We hold contradictory views of dogs.
One is the old-fashioned view: to regard them as work animals, trained for service, from which high levels of obedience and performance are expected, and ideally kenneled outdoors. Guard dogs, hunting dogs, fox-hunting dogs, sled dogs, rescuer dogs, tracking dogs, police dogs, seeing-eye dogs, race dogs, Saint Bernards carrying cheap brandy, and so forth. Servants, not friends, who are to be put down if they cannot handle their task.
But that view is more from our hard head than from the heart, because we love dogs and they love us, if they are allowed to, in mysterious ways which go far beyond the provision of kibbles: dear pals, providers of unconditional love, nightime foot-warmers, front-of-fireplace curlers, boisterous walking companions, food stealers, and cave-protectors.
Passionate Conservative talk show host and Constitutional Law expert Mark Levin is whole-heartedly in the latter camp. He only owns dogs rescued from shelters. Of his latest book Rescuing Sprite, he comments:
There’s a special connection or bond between humans and dogs. It’s as if dogs exist to bring people happiness. They teach us about life, loyalty, joy, trust, responsibility, and laughter. They help us clear out all the clutter that surrounds our busy lives and focus on what’s really important. They tell us it’s okay to take time to play sock-pull or have a catch, make silly noises, and enjoy yourself despite all the pressures we adult humans have deal with. Let me put it this way: Dogs are not pets. Dogs are family.
Well, he slips into the anthropomorphic, or pathetic, fallacy here, but I know what he means. Country folk are not so sentimental about dogs.
I aim for a compromise, but all of us at Maggie's Farm are suckers for a puppy.
