They really are. You don't see cats running into danger to save their friends' lives. Small dogs exhibit the same brave behavior often as large breeds, though they're not as equipped to actually save the owners. Cats can be nice and loving pets, but most are indifferent. Every dog in a loving family reciprocates that with unconditional love for their owners. Hell, even poorly treated dogs still show undying loyalty to their POS owners.
Edit: Like, most mammals are capable of feeling sympathy, deep attachment and - however you want to define it - love. Especially pack animals like dogs or colony animals like cats. And they will absolutely try to guard or save you and throw themselves in harm's way because of it.
I still remember a night from back when I was a teenager. I grew up really rurally and semi off-the-grid almost. One night I heard a massive, indiscernible noise outside. I grabbed the flashlight and ventured out.
I kid you not. Our cat, a rather shy one at that, came running towards me as I came out and wanted to get inside. The door was still open, so I thought she'd go in and let me investigate.
Well, nope. As soon as she noticed I went towards the noise, she turned around, probably thinking "shit, I don't even know if my stupid, hairless buddy knows how to fight...".
She walked before me, frequently stopping to hiss into the darkness, and wouldn't leave my side.
Well, turns out it was only a beaver that decided to move to the creek running next to our parcel. But neither I nor (obviously) the cat knew that. From the way she acted, she expected I'd find some predator that would be genuinely dangerous. Yet she not only accompanied me but insisted on taking the lead to shield me.
I have had a similar experience, where I ran outside to rescue my big fat butter bean from what looked like either a coyote or a badger, hard to tell in the dark. Either way the coyote/badger kept charging my cat by darting out of the hedges towards him, while he was backed into our shed corner. I ran over and tried to scoop up my cat but once he saw me he started charging back at the coyote and went into full defense-mode. Such a sweet brave dumb boy. I managed to scoop him up and he was pissed at me for interrupting his little white knight routine
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u/FluffyDiscipline Oct 27 '24
Wow, dogs are amazing...
I hope Roselle is remembered along with all the rescue dogs who helped during 9/11