Big

Cuz I'm bigger I get discriminated against!

Henry is one of April's dogs. He writes exclusively for the "Puppy Love" section of Paperdolls Today. Writing about sexual assault, even with healing and hope as the premise, is a heavy subject. It needs to be discussed and brought to light. However, as April writes, she must practice what she preaches and "not gaze into the abyss"(Nietzsche) too long. Hence "Puppy Love" to for smiles and joy.

You can subscribe/unsubscribe to specific sections of Paperdolls~Today, by following substack's instructions here.

Henry here, my human mummy, April, went out of town last weekend. Cuz I'm big, I didn't get to go! Olaf did, and it's unfair! I'm a good boy. Just as friendly. I bark less than Olaf does. But cuz of my statue, if I bark it scares humans. Some humans are even afraid of e just cuz I'm big.

I'm telling you right now, I'm the sweetest guy ever! I don't growl. I do everything Olaf tells me to do. I'm just big!

I don't understand some humans. Some love big houses. Some pile lots and lots of food on their plates, big portions¹ they say. Some even send accolades to human males who get big. They lift weights to get bigger, and I heard my human, April, talking about some athletes who take something called steroids² to get bigger.

She’s even talked about how weird societal expectations are between big females³ and big males. Weird. I don't understand it all. I just know that I'm a male. I'm big. I'm gentle, loving and a good boy--and I get left out sometimes!

She tries to be fair, loving, and inclusive.⁴ Then, the moment she goes out of town, she discriminates. Also, she won't let me on her bed cuz I'm too big. Well, when she came home last night, I forgave her. And, I'm pretty sure most humans don't forgive as fast as I do. I love her more than anything and I was so happy to see her, I instantly forgot her neglect! I ignored the "not on the bed" rule. I climbed right up and snuggled with her. I'm the most gentle, forgiving, guy in the world.

I totally forgave my mummy for leaving me!

Guess what? After everyone fell asleep, I hopped off the bed. I needed to stretch out. I guess I am too big for the bed. I don't even need a rule to tell me. It just makes sense. I'm glad I can cuddle and forgive her. I'm thinking now that rules are for puppies who don't have any sense.

with love, Henry

Footnotes are by April. Paw prints do not transcribe legibly:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1447051/

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15574100/

3. Our society discriminates against weight, especially for women.

4. https://fairforceconsulting.medium.com/7-ways-to-be-more-inclusive-in-your-everyday-life-9af5ee018372