Worldly Wisdom Wednesday – Nature’s Rules?
Posted By Randy on November 21, 2012
Early in the present century, while Mrs. LFM was finishing her last year of University, we rented an apartment in Halifax near the Dalhousie campus. In the neighbourhood lived a woman who was regularly encountered walking her Dog, off lead, on sidewalks that lay adjacent to busy city streets. The Dog never strayed from being in a perfect on the left, shoulders even with handler’s legs, position, and never looked right or left. Neither did it make any kind of eye contact with the woman, and nothing that happened around it was ever seen to break the spell. It was an automaton that just looked like a Dog, and while the woman appeared content, there was no detectable joy in the relationship for either of them.
We’ll never know for sure what methods were employed to kill the Spirit of a Dog to the degree necessary to convert it into a piece of walking furniture – although it had the earmarks of electric shock collar aversive “training” written all over it – but the Dog in question had clearly learned that its only hope of happiness lay within very narrow and strictly enforced limits of behaviour. The animal called Dog simply didn’t live there any more, in a manner I find reminds me of what I’ve read describing the assimilation philosophy underlying the Canadian Indian Residential School system – “Kill the Indian in the child.”
For kids, Dogs, or any other creature in Nature, this is not in accordance with the Way of the Wild, nor with any definition of morality we want anything to do with beyond rooting it out and tearing it to shreds, and all this leads me to introduce an excellent article supporting my argument that the road to Dog hell is paved with human misconceptions. Nature is, at once, infinitely complex and wondrously simple. Her complexity should not concern you because you are part of it. Her simplicity is where you live every day, and in that you should celebrate your good fortune because you share it with some beautiful things, like Dogs.
The article of which I speak was written by Silvia Jay; deservedly respected Dog behaviour consultant, and tenured member of our extremely short list of Esteemed Friends. I might add that she dislikes poetry in general, and yet LOVES mine, but that would be stooping to a level of self aggrandizement that might divert attention from the matter at hand. Suffice it to say that when Silvia talks about Dogs, or anything else for that matter, you would be well advised to put your tail in a neutral position, shut the hell up, and listen.
Published on 12 November 2012 to her blog, and titled Nature’s Punishments, Silvia’s article highlights the pitfalls that come when Nature’s simplicity is exploited and trivialized. “Simple” and “trivial” are not equals, so don’t go making vast plans with half-vast ideas.
Now get thee hence, and read Silvia’s article here.
Way back then I knew almost nothing about dogs, and I was actually impressed with what a "good dog" that woman had! I wanted to know how to accomplish such perfect control and devotion.
I've come a long way since then, learned a lot, and have so much more to learn, but I can say with certainty that I will NEVER desire a robotic dog again. I don't care about perfect obedience, I care about a relationship that is built on trust and respect. From BOTH sides. I want my dogs to be with me and do what I ask because they WANT to, because it's FUN, not because they are forced into it or will suffer the consequences.
Excellent post, highlighting another excellent post.
Excellent post, Randy – perhaps the best you ever writ because it talks about me and dogs. “Put your tail in neutral, shut up and listen” I should tattoo on my forehead.
In seriousness, thank you for your kind words. I am humbled. And yes, Diana, such canine automatons treated as utilities are typically misconstrued as well behaved by a general public, and I believe the reason why trainers like the shock collar types get clients.
If they could only know what true companionship looks like.
[…] to an article published today by our Esteemed Friend Silvia Jay to her Mindful Leadership blog. We’ve referred to and quoted Silvia’s Wisdom before, she often honours us with her insights, and both Mrs. LFM and I feel this latest piece to be […]