My Best Friend is a Dog

How many times have you heard people say that dogs are the best friends that humans can ever have? However, phrases like this, have been repeated over again and can end up becoming meaningless or said out of habit. So, how much truth is there to this statement? Here at My Animals, we have given ourselves some time to reflect upon the answer to this very question.

Where Did the Phrase, “Dogs Are a Man’s Best Friend” Originate?

The origin of the phrase, “Dogs are a man’s best friend” can be traced back to Missouri, USA. It was said during a trial, by a lawyer named George Graham Vest , towards the end of the 19th century.

The professional lawyer was hired by a person facing a neighboring farmer who had murdered his dog. The dog was called, Old Drum.

In his final argument, the lawyer used many reasons that are still employed today and justify why dogs are considered to be man’s best friend. What he said remains on record, under the title, “Tribute to the Dog.”

Reasons Why Dogs are Considered to be a Man’s Best Friend

Everyone has the right to choose their own friends; there is no doubt about that. On that note, dogs give us countless reasons to consider them good friends too. For example, dogs:

• Are faithful.
• Do not discriminate against others because of their appearance, age, social status, etc.
• Can perceive when something is amiss and will try to comfort you.
• Will defend you if someone tries to attack or harm you.
• Provide great company, steering the people around them away from loneliness and depression.
• Can detect if you are ill or have a disease.

Is it a Sign of Friendship When a Dog Does Not Question You?

However, some of the reasons that many people use to explain why dogs are man’s best friend, do not seem like good reasons at all. When well-analyzed, they are even questionable

For example, some people claim that dogs are man’s best friend because they do not judge you. They love you no matter what you do.

At a human level, this attitude does not come from other humans. If we take the example to an extreme, and someone is a hitman, a rapist, or is scamming defenseless and elderly folk, should that person’s attitudes not be judged?

However, the dog is not the one at fault in this scenario. Most dogs have no reason to know what their owners are doing. We disagree with people who consider it a good thing, when their negative behaviors are not questioned.

Other Questionable Lines of Reasoning in Regard to the Friendship Between Dogs and Humans

Other things that tend to stand out when proving that dogs are man’s best friend are that they accompany you wherever you take them. This without complaint, or that they are not spiteful.

In this case, the question would be: why should an animal hold a grudge against its owner? The only explanation is that the person must have treated the animal badly and caused it some sort of physical or psychological damage.

So, in these types of cases, we are no longer talking about a healthy relationship. A good friend does not harm others or endure abuse in the name of friendship.

At this point it must be said that, even though dogs can be considered to be man’s best friend, humans are not always a dog’s best friend.

How Humans Can Be Dog’s Best Friends

In certain cases, there is also the issue of the relationship with a pet who becomes sick. For example, if you start to live solely for your pet and put contact with other humans to one side.

In any case, considering your  dog a good friend is something positive, as long as you also develop different types of relationships with people.

Besides, the most important thing is that you honor this famous phrase and give it substance by becoming your dog’s best friend. You can achieve this by respecting his nature, setting clear behavioral rules and taking responsibility for the good and proper care of your dog.

https://myanimals.com/5-things-that-your-dog-doesnt-like/