Meanwhile, the cat…

If you were a dog, would you be an inside dog or an outside dog?

…

…

From my personal point of view, I’d rather be an outside dog. The freedom entices me. Would I play in the snow? Absolutely? Would you? I hope so, but don’t be worried about having a different opinion. Having different tastes or likes or desires from someone else doesn’t necessarily make you wrong. The world would be a dull place if everyone enjoyed the same music, or ate the same kind of food, or preferred the same exact activities.

The dog chases sticks. I don’t want to pretend to know what the dog is thinking when he enjoys this activity. I probably have a clue, though. If I was that dog, why would I chase a stick? For the mystery and excitement of seeing where the stick landed. For the thrill of seeing how fast I could return with it. Did the stick fly farther than last time? Where will it land? Can I differentiate the one thrown from all the other sticks in the world? What will the stick smell like when I pick it up this time? Did you see how fast I ran? Want to see me do it again? Want to see how fast I am when the wind changes direction?

If a dog could throw his own stick, would he ever come back?

Your dog will follow you anywhere. Dogs don’t likely know when you’re homeless. Dogs don’t likely know when you’re lost. Dogs follow because they have a loyalty uncommon to the animal kingdom. Not many animals would stick with you no matter where you go.

A dog chases his own tail. I’m not even going to pretend to know what the dog is thinking when he chases his own tail. Is he thinking he’ll catch it? I don’t know. Is he thinking, “Look how fast I can move my tail!”? Not sure. There’s an answer. Only the dog knows, and it should probably stay that way. Let the dogs have some secrets.

It’s no secret that dogs need to go for walks. If a dog is an inside dog, Mister Owner-Man will need to leash him up and take him around the block a time or two. Exercise still happens outside for the inside dog.

Leashes are less of a necessity for an outside dog. Do you sense the freedom of being an outside dog? Have I convinced you yet?

An outside dog has the freedom to chase other dogs, to bark at other dogs, to bark at passing vehicles, to cower under a rock during lightning storms, to howl at midnight, to growl at outside cats.

A dog can chase and race and fetch. A dog can shatter bones with his teeth. A dog can growl and howl and bark.

Meanwhile, the cat…