What if unraveling the weave of the great basket is more than a metaphor? Having a dog shares characteristics of having children, of attending to a spouse, or caring for friends. It’s just that a dog has less qualms about telling someone to pay attention. A dog will not put on a false display of patient waiting. Whining, licking, nudging, pawing at me, she tells me to pay attention to her.
Other Unravelings
Job wants me to do more than attend to animals, but rather “ask the animals, and they will teach” something. If there’s a constant undoing to the end of all things from the myth about Kukumthena and the dog. Why is it that that myth emerged with the dog acting that way? Is there something about a dog’s loyalty that has a future orientation? That the future is not all written out and a closed book? That maybe there is an open future and God has more in store than I can ask or imagine?
It is more than dog beds and baskets that are unraveling. There are the overly disputed arguments about science and climate change, regardless the contested reasons, there is much unraveling there. Much to be repaired. There are arguments and divisions among people, nations, families, and friends. Much to be repaired.
Yet, “Ask the Animals and They Will Teach”
The mystic Matthew Fox always referred to his dog as his spiritual director. I get that. I have one too. I’d like it if my cat was as forthcoming as my dog, but he’s a bit aloof.
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