Ted Babbitt

I am not sure what made me start thinking about dogs today. Maybe it is because my loyal  chocolate lab Brodie has been acting a little weird-  not eating, and that is REALLY weird for him. I decided it was because he was on medication for his foot, so I’ve stopped the medication and I am sure he will soon return to his usual ravenous  self.

Dogs are not peculiarly American,  but I think we Americans have such anthropomorphic feelings toward our dogs that they truly become part of our families.  This is, of course, not universally true, as there are many cruel people who seem to take perverse pleasure in engaging in dog cruelty. I don’t “get” animal cruelty in any case, but how could any human being enjoy inflicting cruelty on such a loving and loyal creature? To paraphrase Madeleine Albright,  a special place in hell is reserved for people who torture dogs.

I often say I wish I were half the man my dog thinks I am. He would kill for me. He misses me no matter how long I have been gone. Whether it is two hours or two weeks I’m greeted with the same enthusiastic welcome home, complete with barks and literal jumping for joy.

When I read that the Chinese were making dog hair coats and skinning the dogs alive because the animals’ pain softened the coat I became physically ill.  Only a sadistic psychopathic personality could do such an act.

And who would buy such a coat?

I became vegan because I was watching a program about eating dogs in Thailand and decided that since I didn’t need the protein of any warm-blooded creature I would no longer support the meat industry.

I haven’t been without a dog companion since I was a kid. At 74, with a dog who may well outlive me, I’m not sure whether there will be another canine in my life after Brodie but I’m keeping my options open. Once you’ve known the unconditional love of a dog, it is hard to live without.