Generally speaking(this dog excluded of course), the dog species, canis familiaris, has hit an evolutionary dead end when it comes to further development of our intellectual capabilities; as we're plaqued with relatively small brains, and an inability to pass down cultural memes and employ symbolic representations.  As a species we are known for our big hearts, our ability to empathize, to sense the emotions of our masters.  We seek to ameliorate any conflict situation they might be in. We respond as watchdogs, as soothers of frayed nerves, as sympathetic aspiring healers when illness occurs.  In general, we're quite a tremendous creation in our own right.  But to those of us in the know, self aware dogs; we wish we could grow more complex brains, and become more intelligent, perceptive  creatures,  like whales or dolphins.(or as a last resort, maybe like humans:)

I kid you humans.  Self reflective dogs are aware of the vast repository of knowledge your homo sapien brains hold.  We know you are "oh so smart" at times.  You probably don't realize it , that as you go about your business, and do the human type thing, we dogs are the objective observers there with you witnessing your lives, seeing  what you do in your private moments, seeing  how you look with your clothes off and no makeup on.  Humans, sometimes it isn't pretty! Fortunately we don't carry cell phone recorders and cameras, and don't post pictures on the internet.  At least that's true for most of us dogs.

Just jesting there Mr. and Ms. Universe.  Seriously though, although you are blessed with the ability to have Big Hearts AND Big Minds, for the most part many of you seem limited or at least conflicted in deploying both talents at the same time.  It seems that you are often polarized, that you seem to think that you have to choose between compassion and optimism on the one hand, and wisdom and realism on the other.  You end up choosing sides and often lose the truth in the process, or obfuscate it if you are aware of it.  It's not that we dogs are any better, but you humans are our heroes!  I know it's tough being up there on a pedestal, but it's your responsibility, your birthright, your heritage.  Suck it up humans!

There's a pull that I feel as a dog growing in wisdom, or at least hoping to grow in wisdom.  There's a pull towards the higher reaches of spirit, towards the One, towards a refining of my nature, a spirituality that's internal seeking the heights within.  At the same time there's a voice that whispers, don't leave behind the material world , multiplicity, lost souls, the poor, mutts. It speaks, "you belong to Agape as much as you do to Eros.  You don't have to choose between them, that's a false dichotomy.  With effort, with awareness, with purpose; you can look out at creation with an infinite wisdom and compassion, Big Mind and Big Heart."

I'm just a dog, and an old one at that.  Maybe it's a sentimentality, a foreboding, an inward searching that has me looking out at creation with such affection.
I hope you humans get to experience the heart of a dog someday.  It would be a revelation I'm sure. Good night people type animals.

Buffy
Sentimental Journeyer



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