When the bitch comes to visit

Every weekend Julie's parents come up to stay with us and enjoy their house. While this is usually a bummer for me seeing as I can no longer blast hip hop music or make forts out of the furniture in the house, it is nice to get a break from the responsibilities of entertaining Julie. This week my duties as court jester have been doubly cut back thanks to Neil graciously letting us dog-sit his beloved Allie.

She is a sweet Oreo colored Husky-Mutt who is probably the most laid back dog you could possibly meet. Like most dogs she enjoys long walks, treats, licking sleeping people, dismembering toys and tearing out their squeaker, and above all else; other dogs. When last Julie and I took her out for a pee/poop, we encountered a couple of sweet Labradoodles. After some salutary butt-sniffs the fluffy, friendly dogs went on to enjoy their freedom. Unfortunately for Allie I had to keep her on a leash as to not lose Neil's capricious pup.

I was placed in the uncomfortable position as the oppressor of Allie. Here she had just made some friends and would very much like to run and play with them, but I held her back as if to say "Freedom is for the White 'n fluffy". Sure I was dealing with a dog and not a person but the racial undertones felt all too real. Who was I to say she must be held captive as the rest of the world goes on adventures? Sure I had been co-entrusted with maintaining possession of Allie this week, but morally I didn't know if I could take on the role of master.

I'm sure the domestication of certain animals does lend them to leading healthier happier lives in many instances but I have personally always wished for a greater coexistence with animals, namely in metropolitan settings. Of course, this is a dream as far-fetched and implausible as world peace and fat-free ice cream that still tastes good. I would picture walking through the Washington Square Park, passing a couple of deer grazing by the street performers, ducks wading in the fountain, buffalo crossing the street, and packs of wild dogs begging homeless people for food. A world where for every cursing yuppie on a cell phone there would be three mocking birds breaking up the monotony with beautiful music. There is no room for any of that in Man's civilization, just more movies about CG dogs being mischievous.