don't kiss your dog? How about no! Especially if you brush your dog's teeth every day and take care of the dog, like one should
Experts: "Please don't do this."
People who eat undercooked bats and people who kiss their dogs: "Nah, I do what I want!!"
Obviously, its a hyperbole. We've evolved with dogs living in close proximity with us while most the world's population has evolved past handling/stomaching exotic meats. But telling yourself that "I brushed my dog's teeth so I'm good" is deluding yourself. Brushing teeth does not sterilize the mouth and does not prevent parasites. However, the risk is pretty low and so you decide to take the chance because you have a special bond with your dog, which I can completely understand; I would die for my dog. Except, that transmission of disease is not a 1 way street (despite what some MDs "think") its not only what risks your dog poses to you but what risks you pose to your dog or cat or ferret or whatever. Is it really "taking care of your pet" if your actions pose a serious risk to them? Which is the whole point of the article, no matter how misguided their presentation of the data is and their assumptions, a dog potentially got sick in the household because owners were inappropriately close to their pet.