“There is in every animal’s eyes a dim image and gleam of humanity; a flash of strange light through which their lives look out and up to our great mystery of command over them, and claims the fellowship of the creature, if not the soul.”
--John Ruskin, art critic
This is one of my favorite quotes about the magic of the bond we share with animals.
Read it again. And again.
Just breathe it in…
“claims the fellowship” is the phrase that gives me goose bumps. It’s how I’ve always felt about animals. That they are my equal, my peer, my family. They are just wearing a different earth suit than me. (photo from bigstockphoto.com)
--Laurel
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I like the image of our friends in a different earth suit, Laurel. :-) I don't quite get the line in the quote about "...the great mystery of our command over them." I'll have to think about that bit.
Turtlecookie
Posted by: turtlecookie | November 17, 2010 at 08:23 AM
Yes, the word command does interject a bit of "old school" thinking into the idea of this bond, doesn't it? I'd love to hear how you all interpret this, readers.
Posted by: Laurel | November 17, 2010 at 08:41 AM
I really love this quote, Laurel! I often forget what a magical bond we can have with animals -so different than humans. I didn't have a problem with "command" as it was used. Our domestic animals, in many ways, are under our command or care, maybe a better word!
Posted by: Tammy | November 17, 2010 at 02:59 PM