They say that dogs are the ultimate Buddhists, non judgemental, living entirely in the moment, as if it was their last.
It's interesting to observe the prejudices of people when I walk my son's dog. People fall into two camps; those that see her as the dog of the underclass and those who thankfully can see beyond that. I see some people edge away as if I'm walking a tiger down the road and others who put out their hands to pet her. I also see people who are confused by what they see, a middle aged woman walking what looks traditionally like a bit of a geezer's dog. The kind of dog who usually has an adolescent male on the other end of the lead looking hard. The prejudice against this breed of dog is reaching almost hysterical proportions but properly trained, exercised and well looked after they make brilliant and very loving pets. It's a tragedy that so many are euthanised, abandoned and in shelters awaiting re-homing because of irresponsible and often cruel owners. Any animal which is abused or treated badly will be mistrustful of people and will act aggressively. I see it as a privilege and a huge responsibility to have a dog, not a right. So let's hear it for the canine Buddhists.
