I loved/love animals. To be precise, I just don't see them lesser than the human race. I learnt some of the finest lessons from the many associations I had throughout my life. I just could not understand why people felt it bad and unclean if you shared food with a pet. Sometimes doggy food is yummy, as long as the dog has a generous heart. It is only the human race that mercilessly hits your little instinct driven hands. Generous dogs supplement your post lunch pangs...experience speaks ...
and they teach you that beyond artificial table etiquette there exists a natural self.I have shared very meaningful bonds with many animals, and what I opine from my encounters is they have a finer sense of life than the breed I belong to. They don't betray, they understand your world better, they don't define you by your grades or ranks more than they would by civility. At home, people just did not understand why I was always found with stray animals. One of my cousins told me "One day you too will end up with a tail and paws" and as I imagined me so,I thought it better than a sari clad, flowery, templegoing, ritualistic meaningless din...
I used to pick up stray kittens, stray puppies, wild squirrels, owls, rabbits, abandoned dogs and inspite of all forms of reprimand I never stopped. My cousins and sibling branded me crazy but then I didn't know what made them so lifeless within as to miss such meaningful gestures. My people snorted in laughter when I recognized the depth of peace in the buffalo's eyes. I still remember the calm, unflustered way the buffalo perceived the world ...
I saw it every evening from the school bus on my way back home and I think stoicism was born in buffaloes before it did in some of my breed. They laughed at me when I felt they missed the sweetness in the donkey's tone .
and they teach you that beyond artificial table etiquette there exists a natural self.I have shared very meaningful bonds with many animals, and what I opine from my encounters is they have a finer sense of life than the breed I belong to. They don't betray, they understand your world better, they don't define you by your grades or ranks more than they would by civility. At home, people just did not understand why I was always found with stray animals. One of my cousins told me "One day you too will end up with a tail and paws" and as I imagined me so,I thought it better than a sari clad, flowery, templegoing, ritualistic meaningless din... I used to pick up stray kittens, stray puppies, wild squirrels, owls, rabbits, abandoned dogs and inspite of all forms of reprimand I never stopped. My cousins and sibling branded me crazy but then I didn't know what made them so lifeless within as to miss such meaningful gestures. My people snorted in laughter when I recognized the depth of peace in the buffalo's eyes. I still remember the calm, unflustered way the buffalo perceived the world ...I saw it every evening from the school bus on my way back home and I think stoicism was born in buffaloes before it did in some of my breed. They laughed at me when I felt they missed the sweetness in the donkey's tone .
True donkeys bray but then why is it most don't hear the sweetness in that braying.
I have always longed to kiss the cute snout 
of the piggy. You learn the art of being cool to life from pigs. And I know the civil loyalty with which stray kittens hang on 
while you take your share. Cats teach you to be loyal to those who are loyal to you. Dogs perhaps practise unconditional relationships.Dogs smile, I remember when going for evening walks with dad I would feel sad that Dad would refuse to smile at passing dogs. I would smile at the dog and the dog would smile at me. But since dad didn't smile enough, it would go its way.There is so much civility expressed in the friendly smile of a dog...
but most of my breed pass them by like trains. I always used to feel sad at how hurt the dog must be feeling inside to be ignored so for no valid reason. I would ask my dad for the umpteenth time"Accha please buy me a doggy" My dad knew to handle my head, he would say "I am still planning the kennel for the dog...are you sure you need two windows for it?" And there I would lose and start dreaming of the unmade kennel and the "unbought' dog will be pushed behind it. In fact I have taken dogs I never owned for walks, of course most walks happened inside my head 
well...er..since the kennel was still on its way .
of the piggy. You learn the art of being cool to life from pigs. And I know the civil loyalty with which stray kittens hang on while you take your share. Cats teach you to be loyal to those who are loyal to you. Dogs perhaps practise unconditional relationships.Dogs smile, I remember when going for evening walks with dad I would feel sad that Dad would refuse to smile at passing dogs. I would smile at the dog and the dog would smile at me. But since dad didn't smile enough, it would go its way.There is so much civility expressed in the friendly smile of a dog...
but most of my breed pass them by like trains. I always used to feel sad at how hurt the dog must be feeling inside to be ignored so for no valid reason. I would ask my dad for the umpteenth time"Accha please buy me a doggy" My dad knew to handle my head, he would say "I am still planning the kennel for the dog...are you sure you need two windows for it?" And there I would lose and start dreaming of the unmade kennel and the "unbought' dog will be pushed behind it. In fact I have taken dogs I never owned for walks, of course most walks happened inside my head well...er..since the kennel was still on its way .