Names
Why would anyone call their dog "Betty"? And a Jack Russell at that. I heard someone call their little pet by that name the other day. Got me thinking. There's something about humans and our relationship with animals that compels us to give them a name. Cows, chickens, lizards, pigs. No pet is exempt, it seems. Perhpas it's because we recognise something in them that we want for ourselves but can't have, so naming them keeps them close. Maybe. In addition, naming them might give us some sort of imagined control. Like: 'You're name is Betty and that means you're just a little more special than the rest of the nameless wild creatures but you're also mine and that puts me in charge.' Dunno. Sounds a bit heavy. Or perhaps that's not it at all! Betty, the miniature poodle, tied to her owner by a lead. Pulled from time to time, albeit relatively gently, along a path that suits her human master. She resists for a moment and then trots alongside, ...
