We humans have co-habituated with animals for at least a millennia. Not only that but we have also claimed dominion over all things on this earth. Co-habituating and dominating. These two things seem at odds with each other. We have a strained, yet symbiotic relationship with these creatures. We need to nourish them, to nourish us. So what does that make these creatures? Commodities to be grown, traded and used or to be beloved companions? This dynamic makes telling what is right and wrong difficult. Since we are dealing with living creatures, do they have morals as we do? As the dominant species on earth, do we have an obligation to protect these animals, or do as we please with them? There is no denying that we do, at times, desensitize ourselves to the complexities of these living creatures. .
I would like to explore the relationship between humans and animals through the stories of Blue, the horse, from the story "Am I Blue?" and the elephant from George Orwell's story, "Shooting an Elephant". From Alice Walker's story, she recounts her experience watching Blue's life. She recalls the feeling she had when she looked into the horse's eyes. She described the feeling as one of horrible loneliness, which was shocking to her. Even a simple animal can convey so much emotion. She remembers when a new horse appeared on the property and Blue was happy. Time went by and the two horses became very close, and Blue's new friend was eventually pregnant. Blue was content and happy, probably the happiest he has ever been; the look in his eyes conveyed the "this is itness". As soon as this happened, the new pregnant horse was whisked away, it was all just for mating purposes. Blue was devastated, he thrashed around, and the author compares him to a person, filled with inconsolable grief. These people did not have the intent to provide this animal with companionship, they only wanted to breed another horse and conducted it in a purely business-like manner.
