Thursday, December 9, 2010

The meaning of dog companionship

Why do humans in Singapore bring a dog into their home. Godpa is pondering this question. We were happily enjoying Kodak moments at home but later in the evening a near disaster happened.

IMG_1181

While on our usual walk around the estate, we encountered a bull terrier (looks similar to the picture below), under the care of a domestic helper, and which we later found out was actually off leash. As usual I gave a few growls as we briskly walked past the seemingly docile and quiet dog. Suddenly it dashed out and attacked me. It took a minute or so for the lady to pull the terrier away. Godpa anxiously checked for injuries and also asked her about the terrier. At least she was knowledgeable enough to say the dog is a bull terrier and is very strong. Fortunately there were no injuries though the event left me shivering for some time.

bull terrier

There's alot to say about leashing, muzzling, obedience, etc. But what disturbs godpa is how some people have stopped valuing the whole experience of having a dog, from grooming, exercising, training, picking up it's poop, to nursing it in ill health, and so on. A domestic helper takes care of the "shit" work and the dog owner (or rather purchaser) just sits back and enjoys "having" a dog. Godpa may be over generalizing things but his personal observation is that dogs are more often seen with the domestic help (mostly busy chatting on the handphone) than with actual owners. At this rate, I wonder how humans will end up treating their own young.

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