I think that real is a very deep question, Kid.
I think it is essentially the same question that I ask -- why do some people love their country, regardless of its faults or warts, while others seem not to have such attachment? Put another way, why do some love unconditionally while others only love conditionally?
I have a parable in the dog kingdom. I have had a dozen or so dogs in my lifetime. They all amply demonstrated love of home. One was hit by a car a mile from home and came all the way back, somehow, with a broken neck to die on the doorstep (amazing everyone who witnessed it). Another met the same fate on out own street before my eyes and raced to our porch and up the steps to die of horrible injuries that should have killed her on the spot. Most of of our other dogs roamed freely when that was the norm but always came home.
The only exception was "Mr. Chips," a spaniel. Every time we let him free, he disappeared. We were always calling the police station, and they would tell us someone had called. We would go to pick him up, and find that he was happily living with another family. He would come home and be a good dog, but take off again at the first opportunity. Finally the day came when no one called and he was gone for good.
We never could figure out what was missing in his make-up that made him not care about his home. He could just take it or leave it, nonchalantly. It wasn't anything you could get mad about, because he was a good dog. There was just something missing.
When I think of the question you posed -- I always think of "Mr. Chips." |
