Our Relationship with Animals

     Timothy Treadwell's relationship with the grizzly bears of Alaska provoked some thought regarding human interaction with animals. A veterinarian, hunter, and cook likely view animals differently. While some argue for a sense of equality with animals, others claim superiority and feel no restraint in showing as much. To each, their argument appears true and justifiable. Animals, like the people and objects around them, alter their perception of the world.
     Treadwell feels as if it his duty to protect the grizzlies in Alaska. His dedication to this idea leads him to live with them, video taping his life and interactions with the bears (which include talking). The talking seems odd (by the standards of many I would think), but many people talk to their pets and this seems far more normal. It seems common that those who spend large amounts of time around animals develop an emotional connection with them. The emotions they feel toward these animals can manifest themselves in many ways. What can one take away, though, from Treadwell's view of the grizzlies or anyone else's view of any other animals?
     It is extremely easy to fall into the trap of viewing our relationship with animals in a black and white world. In the common cat vs. dog argument, for instance, both parties seem to view their pet of choice as clearly better. Strong opinions like these are perhaps only defenses against a change in what people in each party have believed to be true. If a dog has been important in someone's life for instance, it holds a far higher value than that of a cat in their life. Something like this only further confirms the idea that the values, and truths that we determine as a result, that we assign to animals or anything really are products of our environment and upbringing.