The first thing I have to say is that I d not have a special relationship with animals. Not dogs, not cats, not birds, not fish, not horses and of course, not cows. Nevertheless, I receive all kinds of messages that anthropomorphize the behavior of animals,especially dogs and and cats. I have made many an enemy over this topic. I do not believe that dog is man's best friend. I believe that human beings are the best friends of other human beings. If a human being cannot find another human being to be a "best friend", then there is something wrong with the first human being. In my world there is no need for "seeing-eye" dogs; for "house keeping chimpanzees" or for any other "animal companion" arrangements. If you are blind, find a human to "see" for you; if you are deaf, find a human to "hear for you; if you are mute, find a human to "speak" for you; if you are wheelchair bound, find a human to conduct you where you want to go. As humans, we are called to help and support one another, not to direct one another to a lesser than human animal "guide." Our United States culture has degenerated into one that points us in the direction of a government program that can support us. Government programs are nothing more than animal support/companionship programs. We substitute the dog for the unionized operative. What ever happened to the loving family member? To the dedicated, loving friend? Think about it.
