Don’t Bring Me Down
So I’m browsing around and come across this article, via Instapundit, about some yahoo who wrote another article dissing dogs and dog owners for believing that their dogs love them.
Eric Zorn, a writer for the Chicago Tribune, recently mocked a local woman, Jess Craigie, who dove into near-freezing waters to save her dog from drowning. Zorn wrote, “Note to Jess Craigie: Your dog still doesn’t love you.”
Uh huh.
I wrote a post a while ago about dogs and souls. It’s a more complicated and mysterious than any of us can truly understand or explain in our lifetime. Perhaps after we die we will find out the true answer.
For now I refuse to believe that my dogs don’t recognize and love me in their own doggy way.
It may not be love the way I understand love and express it as a person. But it is their own way of showing us their affection for us. When I come home from work and hubby has the door cracked open just enough so that their happy doggy noses are sticking out, tongues out, and tails wagging. You can just sense their excitement.
When I walk in the door I’m sniffed and rubbed up against…of course this is partially conditioning. I give them luvins when I come home and they expect it.
But you can’t tell me that Trooper isn’t fond of me. Perhaps he only sees me as alpha and his “affection” and attention is merely his way of relating to alpha. Maybe.
If that’s all it is, I’ll still take it and accept it as his way of loving his mommy.
Can anyone truly quantify the love or affection of a dog (or cat for that matter)?
May 14th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Daisy’s mom here:
I’ll tell you this, when either my husband or I come home (even after just a couple of hours away), Harley comes running towards us and meows loudly with happiness. Then he throws himself on the ground and rolls around with his belly in the air.
May 14th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Perhaps he only sees me as alpha and his “affection” and attention is merely his way of relating to alpha. Maybe.
Okay, maybe. The people who believe that sort of rot have never heard of Greyfriar’s Bobby. Or read ‘Elephants[Dogs] Never Lie About Love’.
I’ve read Priests who said that dogs *do* have souls and it’s very plausible to assume that they will be with us in the hereafter…
SO these people can kiss my lily white behind.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:32 am
The writer is an idiot! I believe our animals love us as we love them. Nuff said.
Have a terrific day.
May 20th, 2009 at 5:49 am
Of course your dog loves you! What a great picture of you together!! I agree with Comedy Plus above! 2 Paws up!
May 20th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Note to Eric Zorn: You’re a heartless, soulless, hate-filled jackass.