Go Fetch! (The Short End of the Stick)

Your dog can go with you anywhere because s/he’s certified to help you with your need. You’re blind, you have a heart condition, you’re seizure-prone – whatever the condition you find yourself to be in need of a service dog, you are blessed. I am so happy that we are able to give “man’s best friend” even further purpose in this world. Really, really happy!  Dogs are fantastic and necessary to humankind.

Science has come a long way with these little furry friends of ours. They can predict earthquakes and bad weather, sniff out a bomb or drugs, can tell you if you have cancer, can find mold in your home; they alert you when the baby isn’t breathing or there’s a fire in the house; they help you hunt; they pull your sled; they guard your flock or herd and help you round them up; they guard your property; they protect you; they find you in the rubble of a fallen building. They do so much more than simply provide companionship.

Most of us never experience this kind of helpful dog. When it comes to our canine companions we are satisfied in the simple friendship they provide. We are content in petting their soft fur or being warmed by their little bodies as we sleep. They are our friends that we take hiking with us or play with in the park. They are a part of our families.

Dogs are truly God’s little gift to us. They do so much for us. And how do we repay them? We leave them at home or waiting for us in the car or even tied to post when we go the store. They can’t come. They can’t come in with us anywhere accept the occasional sidewalk café or the pet store or the park – well, some parks.

These little critters who love us so unconditionally are constantly left behind. Why is that?  Well, because of one incident here of a dog who bit someone at a public event or an occasion there where a woman complained because she was allergic to a stranger’s dog. I’m sure there have been a few unruly dogs (or selfish people) who have ruined it for the rest of all canine-kind. But it’s not right!

I will wait forever for you because I love you.

I’ll tell you one thing, I would rather be surrounded by wagging dogs than a crowd of people any day. Not that I’m averted  to spending time with people.  No, indeed!  I’m a social person just like anybody else.  But really if you want to compare qualities worth having, people will lose to dogs any day.  People who bathe in perfume/cologne and then shower us in their sneeze-inducing, runny-eye causing scent. People who think it’s okay to pollute other people’s lungs with their cigarette smoke. People who talk on their cell phones in the booth next to yours while you try to have a conversation with your date. People who allow their children to run wild, cry incessantly, or misbehave in public. People who yell at their children or have public disagreements with their friends. People who stink. People who eat their salad or hamburger with less manners than a baboon. People who express themselves with crude or offensive language, especially around children — especially to children! People who pickpocket or beat up on others.  People who grope us or say inappropriate things to us. And these are just the average people! I need not go into the major crime makers to prove my point.

In other words, I think they should have some generalized laws against humans in public. I mean, if we’re going with the logic that forms our laws about dogs, then it should follow suit that one annoying person should set a precedent for zero annoying people.

You know, I’d rather have a dog growl at me because he doesn’t like the color of my shirt or look down to find a Pomeranian humping my leg then deal with most people. I think dogs have gotten a bad rap – the short end of the stick. They do more for humans on a daily basis than most humans do for each other and they ask nothing in return but a little love and affection.

My tiny voice won’t make any changes, but it can bitch and moan a little bit and I’m okay with that for now. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a dog to spend time with.

Sincerely,
a tiny voice