Gina at Dogma, a pet writer whose blog I very much enjoy, posted yesterday on the subject of unconditional love. While I believe that dogs are capable of experiencing love, and I think that the majority of dogs develop bonds of love easily, I’m not in 100% agreement with her claim that dogs love unconditionally. It seems pretty clear to me that there are strings attached. Surely no one expects a dog whose owner mistreats him to unconditionally love his abuser?
For example: My own dog’s love is intertwined with her ability to trust. She does not trust many people, but those she does, she loves and would walk over hot coals to be with. But break her trust, and the love will disappear, as well. For Harriet, things like fairness and consistency are major components in the trust-love equation. She is bewildered by inconsistent treatment, and reacts by withdrawing and shutting down. She cools toward the person who breaks her trust and it can take a long time to rebuild it. “Fool me once…” she says. There are lots of strings attached to Miss Brown’s love, but that’s okay. Part of the bargain we struck was that I would be the one supplying the unconditional love and light refreshments. She just needs to bring the entertainment.
red paper boat 