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Thursday, January 15, 2009

The more one lives with dogs, the more one realizes their amazing qualities. Qualities, which if possessed by a human would raise them to dizzying heights. As Lord Byron recites in the following poem, such praise if bestowed on a human would have to be flattery, but when bestowed on a dog are fair tribute.

I believe it has mostly to do with ego. A dog doesn't connive and scheme at any level, and so there is very little scope for malice. Premeditated thought is what corrupts the noblest ideals of man, and it is precisely the lack of this that makes our dogs so appealing.


EPITAPH TO A DOG

Near this spot Are deposited the Remains
Of one Who Possessed Beauty
Without Vanity,Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferocity,
And all the Virtues of Man
Without his Vices.
This Praise, which would be unmeaning
flattery If inscribed over Human Ashes,
Is but a just tribute to the
Memory of "Boatswain," a Dog
Who was born at Newfoundland,
May, 1803,
And died at Newstead Abbey
Nov. 18, 1808.



--- Lord Byron ---

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