Would I get a dog?

Most people who know me know that I love animals. I am more likely to coo over a puppy than I am a baby. That does not mean that I think that puppies, or animals generally, are better than people. It means that I think that animals have less potential to disappoint than people do. Cynical, I know, but I like to know what I'm dealing with.

"But BABIES!" I hear you say. "They're so innocent and cute!" I don't agree. They have as much capacity to do wrong as any other human, we are just more likely to forgive them on the basis of their cuteness; just as we accept people on the basis of how they look. Every being has intrinsic value because they are created by God regardless of whether they're blonde, brunette, old, young, pimply, wrinkly, fat, thin, toothless, tactless or feckless.

Along with the potential to disappoint that every human has, though, is the capacity to delight and surprise.

I am aware of the tendency that we have to shy away from human relationships because of so much hurt that has been experienced and could be experienced. A dog is a good companion but not the best.

Would I get a dog? Maybe. But, much like babies, I'm pretty happy to look at other people's.

That raises a whole other question of whether it is actually responsibility that I'm afraid of...