No dog owner can ever be convinced that a certain look in a beloved pooches’ eyes can be something baser that ‘Gratitude’. No matter what science informs about the nature of canine sentience, it is impossible to describe their dog’s reactions without attributing human emotions: trust, joy and utter thankfulness in the presence of the beloved…

As a human sentiment–– such feeling is arguably related to the religious concept of ‘agape’–– the highest form of love. Yet that highest form of reciprocal love need not involve a master or creator. The depth of love for kindness, fellowship or mercy can be just as deeply felt in awe of random luck.

If there is a fundamental difference in non-religiou­s gratitude as opposed to the religious varieties––  that is in the unease attendant in the former. Perhaps the non-religious are more inclined to take nothing for granted. The non-religious may even be more wary of the vengefulness of gods, unappeased…   Moreover, even the most pampered pooch probably senses by instinct that its comforts can be suddenly snatched away…

I offer these thematic pieces in four chronological batches. While there are interrelated narratives, every vignette is hoped sufficiently coherent to stand alone.  

The final piece is a lengthier essay written in expression of gratitude for a particular canine companionship.

–FWT (lefthook51)

October 2020

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