Pups are People Too

I grew up catholic, and in the church the only ones that have the luxury of owning an immortal soul are humans. I studied psychology, and so far the only ones with a proven complex communication systems, and intricate emotions are... I bet you guessed-- humans! 

Well, not to offend any religious people[s], or psychology gurus, but honey, that's bull shiet. Not to mention a little conceited and self-centered. 

When my brand new white boxer puppy was about 9 weeks old she decided to snack on my brand new white computer cord that I had just gotten the day before for the "modest" price of $180, I felt a sudden rage. I'll just say that I was so angry when I disciplined her I had to go back to her a few minutes later to, literally, apologize. Yes, to a dog. She was scared out of her puppy mind shaking under that coffee table in the living room. That was her favorite spot on earth to play, and now her safe haven. She tried to hide and refused to come out when I tried to get her. Man, it broke my heart. I sat down on the floor in front of the table and lowered my voice. I looked at her trembling little chubby body and her huge frightened puppy eyes, and told her that mommy wasn't angry. Mommy was actually extremely sorry, and she loved her so very much. She stayed there looking at me in fear. With a heavy knot in my stomach I thought I had scared her for life, and now she was gonna hate me forever. This made me feel so terrible I wanted to cry.  There was a pause. Slowly she came out from under the table, walked a few clumsy steps, and buried her little face in between my ribs and my arm. I swear to Mother Nature and all the parallel universes that she was saying something like "I'm sorry mommy".

I don't know exactly what it was about that moment but a tingling warm sensation spread from her minuscule soft body to my heart. I promised her out loud that I would never ever ever be mean to her again, and that I loved her with all I had. I kissed her deliciously cute flappy cheeks, and cuddled her while she bit my thumbs (her favorite chew toy when she was teething). I understood I was as responsible for her mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing as I would be for the wellbeing of any human children I could have in the future. In that moment I realized, without any doubt, that I knew something that some catholic priests or Harvard graduated doctors did not know. 

Now, let me tell you something. If this little puppy of mine did not have a soul, complex emotion, or a communication system I am the king of France.

Just saying.

PS: I truly honestly believe, with most absolute conviction, that this does NOT pertain only to dogs. I believe that anything that was once born, exists, and will one day die owns its own exceptional soul, intricate set of emotions, and communicates with its surroundings. (Except maybe for cats, who are the evil minions from the underworld)