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Sorry, cats – dogs are still more popular than you, at least among Americans. As of 2024, 65.1 million households own a dog and 46.5 million prefer cats. So, apologies to all the contrarians, but we have to go with the trends of the real world here and get in some doggo content.

Today, we're featuring the dog memes from the project I'd Rather Be With My Dog. It's an Instagram page with over 500k followers. But that's not all: it's also a brand that's all about rescuing pups and giving them a loving forever home. So sit back and enjoy some memes for dog lovers from other true dog lovers!

To know more about dogs and what their silly behavior captured in memes can be, Bored Panda reached out to Clinical Animal Behaviorist Karen Wild. She’s a registered dog trainer and author of five books on dog and cat behavior, including Being A Dog. Read on to find her thoughts on whether there is any behavioral basis on why dogs act as silly as they do in these memes or is it just us imagining things.


The I'd Rather Be With Your Dog Instagram is not just a meme page for dog lovers. It's also a lifestyle brand created by CEO Doug Ratner. He credits its creation to his pooch, Oggy. "I was sitting at the computer with my guitar in my lap," Ratner writes on the I'd Rather Be With My Dog website.

"I was fixated on a particular riff that I couldn't put any words to and needless to say I was frustrated. But lo and behold, sitting right next to me was my faithful Oggy, just staring at me with his big loving eyes, and instantly I came up with 'I'd rather be with my dogs, than be with you.'"

#5

Our Hero @maggiethewunderdog 💓💓 #hero #dog #dogs #idratherbewithmydog #beautiful #rescue #rescuedogs #amazing #love

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Jenna Kay
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope there is a special place in Hades for animal abusers.

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martin734
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I could never work for organisations like the RSPCA. I would be fired on the first day for beating the sh*t out of an animal abuser. I know I am not emotionally strong enough to stay calm and detached when dealing with someone who could do that to any animal.

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Traveling Lady Railfan
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can some humans be so evil, and others (her new family) be so wonderful? Dear sweet Maggie 💕

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Simon Green
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would like 5 minutes alone with the people who did this please.

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Bette
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There truly should be harsher penalties for animal abusers!!

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Shark bait hoo haha
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh that sweet baby! I am happy to know she is doing better! *sending virtual hugs!

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Nikki Gross
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think we should do the exact same thing to the PIECE OF S**T that hurt poor Maggie. In fact animal abusers should be punished the same exact way that they hurt or neglect those poor babies (I'm looking at you Michael Vick!)

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Kael jones
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had no idea who you were talking about, looked it up and now I am extremely upset

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TBS
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

New law proposal: Whatever you do to the animal will be done to you. (instant decrease in animal crime)

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Anywhere but Here
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The thing is, this dog has every reason to hate people and become vicious. Instead she shows amazing kindness and compassion and willingness to learn. Now, imagine how sweet this dog must’ve been and people chose to treat her that way. Not saying if she was aggressive or difficult it would’ve been excusable, but it speaks to the kind of monsters people can be.

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Ann M Clinkscales
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agreed! I don't know how they do it! I don't know how they can still love. We do notvdeserve dogs! 🐕 🐶 🦮 🐕‍🦺 🐩 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 ❤️ 💙 💜 💖 💗 💘 💚 💝 💛 🤎 white 🤍 Peace baby, you deserve the best forever on! I am so 😞 😔 😟 ❤️

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CJ Vee
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes me sick to my stomach. I’m so glad this dog got a second chance at life.

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Alpacas_Are_Life
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As punishment, animal abusers should have the same thing done to them that they did to animals.

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Tom jenner
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I pray they caught the person who did this and showed them some real street justice. That absolutely turns my stomach that someone could be that cruel. That barbaric to an animal.. just a sick piece of c**p

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Daya Meyer
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let me please do this happyily to that creature who hurt this precious soul. And yes, of course she can have a hug. And everything else. Isn't this amazing about dogs? They can be hurt, tortured and left behind by a human, but they are able to trust again if you treat them decent and have patience.

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Ann M Clinkscales
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMGosh! How do they do it? I know it takes love, but how do they just find the way to trust stupid/cruelnhumans after that?! Maggie, you are my hero! You are a beautiful baby! ❤️ 💙 💜 💖 💗 💘 🐾 🐾 🏅 😔

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Abraxas59
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lots of hugs beautiful girl im so sorry you hd to go thru all that at the hands of an inhuman congrats on getting better and passing that test xx

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Sarcastic Nana
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God blessed Maggie in surviving & healing 🙏 Karma is going after her abusers 🤞

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Marie deHeryng
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Precious precious soul. Nothing and no one can keep her down. Ha to those who tried! Good for you sweet warrior girl!❤❤❤❤❤

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Patti Cahoon
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

SOooo great for her bc she feels loved 😍 and needed ❤️

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MED71
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

😭....why. Why do I come to this place!? Where's the Tylenol?

