Why Dogs Love Their Species (and people don't)

Comfortably ensconced in his new Georgia habitat, Buddy has made lots of new friends.  Actually, he doesn't have any enemies (ok, there's Tiger the German Shepherd that gives him the evil eye on the Silver Comet Trail in the mornings, and the doggies that bark behind fences they never leave).  But, Bud truly loves all doggies.  I mean frantic tail wagging and glassy eyes at the sight or sniff of a high tailed Bella or Wheeler or Delilah or Annie or Bailey well . . . . you get the picture.

Better yet, Bud can fantasize about future encounters while snorting for Eau 'd Doggie through the low hanging leaves of bushes and even lower grass fronds.  Bud's dog2dog encounters are full of sniffing all over and then more sniffing followed by the front leg bow with a bark of delight hoping the new doggie will do the same and play and play and play.  O the rassling, running, jumping and sounds of dogs at play.  And, Bud has never ignored a dog because of color, breed, gender, length of hair, parentage or sexual ability.  Nope, this guy is an equal opportunity player and friend.

Too bad the world of the people with the logic and rational thought and, who actually know they will die some day, can't like and play with people that are not like them. Bud assumes he will live forever and still loves every dog. I know I will die one day and in the meantime cannot possibly apologize to all the people I have ignored, disliked and marginalized because they were from a different tribe than my tribe.
Of course tribes are big in the Bible, such as the 12 tribes of Israel.  Yet, everyone belongs to at least one tribe and most of us to several tribes. You see, I was born into the American, southern, male, conservative, caucasian tribe but later also joined the protestant, professional, progressive, mid-western,nuclear family tribe.  Today, I am also a proud member of the southern, retired, grandparenting, dog walking tribal community.  And, assuredly, some day these tribal affiliations won't mean a thing.  All that time wasted.