Yet, a notable exception to this high valuation of the dog can be seen in C.S. Lewis’s choice of a lion to represent the authority of God in his Narnia books through the depiction of Aslan.

In the poetry of Hafiz and Rumi, the great Sufi writers, I note that their view of Allah/The Friend, while including “authority,” also depicts God as taking part in a great deal of holy playfulness, jokes that are meant to enlighten us and remind us of our humility.

Am I stepping off the deep end here? I hope my respect is obvious, even if my ignorance is showing itself to be greater.