A man's best friend

In America we have a saying, "a dog is a man's best friend".

Some people think that the way to make a man your friend is to treat him like a dog.

Dogs will never erect a statue to Bob Barker (the "spay and neuter" game show host with a most ironic name).

My wife has a dog named Sadie. Sadie sometimes appears to "love" us, but in reality she loves whichever of us is feeding her at the time. When the food is gone, she goes back to sleep.

In comparing myself to Sadie, I have discovered the following:

• We imprison our pets, spay or neuter them, prevent them from doing that which their instincts require of them. But in return we feed them and tell ourselves we "love" them. Most people I know have more compassion for a hungry dog than for a hungry homeless person.
• Our culture also imprisons us, prevents us from unauthorized breeding activities, and completely forbids the things we might do instinctively as human animals. In return we are allowed to work for our daily food ration, and the government and our neighbors pretend that they "love" us. And still, most people spend more money on their pets than they do for human-related charity.
• People cry when they watch the ASPCA ads showing beaten, caged animals; but most people sneer or laugh when they hear about fellow humans beaten or raped in prison.

Try the following to see what happens:

• Let your dog go;
• If she comes back because she loves you, keep her;
• If she comes back for the food, feed her;
• If she doesn't come back; celebrate her escape.

And next time you see a homeless person, don't "treat him like a dog", try treating him the way you treat your pet.

If he then sits on your lap and licks your face, don't hold me responsible.