Today started like any other day; Get up, yawn, scratch myself (come on, you know most of you do this), attempt to get out of bed. Two attempts today; must be getting old. I look over at my dog, a six-year old Cairn Terrier, and smile. She’s been with me since I bought her at twelve weeks old from a pet store. I know, you’re just supporting puppy mills when you do that, but, she was slated to be put down and I couldn’t let that happen. Anyhoo.

She notices me rousing and pounces on me, tail wagging, like she has always done; it’s our daily ritual. We sniff each other’s faces and I laugh at that little tail of hers wagging overtime. Ah, pure, unadulterated joy.

“How are you this morning, my little girl?” I ask, rubbing her offered belly. She peers up at me in a semi-trance.

“I’m quite fine this day; how are you?” She answers.

Huh? I shake it off, thinking that I just put the voice to her greeting. She continues to stare off into space, clearly enjoying the belly rub.

“I can’t complain; it’s a beautiful day out there.” I laugh. She chuckles. What?! She chuckles?! Look, I didn’t have anything to drink last night. I did NOT just see and hear my little dog laugh!

“That’s good, and yes; it is a beautiful day outside. It always is.” The smile on her face is one of pure contentment. Um, I can wake up any time now, really. She wiggles out of my expert rub, stands up and glances up into my face.

“Um, yes? Is there something I can do for you?” I’ve always asked her this, and for her part, she would ‘let’ me know what she wanted by her leading me to this or that.

“Actually, there is, my Human friend. Would you mind answering some questions for me?” Shocked; yeah, that would be a good word to express my current state. “But first, I need to take care of my bodily functions, if you don’t mind.” She stands there patiently waiting for my astonishment to abate somewhat.

“I take it a lead won’t really be necessary then.” I struggle to adapt to this new development. She shakes her head.

“Nah; I won’t try to run away from you. I love you, silly.” She grins. My little girl, the dog; telling me she loves me. I can’t help but be affected by that. I get up from bed and she dutifully follows me.

I sneak a glimpse at her as she walks side-by-side with me down the stairs and out to the kitchen. I open the door to the expansive backyard and she steps out, with me following her this time. What a little cutie she is!

My back yard is fenced in, so I’ve never had to worry about any escapes. She runs with wild abandon all over the freshly-cut grass, searching for a place to, um, become one with nature. After dispensing with that morning ceremony, she trots merrily back towards me, her tiny pink tongue sticking out of her mouth.

When she comes to within ten feet of me I call out to her.

“Ready for breakfast now, honey?” She makes a beeline for the back door. I measure a leisurely pace towards the same destination. Once inside, I prepare a bowl of her chow and freshen up the water bowl. The meal doesn’t see the light of day very long. A liberal lapping of water finishes off the offering, followed by a barn-clearing burp. That’s my girl!

Little Miss Independent saunters off into the living room where she imperiously jumps up into her favorite chair and awaits my arrival. I settle in to an adjacent chair and continue the conversation.

“So, what would you like to talk about?” I begin. She hesitates a few moments, still licking her chops.

“Hmm, where to start?” She ponders her next statement. Ponders?! This is unbelievably unbelievable! I wait with baited breath.

“Well, for starters, why are you Humans so violent? You’ve already established dominion over all other species of our world. What more do you want?” The expression on her face was that of intense sorrow. My heart drops. I sigh heavily. There is no good, rational answer to those questions. I consider my response.

“Power, greed, lust; I’d have to say that about sums it up.” I reply, thoroughly ashamed. She looks downward.

“That says everything and means nothing. Haven’t we lower life forms, as you ‘People’ so conveniently label us, taught you anything by example?” She pauses, waiting for the query to catch up with me.

“Isn’t unconditional love and coexistence a more rational way than the method by which you conduct your ‘Intelligent’ continuation?” I get the feeling Humanity is being put on trial here.

“A great number of us wish for nothing but peaceful coexistence, my friend.” I sheepishly answer, not entirely convinced of my own belief.

“I’d like to believe that, my Human friend, but even you have traits that make you a dangerous being. You love me and your family and friends, yes; but those you consider strangers, you would not always willingly help. We animals live in a harsh environment and yes, sometimes we prey on one another, but for the purpose of basic survival. We do not find enjoyment in another’s demise.” Her empathy towards my deepening sadness causes her to stop for a few minutes. This is difficult being chastised by my own dog.

“We do the best we can to govern our passions and maintain a state of Civility. We are not perfect, but deep down, we are a noble species. We just haven’t found that certain way of life that is beneficial to all.” This is all I’ve got my little canine.

“Civility is a very thin veneer which barely masks your savageness. You are all much closer to extinction than you realize.” I’m not liking that last sentence, Toto.

“What do you mean?” I reply tersely.

“This world, Gaia, was meant for all of us, and your kind is upsetting the balance in a very perilous way. The others of this world are nearing the end of their tolerance for your reckless, irresponsible behavior. I say these things because we canines were assigned to keep you on a forward, progressive path lead by our unconditional love and loyalty; yet you’ve made us into pets; performing tricks and looking cute for your entertainment. This we have endured for millenia in the hope that someday you will all learn from our example.” Her following sigh is heart-rending.

“Alas, we feel that we have failed. Homo Sapiens has ultimately proven it is not worthy of the right of controlling intelligence of Gaia. I love you, friend; which makes this news all the more difficult.” She trails off silently, just above a whisper.

“What? What news?” The lump in my throat is boulder-sized and starting to affect my breathing. The tears come easily and don’t stop, blurring my vision.

Mmm, sleep was good last Darkness. Hunger is in my belly; must get food. I will round up a party to travel to the outer areas of the towns of the Long-nosed Ones. Maybe there will be some food scraps for us there again. The Long-nosed Ones like us, and we like them. I will bring home food for my mate and offspring again today; I can just sense it.

These Long-nosed Ones do very nice things for us, but don’t seem to want us to be with them. I don’t understand this, but as long as they take care of us, we will do nice things for them too. We will build more living huts for them and farm their fields. They give us some of the food from it. So nice, these Ones. The others are not so nice, but the Long-nosed ones are our protectors. We will honor our protectors.

Hmm, food, I am so hungry; must get food. I will round up a party to travel to the outer areas of the towns of the Long-nosed ones.