Comments on: Dogs and Dreams

By: Faith Williamson

Faith Williamson — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 01:48:09 +0000

Okay, I feel the need to voice my opinion here as well. Would one let a toddler run free outside unattended because it doesn’t want to stay in it’s playpen? A dog or a cat doesn’t know enough to look both ways before crossing a street, nor does a young child. We do not “own”
our pets but they should “own” us as we are their guardian and protector. It seems to me that humans who allow their pets outside really don’t have a very good connection with them and have responsibilty issues. The Humane Society and area shelters are forced to put down millions of animals yearly due to humans irresponsibilty. I find this kind of mentality in today’s society disturbing.
Kent Nerburn is obviously an intelligent human being and a brilliant writer but I’m very surprised at his lack of respect and loyalty to his dog and companion.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 19:19:03 +0000

I’ve been keeping up with the postings regarding pets and the decision to give them the freedom to explore. The point of the matter isnt the resulting effect of the decision, it was the decision to give them the freedom in the first place. I have 3 dogs and 2 cats, all with very distinct personalities. The cats are allowed to wander as they will and one of the dogs gets his playtime outside without a leash. The other two dogs are always kept leashed because they’ve had issues with moving vehicles and wandering off in the past. All of our animals were “dumpster bums” when we found them. Someone had uncaringly tossed them off at the local garbage dumps to fend for themselves. They were all scared, hungry, and cold when we opened our hearts (and car doors) to them. They have all turned in to well behaved, well adjusted companions for my family. They all had rough starts but lead a decent life now.
The point is they were given the chance to figure out how they wanted to be without prejudice. Instead of them moving in and having to immediately conform to a lifestyle totally new to them we all took our time, feeling things out, getting a taste of all things new and undiscovered. It is a constant learning experience with pets, as with children. It isnt that one doesnt care – its that they care enough to take the chance to allow each his own…

By: Sharyn McCormick

Sharyn McCormick — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 00:47:07 +0000

I really have to take issue with the previous comment. The fact that I have an opinion about dogs running free does not mean that I do not have respect for other people and their ways. My question to the above writer is how can you have self-respect if you don’t take responsiblity for your life and the things in it? Saying that we choose to “assume” responsiblity is a cop out for not taking responsibility. I just find it incredibly sad that a family pet died unnecessarily because no one took the time to watch it and see to its safety. Our pets give their lives to us, is it too much to ask of us to take some time out of our busy lives to care for them properly? If I did not assume responsibility for my dog and just opened the door and let her “run free” and she was hit by a car would I take solace in the fact that she was running free? I could get another dog and the same thing could happen to her, and so on and so on. A person could go through a lot of dogs if each dog they had was killed by a car or injured in some other way, say by another animal, while it was “running free.” They could also be laying someplace injured and suffering and you would not know that if your dog is free to roam. There are many dogs dead along the road because their owners didn’t take the time to care for them and just let them run. How are they supposed to know that they should not run in front of a car? Oh well, too bad, we will just get another one! When we take on a pet we take on a responsibility to care for them just like we do when we have children, are in a relationship, own a home, buy a car etc. We don’t really own any of these things either for that matter. Taking responsiblity is part of growing up. You have a responsiblity to be at work on time, to do your job, to provide for yourself or your family, etc. If you don’t want the responsibility that goes with owning a pet, then don’t have one.

By: Beverly

Beverly — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 19:18:06 +0000

Hello Kent, I absolutely agree with you on your approach to having a dog in your life. We don’t own them and the “responsibility” that some assume for animals or anything else in this life is truly assumed and not a law of nature. I admire your mindfullness and ability to live your life by your truth. Respect for other peoples’ ways and decisions comes with respect for ourselves and everyone’s inate freedom and individuality. I am so thankful that you have shared your thoughts here and even before reading the previous judgements I wanted to write to say thanks for speaking my own mind so eloquently!!!

By: cyntcha

cyntcha — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 13:48:42 +0000

I have to agree with Sharyn on this one. “Coincidentally,” just before reading your story, we drove home from a theater and I noticed a beautiful black cat lying dead on the side of the road, and wondered about her owners. We don’t keep our pets safe because we’re neurotic about their well-being, but because we are charged with responsibility once they are ours. I hope Lucie is around a long time to experience the deep love and affection you obviously have for her. I also hope you reconsider the negative energy she’s engendering from innocent people who also may love dogs, and who may feel a horrible sense of guilt if they should be the one to accidentally take her life.
Blessings.