Buddhism and a Dog

Friends who know me, know that I am and have always been opinionated, a little bull headed about many things and picky, picky, picky; religion being one of those things I am picky about. Some of my dear friends and family members are devout Christians (Catholics, Mormons, and Baptists) and I grew up going to their churches. But never could I (sorry friends and family) understand or follow. Something in me did not respond. All the rituals and hierarchy and ifs, ands, or buts that one must go through in order to be accepted... well, it just wasn't for me. I have read the bible, perused the Koran, read up about many other religions took quizzes to see where my leanings lead to and found nothing I could believe. I respect and admire my friends and family for their beliefs but I could never share them, and in 36 years no one convinced me.
Living in Asia I came in touch with Buddhism; in Thailand and Vietnam (Hong Kong too) I was surrounded by it and found that it called-and I responded- but then I stopped myself. I felt that as a westerner I had to follow my culture, that if I became a Buddhist I'd be following a fad or be seen as a new age dork or freak, so I ignored it.
Then Crispin left, and Glenn and I thought and felt and contemplated what and where we go. Why do we as humans insist on placing animals below us as lesser beings, when they provide us with so much; from sustenance to uncomplicated unconditional love and loyalty? We use them to see for us, to sense epileptic fits before we even know they are there, to protect us from thieves, rapists and other dangers, to find drugs and bombs, even to PLACE bombs (dolphins), we eat them, milk them, breed them for fur and experiment all the medicines, make up and hygiene products on them. Why are we so ungrateful, why do we justify our abuses by saying they are less than us?
And so I came upon the following Koan: "Does a dog have the Buddha nature?"
I can only hope I am not insulting anyone, at most I am just being ignorant and unenlightened, but reading all I have about Buddhism I can't but believe that if Buddha is as Buddha was, if Bodhisattvas are- if their object is to keep reincarnating in order to offer their ultimate compassion to save all beings (I just love that it says "beings" in the book, and not just "humans"); then I know that Crispin was a reincarnation of something essentially good, and remains one wherever he's gone. Here I beg to differ a little from the mainstream Buddhist belief that the best reincarnation (other than demi god or god) is a human one, even if the objective is to break free of reincarnation. Reincarnating as a human may be good for one's salvation from suffering, for building good karma, etc. but reincarnating as certain animals can do a lot of good for the salvation from suffering of many humans (and sometimes even other animals). I believe that even as a lowly dog you can touch lives, open hearts and minds without ever having to speak a word or even preach. When I go through my notes on my Buddhist lessons I see Crispin. The emptiness of the “I”, there is no self; well my dear dog had no sense of self, definitely not inflated like most humans’. Do not kill, do not steal, do not lie (ok, once he tried to blame his fart on me, but we’ll let that one go), do not be unchaste, and do not take intoxicants. The right effort (I never saw him not trying to please someone, even the cat); and most important of all: the 4 Divine Abidings: Loving Kindness, Compassion, Equanimity and Joy in the Happiness of Others: I could bore anyone listing how Crispin lived by all 4. When he passed away, people in three countries and 5 states cried for him, people I don’t know but for in chatting at the parks where we played asked about him and a few cried when they heard. He had that much exuberance and absolute love of everyone; people and animals. Crispin had no mental and emotional bonds to hold him back, no words or voice to trip him and 'misscommunicate' him. He had only love and compassion, joy and a very forgiving nature. He had a contented sigh that spoke volumes in one single breath; eyes that penetrated your soul, oh, and soft warm ears.

From my journal:3-2-06

I was driving back to the hotel this afternoon and suddenly I felt the gaping hole of emptiness. The road was still there in front of me; the cars in front of me still moved like doped sheep on their way home, but in that space between my mind and the scene in front of me I felt the absence of something. It was Crispin. I felt as if the world were missing something and unaware of it. That happiness and exuberant love he always had, that spring in his step and swing of his tail gone for good. I thought of a bright star in a sky full of stars that suddenly implodes and leaves in its place a gaping hole. Who would miss or notice the absence of this one pitifully small star? I do. Because my eye was fixed on it and only saw its shine.
I missed that star today and felt the pull of the black hole and cried little selfish tears because I wasn't there to see it go out.

My aunt's new addition to the family. I forget his name, he doesn't quite have one, but he posed for this photo knowing this was his way to establish his residency in my aunt's home.

Our cat, Tofu. Waited patiently while I got my loyalties straight (I still felt I had love for only one cat, the one I gave to my mother-in-law), and when I was ready she tiptoed into my heart and onto my bed.

Remembering my beloved dog, Crispin. Who passed away Feb. 18 2006. Anyone who ever met him loved him. I am finaly buddhist because of him. I can but only believe, truly believe that we are not the only touched and enlightened 'souls' on this world. Crispin was wiser, more tolerant and more loving than many many people I have met. I know he is reborn somewhere and touching lives, as a person perhaps, but no matter what, he is making someone happy