The dog and the rabbit are telling us not to chase unattainable material goals.

The dog, the rabbit and the hoop all feature in the painting, and take the place of the orrery.

If you look closely you can see that they are all interconnected, symbolic of a never-ending circle in which it is simply impossible for the dog to catch the rabbit.

The rabbit is significant in that the handle on the original South Pointing Chariot was carved in the form of a rabbit. Because the handle extended out front it meant that wherever the rabbit went the chariot had to follow.

The hoop is there to remind us not to jump through it, not to submit to someone else's control.

A kitchen-dog is never a good rabbit-hunter