First, to Brandon: I thought you hated dogs?

Second, to Molly: My big dog (80-pound German shepherd) and my little dog (65-pound Doberman/American Staffordshire terrier mix), along with my 8-pound cat, peacefully co-existed in a townhouse for about six months until recently, when the 10-year-old shepherd was euthanized due to paralysis from hip dysplasia and a neurological condition. The shepherd had also lived in a big house with a yard and in a cramped apartment but never was lacking for exercise.

Now, with just the "little dog" and the cat, there's plenty of room for the crazy man to run inside (it's like Stairmaster on speed) and we're just minutes from a huge dog park when it doesn't look like long walks are quite enough.

Plus, I've always said that if a dog isn't as big as my dog's head, then it isn't really a dog.

Finally, to my parents: Sorry, but that teacup poodle you call Shoo-Shoo really doesn't count as a canine. It's not even as big as my cat!

On the dog exercise issue, I agree that the size of the house isn't as important as the level of the owner's understanding about the dog's needs. We have a 50-pound, extremely active Husky/Shepherd mix, and though we only have a smallish, one-and-a-half-story house, we take her to the dog park every day.

Brandon, I have to admit, I sometimes see tiny dogs and wonder, "What's the point?"

But what REALLY gets me is when I see people walking around and CARRYING their dogs in their arms or in a stroller (seriously, I saw this just last night in my neighborhood).

Unless those dogs have health conditions limiting their ability to walk, those owners should PUT THE DOG ON THE GROUND AND LET IT GET SOME EXERCISE. Even small dogs need activity!!!

Though I don't have a small dog, I CAN see the difference between having a small dog and having a cat. Actually, there are a lot of differences. They include:

Dogs love affection; cats want it on their own terms.

Dogs (some, anyway) can play fetch.

Dogs have the ability to learn commands.

And - dogs' urine doesn't smell nearly as bad.