Barking Mad
Sane dogs mad artist
IF ONLY DOGS COULD TALK
Butch (Mixed breed)
This morning you were speaking about “evil”, what is evil, Master?
Fred (Owner)
Oh- well, evil is something bad.
Butch
Yesterday you said I was bad for digging in the flowerbed. Am I evil, Master?
Fred
No, just a little naughty. Anyway it’s in your nature to dig. You don’t know any better.
Butch
Why don’t I know any better, Master?
Fred
Because you are a dog- you are not sentient. Only humans are sentient because we happen to be superior beings.
Butch
What is “sentient”, Master?
Fred
Well, it is the ability to reason-to tell the difference between good and evil. For instance, I have taught you to be a good dog.
Butch
I obey your commands, Master (most of the time).
Fred
Yes, but you cannot tell whether they are good or bad commands because you cannot reason you just accept my teaching. You are a good dog, Butch.
Butch
Are there any sentient animals, Master?
Fred
No, Butch, animals will obey only there natures unless we can teach them otherwise.
Butch
The way you taught me, Master?
Fred
Yes, because I am not only human but am also your pack leader and I take care of you. Some animals do not have pack leaders even of their own kind. Others, like wolves, do.
Butch
It must be hard sometimes, Master. How do they manage to stay alive?
Fred
By their own natural instincts, that’s the proper way for them, they don’t know how to behave differently. Nature takes care of it all.
Butch
So no animal is can actually CHOOSE to be evil, Master?
Fred
Of course not-that is what I’ve been trying to explain. Only huma..a.a..
Butch (to himself)
I love you, Master. Master why are you weeping?
© Ann Shuttleworth
