I recently learned about a frightened dog named Arthur who had been dropped off at an animal shelter by his family because – here comes the thunderbolt – they were moving! Arthur had tucked himself into a corner of his cage, in a state of fear. No surprise. He’d been abandoned by family.

Watching the staff at the shelter help Arthur rediscover he is safe, cared about, loved and, in time petted, was wondrous to behold.

I am not capable of abandoning a family member. It’s been done to me. Be it known that any animal – dog, cat, bird – living with me is a member of my family. Their lives are not less valuable because they are a different species. After all, wouldn’t that be a form of bigotry?

I used to say dogs are people until it occurred to me I was insulting the dogs. Dogs are always honest.