It is sort of remarkable to me how much grief can well up when a pet dies, until one remembers that they are in fact people, who just happen not to be human.

They grieve until they find the individual alive, and if they don't, and the computer matches them up, then the grieving process moves on. It's reality now, and hope has diminished into facts,

A dog...is a bond between strangers.

Do what you need to do and enjoy life as it happens.

Relations were never good (how comfortable can you really be with a race that sees you as a nutritious part of a complete breakfast).

Okay, that's intensely interesting," Duvall said. "So you're a priest of the Forshan religion? Which schism?"
"The leftward schism, and no, not a priest."
"Couldn't handle the celibacy?"
"Leftward priests aren't required to be celibate," Dahl said, "but considering I was the only human at the seminary, I had celibacy thrust upon me, if you will."
"Some people wouldn't let that stop them," Duvall said.
"You haven't seen a Forshan seminary student up close," Dahl said. "Also, I don't swing xeno.