TDI Testing....... - Page 5

Louise, difficult to phrase this, but we’re speaking here of an indefinable, nourishing ‘spiritual exchange’ or unspoken bond/compassion between two living, warm-blooded creatures – each with their own unique empathy and needs; you know all this. How could such a thing possibly be replaced by some sterile mechanical toy – no matter how cleverly programmed? And how might you possibly have praised (and lamented?) your “wonderful old friend” had he been just another piece of tinny overprized junk or silly rock? Why do we love our animals at all?! Or why do you battle against A/R fanatics? In fact, nothing or nobody probably advertises my point better than you yourself! Aesthetically pleasing or butt ugly has scarce bearing on any it. Of course it needn’t be a GSD – dolphin would be good too! Besides, beauty is in the eyes of … A dog of mine had a go at what I thought were two of the ugliest mongrels I’d seen in ages. Met the owner dears and husbands the next day and one thing became crystal clear: they all loved those mutts with a vengeance. Whereas our obsession with clubs, rules, pedigrees, breeding, Standard, conformation, schutzhund and what else, means nothing to them – how utterly refreshing! And above all, we should be praising Shepherd Woman for selflessly troubling to take this on; the patients she visits will undoubtedly feel the same. (I think I may turn preacher in my next life!)