DOGS
As I've previously noted (Wolves), I've long loved dogs. Dogs are guards, companions, loyal friends. In fact, dogs can comfort the lonely, protect people and property, catch fleeing criminals, help cure the sick, prolong the lives of the elderly. What is it about dogs that makes them so wonderful?
Dogs grant unconditional love. Stories abound of cruel or negligent people who starve their dogs, beat their dogs, deny their dogs affection and yet the dogs respond with love. Dogs are unfailingly protective. Again, stories abound of dogs who refuse to leave the side of human friends, even after death. Dogs will do anything to please their loved ones. Even without training and without a harsh word or deed, dogs try to do the right thing and show mortification at the slightest displeasure of their human companions.
Dogs seem to have a sixth sense. Recent studies have produced many examples of dogs who are able to find their way home in seemingly impossible circumstances. I myself knew a dog who found his way home over a ten mile route he had previously only traveled once by car. I have read of a dog who was dropped from a helicopter in the jungle and found his way home before his human friends.
Are all of these things somehow related? Do dogs have a purpose to behave as they do? Has a supreme being placed dogs on earth to fill these roles? Is there a cosmic order which dogs follow? Or have we simply acculturated dogs over thousands of years to be our friends and protectors?
I don't know. But I do know that the wonderful dogs I have known comfort me and make me feel better about the world, help me to try to do good, teach me the beauty of love, loyalty, service.
If you can, share your life with dogs. If you can't, learn from them and try to live your life according to the rules of dogs: Love and protect others, be loyal and above all try not to hurt others. We'll all be happier and we'll all live richer lives.
12-13-99
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