Speciesism

 

Idle thoughts of an idle mind turn to

plumbing the depths of introspection

incited by the random sight of a sign

reading 'Husky for sale' eliciting a sharp

intake of breath for of course dogs are

sold and they are bought as commodities

chosen by those for whom companionship

of another animal speaks to the quality

of their lives. A transaction from owner

to purchaser, one surrendering a possession

the other acquiring that very same possession.

Soul for sale. For if we have souls so too do

they. And consider this: would we sell a

two-year-old child? Dogs gain the intelligence

as they mature of a human child; moreover

they have the capacity to interpret our moods

they build a dictionary of human words, they

anticipate us, they befriend us for life and

we depend upon their loyalty and their love.

To look into someone's eyes is to look deep

and make communion with another soul.