If You Could Make Your Pet Understand One Thing, What Would It Be?

First, I’d like to apologise. Mankind hasn’t been kind to animals. My world changed his world in ways that didn’t benefit him. We never consulted with animals when we altered their lives. I feel I have to apologise for that. I’m sorry.

We never tried to fit in. We never found our link within the chain of life. We bulldozed through time and space and expected things to change for us. If something or someone blocked our path, we got violent until it yielded. We didn’t care what links in that chain were destroyed along the way.

There was no slowing us down, stopping or, perish the thought, going backwards to fix things. We’ve been so righteous, but we’ve also made many mistakes. It’s what my species does well. If only we learned to fit in instead. If only we stopped seeing ourselves at the top of some great genetic pyramid and realized we were just a link. That’s all. Not the keeper of the damn chain or an intellectual leader of all-else organisms!

What makes us think we’re better than animals? Animals, fish, birds, trees, and insects exist with or without human beings. They don’t need us. Nothing on this planet needs us. Each organism does better without our intervention. Why are we even here? We’re such destructive animals!

I also apologise for the future because I don’t see anything changing anytime soon. Your descendant’s future is at the mercy of my species’ whims. Each time we decided to improve some part of our life, we caused another part of your life to suffer. We made you into a pretty-looking dog with a gentle temperament, but your hips and knees aren’t right for your body. Your life expectancy is shortened because your metabolism is higher than normal. That’s what comes with the inbreeding that made you, you. That’s the price you pay for the animal we wanted.

It’s not just animals, either. We consume the forests. We seize the oceans and the skies and then make them our own. They are not ours to take. They were meant to be shared. Small link, big chain, remember?

Sorry, my darling pet.

I’m so sorry.

Now, pose for a cute photo. My Instagram needs followers.

-Me.