On the importance of dogs
The actor Sam Neill has died at the age of 78. Here is a column he wrote for The Spectator in 2014. Last week, my dog left me. Walked out. Gone and left me for another man. I knew what had happened when I returned to the vineyard after a week or two abroad. As soon as I got out of my truck, there he was, running right past me without so much as a how d’you do. I couldn’t help it – I’m afraid I yelled after him, “Listen, you little shit, I saved your life! One day from death row you were, and this is what I get?” A house without a dog is oddly empty. I grew up with dogs I suppose you think I should be heartbroken. I’m not really. Truth is, I liked him well enough, but I never really loved him. That’s hard to admit; you are meant to love your pets unreservedly.
