Jeremy Greenberg on Why Dogs Are Hilariously Human

Bored Panda contacted author Jeremy Greenberg, who writes humorous gift books for pet lovers (1). Some notable books Greenberg’s books include “Sorry I Pooped On Your Shoe” and “Sorry I Humped Your Leg.” When asked why we find dogs so funny, the author said, “Dogs have no idea they aren’t human. Cats know they aren’t human, and would be repulsed by such a condescending comparison. But dogs think they are us and want to do all we do. So we give them peanut butter and think it’s funny when they struggle to eat it with the ease of a kindergartener.” 

Greenberg writes letters from the pets’ point of view to their owners in his books. Sometimes, he assumes the role so well that some might suspect he’s some Doctor Doolittle-type mind reader. “I am, without any guile, perfectly able to understand what our pets are thinking,” Greenberg confirmed our suspicions.

“But don’t be too impressed. As with dogs, it’s usually just a multiple-choice question of a few thoughts: One, I am hungry; two, I want attention; and three, the impermanence of material existence means that you don’t actually have to go to work and can take me for a walk right now!”

Greenberg on Prankster Pups, Cats’ Dark Humor, and the Pets That Chose Him

Being a dog whisperer, however, isn't Jeremy’s only occupation. He is also a comedian and believes that dogs can be born entertainers. “Prankster puppies are plentiful. They love to do hilarious things like hide our shoes and terrorize delivery people,” Greenberg believes.

Greenberg suggests he did not choose pets as his subject material, “pets actually chose me. I have a terrible personality and cats and dogs are the only beings who can tolerate me. Seriously, I’m the worst.”

Wait, what? Cats? Yes, Greenberg says he’s more partial to cats, and other books in his catalog include “Sorry I Barfed On Your Bed” and “Sorry I Slept On Your Face.” Both are collections of letters from cats to their owners.

When asked about it, he added: “I relate to cats more because I have poor social skills and love to bite people.” And to address the age-old question: cats or dogs, Jeremy’s answer was much more diplomatic this time: “Truth is that, like music or art, one’s view of which pet is best comes down to personal preference. But I would say that cats have more ‘insult and shock’ humor, and dogs are more observational and family friendly.”

Why Greenberg Isn’t Worried About the Future of His Dog Books

When there’s plenty of funny dog content online, one might think authors in the dog genre would feel threatened by the competition. But Greenberg isn’t worried about the future of his hilarious letter books, saying, “Until you can give an Internet as a gift, I think these books will always have a place in warming human hearts.” 

It’s not clear if every pet Jeremy has ever met relayed this message to him or just how he feels personally, but he tackles the question of bodily autonomy in cats and dogs. In a true animal advocate manner, he jokingly added: “Please forget to spay and neuter your pets.”

The Science Behind Why We Can’t Resist Cute Dog Pics

We enjoy browsing through dog pictures online, but have you ever wondered why we find it so appealing? What’s the science behind it? When it comes to our pets, our emotional connection drives our reactions — it’s my dog; I love it, so it makes me feel good. But what makes a meme of a small dog wearing a turtleneck and glasses so entertaining?

Looking at dog pictures online can “improve our well-being.” Multiple studies, such as one published by Jennifer Golbeck, Ph.D., featured on Psychology Today in 2020, have found that it benefits our mental health in the short and long term (2). The same perks apply when you see anything cute, but dogs, in particular, are an excellent stress reliever.

University of Victoria scientist Olav Krigolson, when interviewed by CBC in 2017, suggested that the power of unexpected cuteness is even stronger (3). When you don’t expect to see something wholesome and suddenly do, the brain perceives it as a reward. It results in a sudden dopamine rush, activating the same chemical reward system triggered by hard drugs. 

But don’t be alarmed — the words “hard drugs” might sound alarming in the context of cute dog pics, but it’s not as severe as it seems. When scientists refer to the potential for addiction in this context, they mean an “addiction to a placebo,” according to Joshua Dale, a scholar from Seattle. It releases dopamine and oxytocin in the brain, but primarily, it just heals you. 

Looking at cute dog pictures can also help with your attention and concentration, according to a 2012 study published in the PLOS Journal (4). The brain’s reward system is only triggered when we see a pleasant image as a surprise. So unless you’ve deliberately set up numerous cute dog picture traps throughout your day, you should be fine.

Why Dog Memes Dominate Our Hearts and Health

A 2021 study published in the Psychology of Popular Media Journal has found that, at least based on the results during the pandemic, animal memes tend to be liked more than memes about us (5). The most popular ones are those featuring puppies or babies. 

It shows that innate survival mechanisms, such as toward helpless animals, automatically trigger a more robust emotional response. The same study reveals that memes featuring young animals are perceived as cuter than those featuring young humans. The same goes for adult doggies and grown-ups.

People who own or have owned a dog naturally relate to dog-related content more and enjoy some health perks. According to Harvard Health, having a canine friend can reduce the risk of heart disease (6). Dog owners are also more likely to engage in extra physical activity due to taking daily walks.

Having a canine companion may also benefit our mental health. Dogs have been a massive part of therapy and education in recent decades. They’re often used as therapy animals because they help reduce the symptoms of depression and help build resilience to stress, explains Maria Cohut, Ph.D. in a 2018 feature for Medical News Today (7).

Dogs vs Cats: Why Both Pets Keep Dominating the Internet

Luckily, the health benefits of owning dogs aren't limited to them. Cats also have the same effect. As some headlines suggest, like the Guardian 2014 article, “Why the internet loves cats – not dogs,” cats are even more prevalent (8). The article claims dogs do funny things to appeal to their owners because they seek validation.

On the other hand, a cat gets in a tiny box just because it’s what it feels like at the moment. Essentially, dogs are try-hards. Jack Shepard (author of the article) calls a cat’s behavior “art for art’s sake.” But in defense of dogs comes Elena Cresci, with a 2016 Guardian feature, saying dog goofiness strengthens their relatability (9).

Cats always seem too cool for everything, too unbothered, yet there’s a persistent stigma of all cat owners being “crazy cat ladies.” Whichever pet you prefer, there’s no denying that cats and dogs dominate the internet.