I am always amazed by the individuality of each dog that I have known in my life. And how, like humans, each appears to have his own unique combination of DNA, first that determines its breed, or mix or breeds if it is a mixed breed dog, and its appearance, but most of all its intelligence, personality and temperaments. We share those variations with them in our own minds and bodies. Yet, how few of us really takes the time to think of them that way, as perhaps “individuals” with lives, minds, phases of their life, and so on that comprise a story. Other than petting, walking, taking our dogs to the vet, living with them, do we ever try to peel back the layer of their persona to read that story, the story of their lives, to better know them?
I think for me, I like to think of them that way, as lives with merit and value, whose stories may be told if someone takes the time to consider it.