People have been trying to understand dogs ever since the beginning of time. One never knows what they'll do. You can read every day where a dog saved the life of a drowning child, or lay down his life for his master. Some people call this loyalty. I don't. I may be wrong, but I call it love-the deepest kind of love. . . . It's a shame that people all over the world can't have that kind of love in their hearts. . . . There would be no wars, slaughter, or murder; no greed or selfishness. It would be the kind of world that God wants us to have-a wonderful world. -Wilson Rawls, Where the Red Fern Grows
Throughout history, humans have sought to comprehend the complexities of dogs and their behavior, often marveling at their unpredictable nature. Stories abound of dogs performing heroic acts, such as saving lives or sacrificing themselves for their owners. While many people interpret these actions as signs of loyalty, the author suggests that they stem from a much deeper emotion—love. This profound bond between dogs and humans highlights the potential for compassion in our world.
Rawls expresses a longing for a world where such unconditional love is widespread among humanity. He believes that if people could embody the love exhibited by dogs, we would eliminate the conflicts and violence that plague society. In this envisioned world, rooted in love rather than greed and selfishness, the author implies that humanity could create the peaceful existence that is divinely intended for us.
