*Never owned one though so I don't know how necessary it is to act so distant from them.*

I've got three working dogs here and its not necessary. They've each
got their own bean bag by the fire and get lots of pats, but still
make great working dogs

There's been a lot of twee talk here about how pets "enrich our lives".

I'll leave aside the thought of how barren must be a life that needs the companionship of a dumb animal to justify it, and simply point out that all this self-indulgent warm-and-fuzziness is at the expense of the animal in question, which is in effect kept in slavery for its entire life.

To me it is one of the more puzzling aspects of human nature, that as a society we are quite happy to breed millions of animals each year, merely to buy and sell for our own amusement.

I for one consider it barbaric, and hope that one day we will simply grow out of it.

You know Pericles it's so interesting to me that you say that. I have often thought the same thing about keeping animals being something akin to slavery and all.

From another perspective, we could say that Arnold James lives the life of a little prince with me as his slave - except that I fully recognize the power differential between us. Of course I could choose to rid myself of the little prince and the burden of supporting his lazy ass at any time I wished. Similarly, I suppose that he could choose to wander off and make his own life elsewhere.

Anyway it seems to me that it depends on how we co-exist - whether the relationship is mutually beneficial. When Arnold James starts bringing me my coffee, I'll let you know that he has been dethroned and reduced to slave status afterall :)

Yabby I loved hearing about your doggies - that's great news. It always seemed to me that the working dogs kept in tough conditions seemed to long for some interaction with and warmth from their owners; I've never understood how they could withhold it.

My wife's family used to own a fox terrier called Fawkes,named after Guy Fawkes.He must of had an excellent pedigree since he strutted like a trotter over his domain and was very territorial.Too much courage and not enough diplomacy was his problem.He had this on going war with a German Sheppard called Brutus and Fawkes spent many an hour at the vet getting stitched up for his efforts.

One day he found a cream puff with legs that was his size.The poor woman who was walking this dog held cream puff above her head screaming,murder,murder!

They had a white budgy called Harold named after Harold Holt who escaped form his cage whilst being cleaned and Fawkes in a flash gulped Harold with only the tip of his tail feathers hanging out.I rushed in and prised Fawkes' jaws apart and Harold flew away and was captured a day later.

One day a film crew fancied him but he ended up on the cutting room floor in disgrace.On another occasion a drunk form the local RSL club swore that he'd give up the grog because he'd just seen a dog without a head.Fawkes had a black head and a black and white body and at night it did really appear thus.They were fun times.

<"Too much courage and not enough diplomacy was his problem"> <- Har har!! I recognize this! - and poor Harold! lmao - I once had a budgie named Charles. His partner was Bridget.

In Arnold's case I have also guessed that he doesn't perceive the relative difference in size between himself and other dogs, humans or whatever - he will just shape up to anything/one that he thinks poses a threat. One day while my son and I were walking him; a HUGE scary hound bounded out of nowhere to take us apart. Arnold, though on his lead, zoomed to take up the space between the terminator and us. It was only for a second that I saw the back of his little legs trembling with - fear, I guess; but he still bravely fronted. The hound backed down -amazingly.

Arjay and Yabby - wonderful memories. It's really fun to share them too. Thank you :)