Uri Aran’s video, in which he is seen closely hugging his dog (a bitch) and crying into its “arms,” is at once tender and disconcerting. The solace sought by him- a strong male figure- through the relationship with his pet, reverses the expected traditional dog-master roles. Whereas one would habitually expect the animal to seek approval from its owner, begging for attention and longing to be petted, here the situation is reversed: the owner seeks his pet’s love and approval. The dog is the figure in control and the big, male, human owner looks like he has lost his position of superiority. Aran appears to silently ask his dog to share in his pain and help him overcome it. The dog seems disconcerted, almost embarrassed by the new psychological role he is asked to perform, thus infusing a comical input into an otherwise emotionally-charged situation.

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