Most people fall into the category of Doc or Cog or cod or dot. We have learned that pets are a reflection of their owners. For the most part this is true. Likewise, we find ourselves more like out pets. In any case, we are both individual and corporate beings. Like dogs and cats (or cats and dogs) we want the basics. We want love, acceptance and approval. So, we go where there is potential of this happening. We associate with people who are most likely to give these to us. Here is where the difference pops up. Outside of each other, where do we go to get love, acceptance, and approval? I suggest we seek God. We learn about Him, rely on Him, and devote our lives to Him. To do otherwise would be a lesson in futility.
Just as there are differences in the animal kingdom, there are differences between the human kingdom. Males and females have differences just like dogs and cats. Males and females have different hierarchy of needs. While we try to get that inner need met; we learn somewhere on that time line called life that no human can give us what we seek. We seek love, acceptance and approval regardless of our station in life. Some do so louder than others. God came to us in Jesus. We celebrate his birth at this time of year. That's why the first six letters of Christmas are to be the focus of our celebration every day. God came to save a fallen people...all people.
This time of year is not about cats and dogs or humans. This time of year is about God's provision for us in ALL aspects of our life. We are thankful and express that thankfulness in different ways. Some only engage the holiday during the year. Others celebrate the holiday every day in their lives. Somewhere between the two examples we are positioned. Some years we are more like cats and other years we are more like dogs. Where do you stand in your relationship to God? This year I am more like Jesus than I was last year or the year before or the year before that. My dogs love me as do some of the people in my life. God loves me without constraint just as I am (because he knows me). Take some time this season to examine your life and that life in regards to your relationship to God and fellow man.
Merry Christmas!
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