In Sympathy for a Desert Dog, James Suzman discusses his relationship with Dog and its controversy within the Ju/’hoansi tribe. The author exhibits a special connection with Dog, but has to hide his compassion and habits around his neighbors due to their difference in culture and their past with the white ranchers and their “peculiar” relationships with dogs. The tribe saw dogs as people due to their individual habits and personalities, yet they saw them as being distinct from humans. For example, the children of the tribe accidently killed Dog, without being punished due to their “curiosity” as said by Suzman’s neighbors. However, the children also fed and petted Dog, which seemed odd but related to their view on empathy for animals, versus
