Lessons from a Dog

I have a dog.

I love dogs, mainly because I love animals, but I didn't go out of my way to find this dog (just the same with the cats I've been blessed to have here), but we happened into each other's lives all the same.

Pets are treated a bit differently here. One of my best friends from the US is originally from Taiwan and she was a bit worried that I would have trouble seeing animals treated as, well, as animals and less like family.

The thing is, though, that animals aren't really treated any differently than people.

Let me explain. I began talking about this in this blog. Everything and everybody has a function. The usefulness of a person has to do with what that person can offer society, specifically related to accommodating the expectations held for their position, status or even gender. The usefulness of an animal is based on how it can serve a human being; we can eat them, look at them, play with them, or collect them. Rivers are a good thing to both fish in and throw your trash in,but not to just look at and say "wow - how pretty!". Everything and everyone has a "practical" purpose - the benefits of everything and everyone is based on how useful they are and how well it or they fulfill expected roles; in a more negative sense, on what can get be gotten from them- whether it's a reinforcement of a popularly held belief, an elevated status, or even just superficial entertainment. With few exceptions, I haven't noticed that many people or things are just appreciated for what they are - they have to fulfill some "practical" usefulness.

If that sounds a bit like objectification, it's completely intentional.

Now, back to my dog.

Even though he's been in a family since he was about 4 months old, he's still a bit feral/wild. I think I've talked about how all the animals I've had or known just love to bite and nibble...I think they can't help themselves. Unless they're a fancy breed, they're all still a bit wild.

I've been accused of spoiling him. I just pet him and love him...that's all. No fancy food - no expensive kennel and I don't run to him every time he cries. I just take him to pee or poop, pet and hug him, feed him, and talk to him. I just treat him with kindness.

I'm American. We love dogs. I can't treat one like a dog. I treat one like...well, I don't know. I just treat him like I treat all animals. If I were to be contextually appropriate, maybe I would treat him differently. And there's the rub.

How does one know how to treat other sentient beings when what is culturally appropriate is totally different? I don't like or dislike, respect or disrespect, value or devalue someone based on what they do for me, but on how they treat me. Are they kind? Are they considerate? Even if they're not, I don't hate them, I just steer clear.

There are many things that aren't too great about America. We can be racist and think our national/cultural way is the most enlightened in the world. Our foreign policy causes all kinds of trouble. Corporations have entered our collective bloodstream and they can suck us dry.We mindlessly kill each other and have an incredible crime rate for a developed country, but we do have some kind of foundation to appreciate people (or not, but at least it's an option). When we say thank you to someone, we not only thank them because we've benefited from whatever they've done, but we appreciate their effort (holding the door), their skills (preparing a delicious meal), or taking the time to be there for us when we need them. It's not expected, it's appreciated. And that's a big difference.

Back to my wild little dog. It would be easier to give him away or to treat him like a dog and leave him in a cage, feed him regularly and make sure he gets to poop and pee...but that's not appreciating what he is and how how he makes my life better, how he makes the children in the neighborhood happy, and how he can "represent" for his kind in his sweetness, his good temperament, and his loyalty. He can show that having a dog around is like having a friend. And that's a good thing.

Just like his mommy, he loves his greens.

                                                *******

I was reviewing my yet to be published posts and came across this one...I thought I'd finish it and share it, but I have to add a post script.

Something amazing has happened. My little wild dog has turned into an awesome champ. All of a sudden, he has stopped nibbling on me, he listens, and he doesn't want to destroy everything in his play space. He's matured. Wow. It's amazing what a little love can do. Now he really is a part of the family - and not a wild spirit, but a loyal, thoughtful, friendly dog. And a good one who still has spirit.

So the lesson from my dog is this:

Give love. Be kind, patient and appreciative. It doesn't cost a thing and it can only make life - all life - better for everybody.