My First Fellow Animist Was a Dog

My First Fellow Animist Was a Dog

From Gaia's Call by Listen to the call of the Earth and take action.

March 20, 2026 · 9 min

About this episode

The episode reflects on the author's lifelong relationship with dogs and the rediscovery of animism as a way of belonging.

I’m not writing this as an expert in animism. I’m writing as someone who, late in life, has discovered that something he has been practicing for more than seventy years actually has a name. Animism. It’s an old word. Older than most religions. Older than most civilizations. And yet it feels strangely fresh to me—as if I’ve simply rediscovered a way of belonging that was always there, waiting patiently under the surface. Before I had language for it, I had a dog. His name was Tiddlywink. I was five years old when he entered my life. A sturdy, loyal sled-pulling hero who changed winter forever. My brother and I would race down the hill on our sled, laughing wildly, and when we reached the bottom, Tiddlywink would pick up the rope in his teeth and pull the sled to the top. Over and over again. We were the envy of every kid on the block, all of whom had to drag their own sleds uphill. But what I remember most isn’t the convenience. It’s the companionship. He wasn’t a “pet” in the ornamental sense. He was family. A presence. A personality. A partner in adventure. There was loyalty in his eyes. Humor. Even what felt like pride in his work. Fast forward seventy years. As I write this…

Topics covered

  • animism
  • companionship
  • pets
  • veterinary
  • childhood memories

Keywords

  • animism
  • dogs
  • companionship
  • veterinary
  • childhood

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