A man and his “dog” enjoy a time-honored relationship in which
both parties accepteach other’s flaws and peculiarities.The gentleman
portrayed here might assert that his waistcoat is properly buttoned, each
sock is in place and the itemsin his pocket are delicious doggie treats for his canine
companion,yet his “pet” would never quibble. Indeed, this “dog”
could easily break the tie that binds him to his master — the leash is far from strong—
but he choosesto remain byhis side. Our “Professor of Imagination,” James C. Christensen,
advises us to assess our relationships without getting bogged down in details.
“I think we can be happy with our perceptions of ourselves
if we can honestlysay, ‘Nothing I’m doing is importantly wrong’ . . .
and if we can say the sameof our friends."