Dogs

My fantasy of one of the better possible worlds would be a place where pet shops and backyard breeders did not sell dogs or cats, and where shelters were the only place to get one (neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated), at least until the terrible overpopulation problem is solved. Too many of us are insensitive to how precious these innocent helpless lives are, every single one of them!

I believe that behavioral problems are correctable with time and patience. We adopted a pit bull when she was 3.5 years old, a terror who was apparently brutalized in someone's attempt to raise a watchdog. Five years later, we have the sweetest, gentlest, lover of all living things. She knows that she is loved, and exactly like any of us, responds in kind.

I read an article about how to acclimate one's pet to the vet's office. This is not my concern. At the vet's office my coonhound Tess is the very picture of calm, placid serenity. I, on the other hand, am a screaming wreck, yapping, snapping, and pooping all over the floor.

I tell my Tess that I love her (absolute truth!), that she's pretty and sweet, and that she's my puppy (she's 7). She has no idea of what I'm talking about, but the effect is the same as if she did, for both of us.

How about this: In the best of all possible worlds would anyone own any living thing? I'm companion/brother/father/lover to three special needs senior dogs and a 12 year old cat. They are not my pets, because I refuse to objectify them. They are not chattels; I take no rights of ownership. I feed and shelter them, take care of their medical needs, and love on them. I need to. But of course, I'm not your role model.

Make what you will of it.