Abigail Johnson

Dog-Kissed Tears

Counseling, Grief & Mental Health

“Humans have a complex relationship with animals. We construct a hierarchy with humans at the top blessed with intelligence and self-awareness. Animals exist at the bottom, deemed unintelligent, lacking self-awareness, and therefore subject to human control. Zuidervaart opens up such a construction through reflections on a powerful relationship with his dog, Rosa. A bond forged from love, acceptance, and openness freed Zuidervaart to embrace places within himself previously unexplored, thus deepening his spiritual relationship with self, others, and God.”