Why we respond to dogs

Regarding the clamor surrounding Willie Bean’s candidacy for mayor of Fairhope, it is a human tendency to joke about something we feel deeply about.

I submit that the overwhelming response is less politically motivated than the electorate’s acknowledgment of the ascendancy of the dog as an adopted member of the human familyelevated the dog’s place in our culture.

As for Willie Bean, he is the cause celebre, the role model, the Every Dog. But the power is in the electorate, which has recognized for centuries man’s enduring faithful companion. They have used the term “watch dog” to stand for guardian and protector.

It is they who have called him surrogate child of those who have lost or never had children; who have hailed him as a hero for rescuing humans from fires or floods; who have promoted his advance as caretaker of the young and old, and even therapist to the ill and disabled.

Most important to the electorate are his values — the index to his character, one they can understand and believe in. They do not care whether he is populist or elitist, pedigreed or mutt.

Young and old, blue collar and white collar, rich or poor, Republican, Democrat or Libertarian, all give their allegiance to the dog, who asks little — a meal and a walk a day, sheltered bed and affection — and gives all he has.

What the electorate seems to be saying is, “We declare we are all together in this, and we know a unifying symbol when we see one.”

JULE MOON