Because I grew up in rural Oregon (and still work there), I see a lot of dead animals on the road, though rarely anything large. Mostly I see skunks and raccoons and skunks and cats and skunks and possums and skunks. A lot of skunks.

I do fine with the possums and, especially, the skunks, because I have no concept of what there lives must be like. I’ve never interacted with them. Raccoons get me a little, though; I’ve had enough experience with them to be able to empathize. Cats, on the other hand, can destroy me. When I see a dead cat on the road, I know that this was an intelligent living creature with thoughts and emotions and desires.

I’m always reminded of Watership Down’s hrududus…