COULD there be anything better than dogs?

I was always a cat person. Having grown up with them, I'd become used to their arrogance, their unwillingness to be your friend or even acknowledge your existence.

You have to work hard with cats, no doubt about it.

So recently, I've been veering into the mutt side of life.

It started off in the summer when I realised the best sport to do in Glasgow is dog spotting.

There's an abundance of furry pooches on every street, in every park, desperate for attention.

Then when the sun goes down and you're in the pub, the dogs are there too, shuffling around your feet.

The Belle near Kelvinbridge is one of the best dog spotting pubs.

My new found love for dogs led me to a story about a dog in the Highlands who climbs hills and has raised thousands of pounds for charities.

The Munro bagging dog is Cluanie. He wears a kilt with a matching hat on special occasions, poses with ancient military swords, runs riot on every beach and has eyebrows like Alistair Darling.

As you can probably tell, this Jack Russell Terrier - or Jack Rascal as he is dubbed - is pretty special.

I follow his exploits on his Facebook page, where his owner showcases dazzling pictures of Cluanie in a series of blue steel stares and action shots.

This animal is the most photogenic on the planet.

He even has social media clichés nailed - he takes part in #ThrowbackThursday, #FlashbackFriday and #TongueOutTuesday.

So the Crufts came to me at a time when I was verging on dog hysteria.

It did not disappoint.

Apart from the best in show - the magnificently bearded Scottish terrier Knopa -there were dogs in nighties and hair curlers.

There were poodles with piggy tails, dogs wearing necklaces, bibs or bouffant dos.

There were top knots and high pony tails, dip-dye and blow dries.

Seventies style poker straight fur and ginger things with quiffs.

It was like a night out in hipster Finnieston.

As much as I loved these over-preened creatures I'm also fond of a proper mongrel.

I like them all. I'm a cat and dog person now.

Last year at a party after too many rum and ginger beers a few of us started discussing what kind of dogs we'd be.

You can tell a lot about someone from their dog alter ego. Among us there were all sorts - golden Labradors and Staffies.

I was dubbed a Schnauzer, you know the creatures with the bearded snouts?

It is probably me down to a T- ideas above my station, glaikit and persistently barking.