Sandy and the Sky

What's that bigger star Dad, the creamy white one?

It's not a star, it's a satellite of earth called the moon.

Who lives there Dad?

No one Sandy, it's barren and can't support any life.

How do you know that?

Men have been there to investigate, they brought bits of it back with them for research, it was proven empty of all life.

Any dogs been there?

No, none.

Can we walk to the moon?

No Sandy we can't, it's so far away it would take hundreds of dog lifetimes to reach it, if that was possible.

Not very interesting then.

Well it is but not to dogs.

We see the same things Dad,but differently. You think these stars and space interesting, they don't do much for me, I can't get to them and they don't smell, so I'll ignore them and get on with hunting the mouse that crossed the lawn just before we came out.

Where is it?

At the bottom of that tree over there.

Are you sure, I can't see it.

Nor can I Dad, but it's there, I can sense and smell it. If it moves I'll see it, so it sits still hoping I'll go away. If I can I'll catch it and if I catch it I'll kill it.

What's the point of that?

No point Dad, just instinct; you see something far away, that you know you can never reach and you try to go there. I see a mouse that I probably won't reach in time but if I do I'll catch it and kill it. Same thing, we're the same, we have to try, no matter how unlikely a positive outcome.

I thought his view rather profound and went in to ask my daughter if he was right.

Lauren