A Man's Best Friend

While having lunch with some co-workers this week, one person at the table mentioned pictures of our loved ones. Quickly, the women at the table whipped out pictures of their husbands and kids. The men just sat and watched. When asked to produce the same, one man pulled out a picture of his dog. Everyone laughed. We learned that not a single man at the table had a picture of his wife/girlfriend or kids... but rather had pictures of our dogs. While it's easy to find the humor there, I think it's rather sad.

We all know the common cliche that a dog is a man's best friend. Why is it that an animal holds such high place in our hearts?

Some might suggest that it's because a dog is forever loyal. Are we really shallow enough to just ride this bandwagon of thought as normal? I guess what I'm trying to say is, has anyone considered that perhaps the man who coined the phrase was hurt by a woman. Thus, his reliance upon an animal isn't particularly the issue at hand, but rather a fear of rejection. Instead of facing that fear he places his devotion in a dog. Sadly, I'm not immune from said man's thinking.

I love my dog, Snickers. She's sweet (most of the time), doesn't talk back, and is always excited to see me when I get home from work. She cuddles with me on the couch and sleeps next to me at night. I know that she needs me, and feel in some strange way that I need her too.

After being the victim of a divorce, she remained loyal to me. I hate to use the word "victim", but chose to in this writing to emphasize my struggle to maintain my marriage while my ex-wife just turned her back and walked away. Snickers has proven to stand with me through my tough times. I'd like to believe that in those dark times she recognized my emotions, and that she shared the burden of pain with me. But have you ever talked to a dog? I have. They don't answer you! Assuming you get his/her attention, all they do is tilt their head at you while wondering what in the heck you're saying.

Other people may suggest that a dog is man's best friend because they don't argue. While this is true, are men really that horrible with communication and conflict resolution that they'd rather avoid it altogether?

In my own life I communicate with those who are special to me more effectively through actions than I do through words. Just because actions do speak louder than words, I'm not removed from verbal communication completely. Have you ever met someone who is in a successful relationship with another that never just sits and talks to them? Although there are some pretty strange couples out there, it's not normal. We must learn to communicate not only with our muscles but also with our mouths. Instead of rolling our eyes when she says "we need to talk", we should man-up and talk. Sadly, most of us do exactly as a dog would, we tuck our tail and hope not to be hit too hard with the newspaper.

I'm sure there are other theories behind the idea of a dog being a man's best friend. But after only discussing two theories I'm forced to think of myself and what it is about Snickers that makes me so comfortable. While comfort is great, it breeds complacency. A complacent man is a lonely man... with a dog.