the canine question

Freedom. Contrary to what the word means, I think the word has a different connotation that is exactly opposite to the meaning, one which means restriction. We are all free by definition, but are we really free? Probably its a bit easier for us intellectually superior beings called humans ,to understand what the word really means and what we should and should not do under this empowering word called "freedom". But think about the animal world, specifically the "pets" the we so dearly love and have them by our side always. Are they free? Do they know whether they are free?

Watching two dogs on one day in different circumstances triggered a doubt in me as to what this word "freedom" would mean to each of the dogs.

The first of them was traveling in the rear of an air-conditioned car, sticking his head out of the window, wearing a dreary look on its face. One look at it and you would feel it is missing something. Is it freedom? But think about it, and the comforts it is enjoying, probably not even the upper middle class human can afford. But is it really free? Does it want to jump out of the window, hunt for its food, eat his hard-earned meal rather than eat artificial dog food fed to it every 6 hours. Is it happy being in the car? Probably yes. Is it free? Does it want to be? Only the dog can tell.

The second, a street dog, again with a dreary look on its face, this time looking out for some generous human who can give it some food. Is it happy? Not so much I would say, it doesn't know what its next meal is going to be and when. Is it free? It definitely is freer than the earlier one. Yes, it can hunt at its own times and for food that it wants. Sleep in its own time at any place it wants, be it right in the middle of the road under the shade of a tree. Freedom? Totally. But the very next moment a rash auto driver runs over its leg and it squeals in pain and runs amok as far away as it can. Is it happy being free? No. Does it want to be in the air-conditioned car, in return for the freedom? Only the dog can tell.

Never having reared a dog, I am not sure if these canines have a sense of freedom and whether they have a preference to have it or not, but what impresses me is their loyalty. They are loyal when they are free, and even more when they are tied up. One quality worth learning.

If only these canines could speak..