Dogs are not the species you would want to bank your life on; if you needed to carry out an intricate, multilayered plan in order to achieve riches, or save life and limb. There's some deficit in our ability to follow algorithms ( or to know what the heck an algorithm is in the first place).  As I've become more perceptive, and started reading human mystery stories, I've come to admire the human species ability to premeditate, enact and accomplish amazingly detailed blueprints in their efforts to attain certain goals. The fact that those goals are often somewhat "evil" ( at least in mystery stories), is somewhat disappointing but these novels are only fiction and don't reflect the realities of actual human existence.  Right?

When a dog wakes up in the morning, he seldom has a plan cooked up to help guide him through the day.  He remembers something about food arriving in the bowl, water being provided, and possibly heading outside for a spell.  Aside from that he doesn't have any meetings to get to, any conference calls noted on his cell phone, or any chores to attend to that might need to be accomplished.  This deficit in planning works to our advantage at times. There's plenty of time for naps, spontaneous bouts of running around the house, gnawing on bones and eating. We don't have to wait for any pre-arranged siesta time in order to catch a snooze, or any lunch break in our work day in order to chow down. Doggin it has its advantages.

I guess human children often get to experience this doglike state of nature during their summers off from school. They are able to devote their  day to socializing, eating, hiking and hijinks.  Alas this unplanned, natural state of animal grace often succumbs to parental organization and stratification of the young child's day.  Humans have that nagging obligation to "achieve" through work and practice. You're not happy just winging it.  It's what makes you great and accomplished, but sometimes what is gained in one direction is lost in another. No?

As a dog who has begun to get glimpses of what it is like to be human, I often find I want the best of both worlds.  I would like to spend certain days in idyllic animal ignorance.  Then their are other times when I would like to have the ability to plot, organize and implement elaborate rituals, that eventually lead to lavish steak dinners with delicious sides. (Hopefully not ala carte).  I think I might go down to the pond and get my gang of highly motivated dogs together.  We'll see if I can devise a plan to grow this motley crew of canine characters into a well disciplined corporate like creation; dedicated to the achievement of high goals and superior dining.  First of all, does the butcher keep his door locked at night?

Buffy
President
Buffy's Gang Inc.