September 16, 2010

White Dog and Quinn came home from the groomer this afternoon looking (and feeling) like soft static charged marshmallows. They were fresh and smelled god but were glad to be home. Quinn immediately emptied his food bowl, stood as he was admired and then went for a nap. White Dog was in the mood to cuddle.

She lay on the arm of the chair as we concluded Watchers by Dean Koontz, about a Golden Retriever who was genetically engineered to be as smart as a human (and his counterpart, an experiment gone way wrong). One of the main questions of the ending is if scientists can endow such intellect, at what point is that "animal" entitled to freedom of choice and control of its own destiny. White Dog looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "That is a question that we will need to come to consensus on sooner than you think," I said, knowing of many experiments already being conducted in the arena of engineering brain power.

"Humans aren't ready to have that kind of moral discussion," WD chided. "You don't even allow many of your own kind that freedom and self determination today. If you can't keep from trying to strong arm those who are different into thinking your way or if you cannot stop wars meant suppress self determination, how will humans ever find the fairness and compassion to accept dogs with human thinking abilities as fellow guardians of the planet. You do not have a very good track record."

I hate when White Dog engages me in these discussions because her points are generally tough to argue, but..."Humans," I responded, "no doubt have a long way to go on our evolutionary journey to true balance and awareness. But we are not without progress. The fair and compassionate are rarely newsworthy so you might think they do not exist. They do...and in greater numbers than you admit. Think about, White One, you know so many examples right here in our own blog community."

"Yes," she agreed, "but this group is very special; they are not typical..." "No more typical than a Golden with a genius IQ!" I interrupted. "Change starts with just a small group of special people working to make a difference...and believing that Change will come."

White Dog turned and looked deep into my eyes, "Do you believe, momma?" "Yes, Baby Girl, with all my heart." "Then I do, too!"