By felina{HoM}

What does Love have to do with it?

Many words of late have crossed the ears of felina, of which have given her much food for thought. One such concept was how some are appalled that not all Master's love or respect their slaves. felina was then asked why do they collar slaves then? Now this didn't take all that long to contemplate but it did have a few levels of thought depending on how far one decided to dig into it. felina bored with nothing to do, her mind wandered.

In felina's opinion, she would hazard to guess, that most girls are collared as they are of interest to the Master who collar her. This thought is rather substantiated in the source books, suffice it to say, the same thought would apply to the slaves of IRC Gor.

As for later in the relationship, there are incidences of Love Masters and love slaves, within the scrolls of Norman, and often love can be found on IRC Gor between Master and slave. Some even marry. But, is it a prerequisite? In felina's humble opinion, it is not. There are slaves who are collared that are not IN love with their Master, they may love Him as a slave should, and that is entirely different as being IN love with Him, and there are Masters who do not love their slaves.

This concept then led felina to the next level. How does one love a chair, a desk, a car? Slaves, like those things mentioned, are property. To love property such as a chair or a desk, well in felina's opinion, would fit her for the rubber room. This then led felina to the next level. Many love their animals, cats, dogs, birds, horses, etc., slaves are also considered animals. felina has seen many a dog and cat dressed up so as not to catch cold, permitted to lay upon furniture, crawl into beds, she is guilty, of spoiling her own pets. Then again, not everyone loves their animals, they care for them, feed them, see they are kept healthy. They own these animals not as objects of love but objects of pleasure. It may be soothing to have the family dog curled up at your feet, to hear the soft whistle of a bird on a summers day. Isn't that so very similar to a slave, soothing to have her at Your feet, pleasing to hear the soft sounds of Your slave as You partake of Your pleasure? Animals kept for pleasure, seem to be more loving and giving, they will do anything to please their Owner. The time the Owner gives them is relished more by both in felina's opinion.

It is felina's belief, that animals treated with too much love become spoiled. The proof is in her own cat, Ubu, a prissy bitch who demands her way. Animals treated almost as equals, become aloof, and yes, can take their Owners for granted, demanding attention paid to them. Something is missing, perhaps a warmth, in that the Owner is at the beck and call of the animal. Would an Owner rather having a pleasing purrring creature at His feet, or one demanding attention?

felina's mind continued to work and went off the path for a moment, when she began to think that if not enough attention was paid to an animal, the animal would wither and die. Mostly from starvation of affection, this led felina to believe that a medium of some sorts had to be found, was that medium called love? Again felina didn't believe so. When an Owner places a collar on an animal, no matter what variety, He takes on a certain responsibility to that animal. Is responsibility conducive of love? Again felina thought not.

Then came the next level, it being the most difficult. What is the definition of the word love? It is felina's belief that when a Master takes good care of His property, see's to it's well being, nurtures and encourages growth, this sort of action can be taken two entirely different ways depending on the person's perspective. The actions can be construed as an act of responsibility to One's property and therefore maintaining or even increasing the value, and the actions can also be construed as acts of love and respect. felina finally came to the conclusion, that love cannot be defined easily or simply, what may be love to one person, may not be love to another. See what happens when felina gets bored? <g>

As for respect, this passage about says it best:

"How can you respect me?" she asked. "Assume the belly position, and kiss my feet, Slave," I said. She did so. "What now was your question?" I asked. "How--how can you respect me?" she asked, half choking. "I do not," I told her. "Do You know why?" "Yes, Master" she said. "Why?" I asked. "Because I am a slave," she said. "True," I said. ........... "Your question about respect was stupid," I said. "Perhaps you should be lashed."
Savages of Gor .. pg 224