I’ve been invited to a party for nudists of sorts — a neighbour of mine has shed his/her humanity and would like me to do the same and jump in the pool.

Very nearby there is a dog who howls all night.  It probably starts shortly after I fall asleep, because I do fall asleep and yet, once I have heard its tormented cries, I cannot sleep again.  It is a continuous expression of anguish and sorrow.  It pierces glass.  It pierces darkness.  It pierces restfulness.  It challenges any attempts I may have to convince myself that I am a good person — it disagrees.

I’ve thought of sneaking over in the night and poisoning the poor beast.  I’ve thought of publicly humiliating its deformed, twisted owners.  Putting them in a pillory where they can be scorned; immortalized as oddities and relics.  But I still get to sleep in my bed as I have done for many nights now, as my canine friend has continued to ask for help or release.

I am complicit in its suffering.  I have been invited to this party and I cannot claim not to know the predilections of my host.  I need to act today.  My own humanity is at stake.