The Ghost of the Little Brown Dog

Or “How People Learned to Start Caring and Love the Animals”

(Author’s Disclaimer: I am very tired. This blog entry probably makes no sense. However, in the spirit of pretentious writers past, I make no apologies.)

Once upon a time there was a Little Brown Dog. He was a rather unremarkable creature, appearing to be some strange mixture of terrier and a sodden mop. However, there was a certain endearing quality to his mysterious lineage. Sadly, nothing was enough to endear him to the individual who plucked him off the streets and donated him to a London medical college for use in vivisection. As the Little Brown Dog endured the painful medical experiments, he thought to himself, “Why do these humans treat me like an automaton? Do they not hear my cries? Do they not realize I can feel pain and fear?”

Eventually, the Little Brown Dog passed away at the hands of his tormentors, though his story didn’t end. Soon, he found himself floating above the London streets, a silent and invisible observer of the mistreatment of carriage horses. “Us animals,” he thought to himself, “Can’t be held responsible for our actions. We don’t quite have the capacity to judge them morally right or wrong. But humans…” The ghost of the little brow dog sighed. “They know better. They have a responsibility to act morally responsibly towards less cognitive creatures like animals.” Just as the Little Brown Dog was giving up hope, he saw a compassionate man step out to help the abused carriage horse. “Perhaps there is hope after all,” thought the dog. “I should continue to watch humans and see what they do.”

Years passed, and the Little Brown Dog silently observed London. He saw great cruelty done to his fellow animals, but he also saw great kindness. “Some humans,” he thought, “Really do have compassion. They seek to feel empathy towards their fellow creatures.” More time passed and the ghost of the Little Brown Dog witnessed the birth of the first humane society. “I wonder,” he thought, “If humans and animals are connecting elsewhere.” So, the canine ghost traveled through space and time to reach the U.S., for it’s within ghosts’ powers to do so.

Upon reaching the U.S., the Little Brown Dog was sad to see the country less progressive than England. “I’m sure,” he thought, “There are good people here as well. If I wait long enough, maybe they too will attempt to help the animals.” Eventually, the Little Brown Dog settled in the city of Philadelphia, where there were many other ghosts of history past. More years passed, and the little ghost saw many changes. The PSPCA was formed as the second human society in the U.S. and the humane movement gradually spread. “This is good,” thought the little dog.

Yet more time went by, though it seemed very short to the Little Brown Dog. After all, ghosts see the world much differently from living creatures. He watched as the humane movement joined the fight for women’s rights and desegregation. “They see it now!” thought the dog, “Humans and animals are not so very different after all!” As time moved forward, the little ghost saw other changes. People were moving beyond the utilitarian approach to animal welfare and examining the very nature of animal consciousness. “We do think, and we do feel,” thought the Little Brown Dog. “We deserve rights as much as any disenfranchised human.”

Still, some things continued to make the Little Brown Dog sad. Many dogs were still seen as objects, and discarded accordingly. “But,” thought the ghost, “For every cruel human, there are many kind individuals. People are willing to walk those supposedly discarded dogs and show them affection. The same people spread awareness about the plight of animals.” He nodded happily. “Change is slow, but it’s happening. So long as there are people willing to learn, and willing to teach, there is hope.”

So, the Little Brown Dog continues to watch the world, quietly observing the relationship between humans and animals. He sees young women following in the footsteps of those who came before them, leading the fight for animal welfare and rights. “Empathy and communication, those are sorely needed,” agrees the dog. Though he may be gone from sight, the spirit of the Little Brown Dog continues to embody the Animals Rights Movement.