Dreams, Illusions, Bubbles, Shadows

A Tale about Dogs

If you're wondering what I've been up to nowadays...it's Golden Retriever Obsession. Our house has always housed dogs for as long as I can remember. We've had rottweiler, doberman, chow chow, maltese, daschund and German shepherd. Our family is divided into two legions -- the guard dogs supporter (i.e. my dad) and the family companion dog fan (i.e. the rest of the family, I assumed).

I admit I'm a jumpy spider around these canines but who wouldn't if they had been chased down by a doberman before? And if you're wondering how a doberman looks like, here it is



These boys do not run; they gallop. My doberman made me realised I am capable of extraordinary speed in times of catastrophy. Nevertheless, I'll rather not find out under such a peculiar, compromising circumstance.

Due to the recent spate of vicious dog attacks on humans
#1 A boy charged down by a rottweiler, resulting 103 stitches for the former.
#2 A middle-aged woman fell to her death while escaping from a rottweiler.

there are more cases but these two occupied the most newpaper coverage. People's sentiments towards guard dogs have took a dramatic turn in my state. In the early 90's, rottweiler was THE rage. Doberman is preferred as co-workers in the bureau and security force though some do keep them as household pets.

In my father's words, "Of what use are dogs if they are not fierce?" I beg to differ though. I've nothing against the rottweilers we have now. They've more sense than to run down innocent bypassers. Hostility is reserved for strangers and trepassers. But a friendly golden retriever will make a good pet too.

Yesterday afternoon mum commented that she missed the days she kept her dogs, a rottweiler and a German shepherd in the house. The boys were extremely well-trained which never fail to put me in awe of their doggish behaviour. 2 top tricks:

1. They could open doors all the way from the backyard to my parents' bedroom on the second floor.

2. They relieved themselves in the toilet and queue up outside if the toilet is occupied.

Dogs make loyal companions, possessing a human quality which my mum called ren xin, with time. We have an ongoing rat-destroying campaign now. Because rats are so crafty and mouse-trap smart, anyone who can manage to catch a rat is really, really lucky and smart. I didn't join in the rat-destroying force but our dogs did. Feifei caught a fat, bulging rat singlehandedly. However, she didn't dispose of it in the bin as per normal. Instead she placed it in front of her paws, keeping a vigilant watch on it until my dad returned in the evening. When dad came home, feifei went up to him with the rat. Even dogs know how to please their masters.

I reckon it's fallacious to say all guard dogs are a menace to Man. If balanced with ren xin, the latent brutal nature can be suppressed. They can be tamed and dosmesticated. As for the born friendly golden retrievers, I don't know if we'll get one. But my brother is saving up for the 1800 bucks golden.


Rottweiler


German shepherd


Chow chow

posted by Michelle at 2:56 PM