Several things come to mind as I read. I try not to judge what comes to mind, but I suspect as I read I was provoked, or not reading well? :) the first thing, 42! Grok?

The second is a story, severely summarized. An aged monk always had an evening walk, and always would invite 1 student. The student chosen would accompany him to hill top where they would watch the sunset in silence. One evening, a particular student remarked, "What a beautiful sunset."

"It was until you labeled it," said the monk, and returned to the temple.

Though there is meaning in the concept of dog, I am not sure I can reduce the actual dog to irrelevance. I consider it a soul, and expression of soul, not a lesser being. The meaning is contained, and also in the relationship of two beings. So, yes, there is this genuine thing here to grapple with- to not label to allow things to be, but there is also value in elevating this beingness to the level of sacred.

So, is it an intellectual thing we do to find meaning, or is it a spiritual thing we do?