the cost of freedom
Dogs
were once free, in the spirits
of the wolves, roaming and hunting.
Domesticated
around the 10,000s BC.
by our hunter-gatherer ancestors
with whom they shared their habitat
and may have hunted the same prey for food.
Was it the promise of food
that first made them let a man
to put a collar around their necks?
The eternal symbol of bondage and slavery?
When they strain at their leash,
do they resent or regret their lost freedom?
Ruff,
my blogging companion,
when he sits on my chest,
with his paws on either side of my neck,
hugging, and licking my face in a friendly earnest
I cannot but help recognise him as my friend, then I am no master.
Everynight, when he goes to sleep,
safe inside the house, I will take his collar off.
At least, I know, in his sleep, in his dreams, he will be free.
Last night, I was late,
when I went to check him
he was fast asleep on the sofa.
Didn’t move a whisker when I sat next to him, or gave him a pat.
I slipped his collar off,
in his deep sleep did he feel his freedom?
For as I took off the collar, without moving in his sleep,
his tail gently thumped on the sofa, twice and then a once
and then he was asleep again, dreaming of running free and wild again,…perhaps.
Does he put a cost to his freedom? Must be priceless.
dogs
pets
freedom
life
Ruff
earthpal said this on June 29th, 2007 at 15:13
Good questions. How, when or why did we first tame the animals that became our pets? Horses once ran free too. Now they are our servants. I wonder how many wild horses remain?
This is a beautiful post Little Indian. And a lovely tribute to your beloved companion. You are perceptively aware of his free spirit within. And, he is just so cute.
ClapSo said this on June 30th, 2007 at 05:31
You might read a book I read in school when I was a kid. It’s titled “call of the wild.” Your wonderful poem reminds me of that fine book.
The scientifically impossible I do right away
The spiritually miraculous takes a bit longer
little indian said this on June 30th, 2007 at 13:22
Thanks for stopping by, Clapso
I do not remember having read that book.
(But then, childhood was many aeons ago 🙂 )
But I will try and get it, even if to read again.
bendtherulz said this on July 2nd, 2007 at 06:30
Deviation from your post –
Why you have to put a collar, when he stays at home…??? Over here..we do not put any collar except when we take them out for a walk…..can’t you do the same….???
bendtherulz said this on July 2nd, 2007 at 06:33
Quite strange I wanted to check on Ruf – and today i see this post…u r lucky – he is super cute… 🙂
little indian said this on July 2nd, 2007 at 09:41
Thanks bendtherulz,
I will tell Ruff, you were enquiring.
(I seem to talk more and more to him these days)
He is a ‘terrier’, another nomad by nature
and is always looking for ways to go exploring the world.
He has his ID/tel no: on a disc on his collar, just in case.
Loves his freedom, 🙂