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Wars and ConflictsΒ  permalink

The Covenant.

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by expat32 (U2025313) on Sunday, 27th November 2005

  Hi,
  
  Many years ago our ancient ancestors made a covenant with Canines. We will breed out your wild instincts. You can’t survive in the wild anymore. You will live with us humans, and you will hunt with us, protect us and our property, and you will be our companions. You will be always subordinate to us and forever dependant on us. In exchange for this I promise to feed you, give you shelter, heal you when you’re sick, and care for you when you’re old.
  
  This symbiotic partnership helped the two species to survive. Dogs have worked as, war dog, guard dog, rescue dog, sled dog, therapy dog, Seeing Eye dog, Police Dog, and more. They continue to honor their part of the Canine Covenant.
  
  We humans have taken many animals to war with us. Everything from Elephants to Carrier Pigeons. Many of them have died horrible deaths doing so. Many of them have saved human lives. The United States Army used more than 4,000 war dogs in Vietnam between 1964 and 1975. Around 200 left Vietnam after the war. Some were turned over to the South Vietnamese Army. Most were euthanized. When word of this got out, many Veterans were outraged. Canine Monuments and memorials were built in memory of their faithful service. This was privately funded by our veterans.
  
  
  Do humans honor their end of the Canine Covenant? Do we have any right to have animals participate in this unending compulsion we have to slaughter each other? Your comments please.
  
  Cheerz.
  

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by TonyG (U1830405) on Sunday, 27th November 2005

  Interesting as ever, expat. The only problem with this Covenant you have outlined is that I suspect you have idealised man's original intentions. Man has always treated naimals as, well, animals. We tend them and use them for what suits our purposes best, usually as food or as beasts of burden. The dog does have a rather different status, but that is just a feature of its abilities.
  
  Man has always used whatever resources are avilable with little thought for anything other than than our own goals. I am speaking generally here, I know a lot of individuals claim to regard animals as more than just beasts. However, why keep dogs (or any other animal come to that) as a household pet? Is this not very selfish?
  
  Seeing eye dogs are wonderful, but do the dogs themselves live a "natural" life? Sniffer dogs are a great help in tracing drugs, but the training makes junkies of them. Is this right? Morally, probably not, but Man has always used animals thus.
  
  Going back some centuries, one of the worst examples is the way the ancient armies tried to deter opponents who had elephants. Take a few pigs and set fire to them, forcing them to run in panic and terror towards the elephants who panicked in turn. I suppose this not only won battles, but also helped make breakfast for the troops as there would be plenty of freshly cooked bacon lying around.
  
  

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by expat32 (U2025313) on Sunday, 27th November 2005

  <quote user='TonyG' userid='1830405'>Interesting as ever, expat. The only problem with this Covenant you have outlined is that I suspect you have idealised man's original intentions. Man has always treated naimals as, well, animals. We tend them and use them for what suits our purposes best, usually as food or as beasts of burden. The dog does have a rather different status, but that is just a feature of its abilities.</quote>
  
  Hi Tony,
  A very thoughtful post from you as usual. I pretty much agree with your above paragraph, but Dogs are the only animal that we have used or domesticated that has at least initially removed itself from its ability to take care of itself. That stepped out of the regular species if you will, they are no longer or have the ability of Wolves.
  
  <quote>Man has always used whatever resources are avilable with little thought for anything other than than our own goals. I am speaking generally here, I know a lot of individuals claim to regard animals as more than just beasts. However, why keep dogs (or any other animal come to that) as a household pet? Is this not very selfish?</quote>
  
  Well a dog that is a household pet also has multiple functions. It will protect its/your property by barking or attack. They are companions like no other, not even a horse.
  
  <quote>Seeing eye dogs are wonderful, but do the dogs themselves live a "natural" life? </quote>
  
  They live a natural life for what they know. To me a natural life would be hunting or fishing all day, but we all have responsibilities.
  
  
  <quote> Sniffer dogs are a great help in tracing drugs, but the training makes junkies of them. Is this right? Morally, probably not, but Man has always used animals thus.</quote>
  
  Actually they are not. They're trained that if they sniff out contraband or whatever they get a reward. A treat. Made a fuss of, or some playtime. I do however understand your point.
  
  </quote>
  
  Cheerz.

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