Relational, Phenomenological Animalism

Sorry for my extended absence... I have some good thoughts to get out in the coming month or so ... here is a quick tidbit

Buber illustrates eloquently the allowance of an other to be, as they are fully, freely, and recognized as a distinct and whole entity. He contrasts this well with “reflexion,” the tendency to merely acknowledge one’s existence as “part of myself.” That is, one’s worth becomes measured and determined solely through an individual’s use to the other person. The being is not worthy simply as a consequence of living; rather, one approaches in a “what use are you to me” manner. In any case, I recognize well the struggle to not consider others in such a way. Generally enfolded into the umbrella of selfishness, it remains easy (or lazy) to consider another’s worth to myself; effortful is the intention of allowing the whole of an other as is.

My relational situations with animals yields an interesting example of the above. My girlfriend and I have a dog, actually it is her dog, Steve. He is a very small, all-black Yorkie. Admittedly, my affection toward him has grown intensely and immeasurably. I love him dearly. Growing up, a dog was ever-present in the household. That is, I always felt I “knew” dogs pretty well. As my own existential journey and accompanying questions grow, however, so do my existential considerations toward animals. That is, I wonder of what they think. Do they wonder of their plight, their mortality, their forced submission to humans? With this increasingly on my mind, I am about walking Steve, an extremely loving and nervous creature, with my girlfriend’s sister in tow, visiting from out of town.

She views Steve’s “poor” and “undisciplined” behavior, such as walking around corners before his master and running quickly to the end of his leash, and begins to offer advice. “He is handling you,” she exclaims. “You have to show him you are the leader of the pack.” At one point in my life, I may have heeded such offerings, continuing to behaviorally modify my animals. As I continue to envision animal’s existential throwness, including attempts at sympathetically imagining myself in similar facticities, I can become saddened, at the leash constricting their movement and at the walls surrounding their existence. In essence, while I treasure their presence and its benefits to me, I increasingly experience a deep remorse regarding my own hand in their captivity. In essence, I am saddened by their lack of freedom. Therefore, when inviting advice from the future sister-in-law, I felt dissent. Compliance from the other (in this case, little Steve) no longer exists as my goal. No longer is the aim to solely possess him for gain. Within his terribly constricted existence, which I do believe he enjoys with me at times, can I offer him additional freedoms? Indeed, sometimes when he pulls at the leash so hard I become annoyed. More frequently, though, if I run with him when he does this, simulating a freedom-from-leash-ed-ness, I smile and laugh at his delightful and joy-filled run. Increasingly, when safe, I let him off the leash and walk with him.