The animal
Maybe it's animalness that will make the world right again: the wisdom of elephants, the enthusiasm of canines, the grace of snakes, the mildness of anteaters. Perhaps being human needs some diluting. Carol Emshwiller
The grey wolf and the wildcat in your home.
Animals in our home have an identity crisis. On one hand, we see them as a human-like creatures, such that they are capable of the same emotions, decisions, rationales, and that they should eat the same as us, sleep the same, require the same amenities. On the other hand, we also see animals as creatures of lesser value, as objects. Culturally, we are told that as they do not speak in a way we understand, they are not capable of deciding what they need or what is best for them, and so humans are required to make all decisions for them. Domestication shouldn’t mean humanisation. All animals that we invite into our home speak the same language, have the same instincts, and are built the same as their wild counterparts. When we see their food bowl, they see their kill, when we walk them, they hunt and observe. When we call them to us, they see an obligation to protect their pack.