We gave the dog the chew toy when we got home. He went apeshit! Slobberdog definitely loves chewy things that make strange noises. He was running around the apartment, chewing the toy, dropping it and picking it back up, and taunting us with it.
As I sat on my bed looking at him, I got to thinking how my dog has got it made. And I realized that he lives better than most people on earth. Devon gets good food (and never misses a meal), top-notch medical (er.. veterinary) care, shelter, a soft and cushy bed, toys galore, supervised playcare, and regular visits to the groomer. He gets lots of love, playtime with other dogs at the nearby dog park, daily walks, and evenings on the couch in front of the TV. On top of that he gets humans to pick up after him when he poops!
Such is the disparity of the standard of living in the developed world and the poor in the third world. Forget medical care, toys, or cushy beds; the poorest of the poor don't even know where their next meal will come from. Billions of people have to work so hard each and every day just to survive, while over here Sheddy von Stinkelstein - a dog - is living the pampered life.
Devon on his bed with "cousin" Sammie (my brother's dog)Do I feel guilty? No, not in the least. But thinking about this does give me pause.
And it feels a little bit weird.