Repair

I did spend some time treating diseases, most of them the result of domestication and a lifestyle that is not suitable for animals. Eventually, I came to realize the absurdity of making them sick on the one hand, and to go about treating them, on the other. Most of my patients were petrified, unable to understand the meaning of all these very traumatic manipulations. From the animal's point of view, each procedure could be considered as one more abuse. I finally realized that I was exploiting them even though my intentions were good. I often wondered who I was really pleasing.

Dogs are subject to more than 300 genetically-borne diseases a result of inbreeding (animal incest), consumerism and our aesthetic whims. One out of four purebred dogs and many mongrels are afflicted with one or more serious defects that will lead to its destruction. Many of the others will suffer silently all their lives from incurable, manmade problems.

We nurture tight bonds with our animals, which makes them extremely dependent and infantile. Yet many of us do not hesitate to leave a pet alone all day, often locked up in a cage. Depression, neurosis, phobias, chronic separation anxiety, and stress, are the lot of animals kept as pets. Usually these problems are caused by endless boredom, confinement, poor diet and lack of exercise.

Animals have innate characteristics that are not compatible with the lifestyle we impose on them for our own pleasure and comfort. For instance, dogs follow their instincts to fit into a certain position in a pack. Dominance comes naturally to some dogs, which is good in a dog pack, but usually undesirable in dog-human relationships. Most people have little understanding of the laws that govern dog behavior, and when conflicts arise, it is always the dog that loses in the end. This is but one example of the incompatibility of animals and people that causes life to be stressful for pets.