* No central database: There is no global record of how many dogs or cats each person has interacted with throughout their life.
* Varied definitions: What counts as "being around" a dog or cat? Does it mean owning them, living with them, walking them, or simply encountering them in public?
* Individual experiences: People have drastically different lifestyles and experiences. Some might have grown up with numerous pets, while others might have only interacted with a handful.
While it's fun to think about, determining a definitive answer to this question is impossible.
Instead of focusing on who has been around the most, you might consider these interesting facts:
* Popularity: Dogs are generally more popular pets than cats worldwide, meaning more people likely have experience with dogs.
* Lifespan: Cats tend to live longer than dogs, so individuals with long lives may have encountered more cats over time.
* Occupation: Some professions, such as veterinarians, animal trainers, or animal shelter workers, inherently involve frequent interactions with both dogs and cats.
Ultimately, the number of dogs or cats someone has been around is a personal and individual matter.