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Crazy catz
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Goodest bestest most special girl in the world ❤️❤️

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#6

Truthhhhhh 🙌🙌 @dudewithdogsign Is Amazing! #idratherbewithmydog #dog #funny #allthedogs #friday #laugh

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forgetful, not lazy
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My late husband always laughed at the fact that if we watched a movie and people were hurt, die etc. I would freak out if they hurt the dog. Someone has to care about the animals because most times the people were just stupid.

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Today, I'd Rather Be With My Dog sells merchandise for pet owners, as well as for their four-legged best friends. They've got apparel for all pet lovers to express their devotion and love.

What's more, they're all about helping dogs in need. "We donate to different causes weekly, everything from rescues, to canine cancer awareness, or military dogs overseas who need our help," they claim on their website. I think the memes just got way more wholesome!

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Dogs in memes often act crazy and humanlike – and that's one reason people love them so much. We decided to ask an animal behaviorist, Karen Wild, whether our interpretations of dogs being "just like us" are true or just figments of our imagination. She says it's most likely both. "It can be a mixture of accurate behavior observation and inaccurate interpretation," the animal behaviorist says.

#11

Absolutely Incredible 😂 #wedding #love #dog #dogs #idratherbewithmydog

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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm boooored, Mom..wouldn't you rather get some ice cream?

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"In other words, memes usually represent a snapshot moment we might recognize, such as an emotion in a dog's face, but they say the reason for that emotion could be something only humans would do or think," Karen Wild explains. "It is very common for people to get it wrong, which is sometimes why dogs end up biting defensively."

#13

Right?!?!?! 🤣🤣 And Clear The Shelters Ends Today! All Profit Is Being Donated To Our Rescue Partners!click The Link In Our Profile To Shop! #dog #dogs #neighbor #neighbors #idratherbewithmydog #holiday #funny #relationship

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R1MV4Superleggera
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is going to sound ridiculous, but...I have the same problem, I barely know the names of mine, their doggies, on the other hand

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As much as we'd like to read the behaviors of our dog positively, our interpretations when they're being particularly meme-able can actually be the opposite. "Body signals in dogs can be due to negative emotions as well as positive ones, and often a mixture of these," Wild goes on. "If a dog is racing around, often called 'zoomies,' for example, this can sometimes be a sign of overwhelm rather than happy excitement."

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#17

Hahahaha 😆 #dog #dogs #idratherbewithmydog #funny

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Jenna Kay
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only reason my daughter wants to buy a house is so her dog can have a yard to play in.

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One of Karen's missions is to educate owners to differentiate between playful behaviors and signs of potential behavioral issues. In fact, a dog acting quirky isn't always as cute as we might think. "People need to learn the differences to prevent our lovely dogs [from] becoming stressed, unhappy, and defensive."

Karen recommends looking at multiple body parts on a dog to spot signs of distress. And consider context as well. "For example, a 'wagging' tail can be from a highly agitated and upset dog if the tail is held tense, high, and thrashing about. So, you'd look at the situation and the dog's head, body, eye, mouth, and ear movements, too. Dogs are excellent communicators -- we just have to learn their language!"

#22

Haha Yes 😄 Credit Unknown But This Is Perfect! #idratherbewithmydog #dog #dogs #funny #cya

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GPawesomeness
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have always been wary of people that don't connect with animals, that instinct has almost always been right.

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But do dogs have a sense of humor, too? They seem to delight in stealing our socks, shoes, and other belongings, but do they do it on purpose and with the intent to make us laugh? The animal behaviorist says it's possible dogs might steal your socks for different reasons each time they do it.

"However, they do enjoy their own idea of fun, so maybe they just like socks, or maybe they like the idea of us joining in a game," she admits. "Humans generally don't react when a dog takes their own toy, but when it's something [of theirs], suddenly, it looks to the dog as if 'everyone wants to play.'"

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If there's one thing Karen would like owners to know, it's that not one dog deserves physical punishment. She says we, as owners, must learn the language of the dog. "I'd like people to stop saying dogs are 'dominant' or 'spiteful' and then punishing them, shouting, and smacking them when it's us humans that have got their language wrong. Dogs are really intelligent creatures. If we really care about dogs, we learn how to communicate gently and safely."

#31

Amazingggggg 🤣🤣 #dog #dogs #funny #idratherbewithmydog #moredogs #smile

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giku T
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

he is not a pet. he is not just some other guy. he is a family member!

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#43

Hahah True #dog #dogs #idratherbewithmydog

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Zoey Bear
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same with our kitty. Jumps up and starts meowing in my face at 4am when feeding time isn't until 8am.

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#50

Hahahaha 😆 And Early Fall Designs Are Out 🍁 Click The Link In Our Page To Check Em Out! #dog #goldenretriever #goldenretrievers #idratherbewithmydog #funny #moredogs #allthedogs

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