A Man ... A Dog
I'll always wait for you ...
How many times have you heard that a dog is man's best friend? But, how many times have you heard a man is a dog's best friend? Most likely, you've never heard the latter statement.
What makes a dog man's best friend? Could it be because a dog is obedient, and subservient? Could it be because a dog is loyal and dedicated? Or, could it be because a dog loves with no boundaries? Actually, all and more, of these reasons describe the characteristics of a dog.
A dog will never leave the one he loves, even though he may be hungry, in pain, or lonely. No matter if it's the dead of night or a bright sunny afternoon, a dog will stay by his owner's side. Oh, his interest might include other distractions, as a child at play, a bouncing ball, or another's voice, but his devotion will be given to the one he loves.
A man, on the other hand, is known to be fickle in dedication and devotion. Man is rarely obedient or subservient. A man has definite ideas or limits within his feelings of love, and can rarely love without boundaries. If man experiences a broken heart, pain, or deceit most often he will turn his back and walk away from the one that has hurt him.
The dog may suffer needlessly at the hands of his owner and be fearful of what will happen the next time this person reaches or walks toward him. But, this same dog will never leave the one he loves. A dog will continue to watch for his person, wait through cold and heat just to hear his voice or get a pat on the head. He would endure hunger, pain, and loneliness just to be by his owner's side.
Quite often man considers his own comfort before his pet. Thoughts of the loyal, devoted pet are often second, third or even last on man's priority list. And, too many times, an abused pet has only the abuser to depend on. How cruel and inhuman man can be.
Man has a tenancy to ooh and ahh over puppies. They cuddle and give them much attention. Then, all too often, once they've grown beyond the puppy stage of life, many are moved outside the house and tied to a wooden shelter. They rarely feel the warmth of a hug, or enjoy a game of fetch anymore. What did they do wrong? Nothing! The novelty has worn old, and the owner's interests have taken another direction.
The dog that was tended to, played with, and petted often is now on the outside looking in. Do they wonder what they did wrong? Do they understand that man's interests come and go like the wind? Do they know they were a novelty, at the time, but now have been sentenced to a life behind the house, back there in the shadows?
But, the dog will continue to watch and wait for those brief seconds when you come to give water and food. He watches you walk away, close the door, and settle down in your favorite chair for the night. He accepts what he is given, but if only he had the chance, he'd give back.
You are this dog's whole world, and he loves you. He will go on loving you until his last breath. A friend to man he is, but who is his best friend?
If a dog is man's best friend, who or what considers man to be their best friend?
