A number of years ago, a dear friend received an odd letter from a professor. It seems the professor was a scholar of Henry James, a US literary figure of some note. He was offended that her dog, also named Henry James, had a website of the same name. The crux of the matter was the popularity of the homey dog, as compared to the highbrow human.

Now, I am the last person to diminish serious scholarship. I’m a professor myself. Still, I think we can share cyberspace and enjoy reading/seeing the animals that enrich our lives. For instance, see my previous blogs on Delilah!

So here is my tribute to Henry James (Canis familiaris). Will it steal the attention from the hordes of web-surfers desperate for a gem of academic wisdom from Henry James (Homo sapiens)? You decide.

And if in the meantime the very foundations of Western civilization erode, we might remember that where we to love so well as dogs, our world would be in a far better state than it is now.

My advice? Go throw a ball.

cheers, Bill

Photo: Henry James and his brother Diesel.

PS. Watch for a gallery of Henry James photos on my website, www.practicalethics.net.