by Jim Robertson
Since the dark ages of Descartes, certain people have tried to
keep non-human animals down and justify their exploitation with the
absurd and arrogant allegation that animals don't really care what
happens to them because they aren't capable of feeling, choosing, or
perceiving-they aren't "conscious".
Say what? What are they, unconscious?
To borrow a redneck phrase I promise I'll never resort to again,
"That dog don't hunt!"
Of course, neither does our yellow lab, Honey. But she definitely
can think

and feel, and on Wednesday night she felt bad, clearly
perceiving that things weren't right. She must have eaten
something unsavory that didn't sit well. Normally Honey sleeps like
a log, choosing to sleep on the bed, but that night she
didn't sleep a wink and instead lay on the floor with a pained
expression and a hang-dog look (sorry, again, but it seemed to fit);
she was worried, fearful and subdued-obviously uncomfortable.