Political and life lessons learned from dog lovers

Understanding why the left, center, and right on the political spectrum benefit from being dog lovers opens the door to greater understanding of other humans.

 

I was ready to write on a conversation on TikTok about an Idahoan who announced his split from MAGA. Instead,  I was motivated by two seemingly unrelated factors: 

Firstly, our beloved 8-year-old Corgi, Oliver, has been dealing with health issues. Regardless of demographic and political leaning, Ollie is adored by all who meet him. During a recent visit to the vet, I found myself seated near a gentleman wearing a MAGA hat. After sharing our respective dogs' health stories, I realized that we were identical in our care for our 'best friends.' I decided to take a risk and explore what we had in common – our love of dogs. (I believe I was wearing my Public Radio shirt; otherwise, I was not displaying my politics through my attire.) Without discussing politics, we talked about personal and social responsibilities (such as picking up after our dogs) and the flaws in the substance and enforcement of laws (specifically Iowa’s laws on puppy mills).

Secondly, I read today’s column "Teddy Was a King," by Steve Schmidt, which discusses the loss of his remarkable dog. As Steve wrote, “He was the most beautiful and gentle animal I have ever known. There are no words I can write to describe how much I loved him, and how much love he spread in the world.”

Some background on Steve Schmidt: He is a political strategist known for his work with the Republican Party, which now leans heavily against the current Republican Party.

Here is my list that may motivate you to consider other areas of common ground:

1. Love of dogs (or other pets) reflects Common Ground and Humanization–Recognizing that people across the political spectrum share common interests, such as a love for dogs, helps humanize those with differing views. Despite political differences, there are fundamental aspects of life that bring people together.

Building Bridges–Finding common ground is a starting point for building bridges and fostering dialogue between individuals with opposing political beliefs. It can create a foundation for understanding and mutual respect.

2. Reducing Polarization and Easing Tensions-In a polarized environment, focusing on shared values and interests can reduce tensions. Understanding that political opponents experience joy and affection through their pets can soften attitudes and reduce hostility.

3. Promoting Civil Discourse-Discussing non-political topics, such as pet care, can promote civil discourse. Over time, positive interactions around shared interests can pave the way for more constructive and respectful political discussions in the future.

4. Understanding Cultural and Social Dynamics-Realizing that the left, center, and right can be dog lovers challenges stereotypes and simplistic views of political groups. It highlights the complexity and diversity within political identities. Pets, including dogs, play significant roles in cultural and social lives. Understanding these roles across different political groups can provide insights into broader cultural dynamics and values.

5. Psychological and Emotional Benefits-Recognizing shared emotional connections contributes to emotional well-being and emphasizes common emotional experiences.

6. Practical Collaboration-A shared love for dogs can lead to collaborative efforts in areas like animal welfare, pet adoption, and the humane treatment of animals. These initiatives unite people across political divides in common causes. Activities and events centered around pets, such as dog parks, pet adoption events, and pet care workshops, bring together diverse groups of people, strengthening community ties.

Dog lovers offer a slice of shared humanity that transcends political differences. It emphasizes the importance of common ground in fostering empathy, reducing polarization, and promoting civil discourse.   Someone else will have to come up with a good quote that combines all these positive attributes of our fondness for our pets. I close with two:

“He who feeds a hungry animal feeds his soul.” —Charlie Chaplin

“Because of the dog’s joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift.” ―Mary Oliver 

PS Grammarly contributed to this text by responding to two AI prompts.