Freedom or Freefall???

(JULY 97)

Is it a dog's life at home and in school? Do this. Do that. This cannot. That Cannot. There seems to be no freedom or breathing space. Below is a dog's perspective of what freedom was to him.

Ben's Testimony

Freedom. It was short-lived. Painful. He did not know how to handle it.

Ben whimpered in pain as he tried to settle down in a comfortable position. This place was so different from home. It was dark and noisy. It smelt different. He peered through the wire mesh. There were cages all around him. Some were empty but there were those with occupants like him. Ben wished he was at home and sleeping in comfort at his master's feet but it would not be possible for the moment. He would have to stay in this place until he had recovered. It was not his master's fault, as he remembers.....

It was evening when his master would take him for the usual run in the nearby rubber estate. He loved the freedom to run, the smell of fresh grass and rubber trees. He was free to run anywhere, smelling the wild flowers and chasing after little insects.

As usual his master brought out the leash. Ben could not understand why his master needed to use the leash to lead him out into the rubber estate. He could have made his way there himself or that was what he thought. He tried avoiding the leash as he leapt about. It took a while for his master to put the leash on. As they walked, Ben tugged impatiently and his master had to restrain him by pulling hard on the leash.

Suddenly, his leash snapped and Ben found himself running a distant away from his master. His master called after him, but Ben ignored the calls and ran on. He saw the welcome sight on the other side of the road. He ran onto the road... the rest was blur.

As he spent the night at the vet. Ben realised that the leash was his master's way of showing him love. He did not want Ben to get hurt as the road there was dangerous. Ben understood now. Fortunately for him, it was not too late. He would in future gladly let his master lead him. He will obey and trust his master.

In some ways we are like Ben. We want to be free to do what we please. When rules and regulations imposed on us restrict our freedom and our desires, we become angry and rebellious. We do not realised or try to understand theat they were imposed for our own good.

Now Ben gladly lets his master put the leash on him. As he walks beside his master, he does not feel the restriction of the leash anymore. He now understand that freedom comes with obedience and discipline.