What in the world has contaminated the human mind, to become a zealous dog-killer? We constantly hear of malicious criminals, camouflaging poison or razorblades in slices of sausage, to randomly injure or kill dogs in public spaces. What, in the name of reason, can possess a soul to expose a defenceless dog to the horror of this hazard, in the pursuit of some obscure target. Assuming these vile individuals could be caught and arrested, I can’t think of a punishment sufficiently suitable for them. It’s equally mysterious, to hear of people dumping their dogs at the airport, when they take off on holiday. The anguish affecting the dog is simply appalling – but hey-ho – we’re off to have fun in the sun, and «someone» else will rescue the dog.

Now, we live in a village surrounded by fields on all sides and where farmers seem to delight in dispersing slurry with increasing frequency and magnitude. We accept the almost omnipresent billows of stench as the price of living in the country, and we shut the windows. It’s debatable whether it’s healthy, as it fills the air and pollutes the underground water. But with this scene in mind, what drives petty-minded, self-righteous observers to complain that dogs pee on the public grass lining the pavements, when walking past their abode? They seem to overlook the many cats, foxes, and other beasts of the earth that meander through, or fly over «their» territory, and perform the very same ablutions. The fact is, that all dog-owners in Switzerland pay substantial dog-tax, regardless of whether they are half a horse or only two kilos in weight and until we can teach our dogs to use the toilet, they need to relieve themselves al fresco. (That said, dog owners are stringent about collecting the denser toilet produce of their four-legged friend.)

Many dogs are more willing and capable of working harder, than some humans. We train and use dogs to sniff out bombs and explosives, detect drugs and/or illegal money. We use them to pull sleds full of goods, medicines and humans in excessively cold areas and to save life in avalanches. They can learn to herd sheep and guide people who are blind or disabled. They are therapeutic and have the ability to bring comfort to the loneliest soul and guard our homes. They are delighted to serve mankind with courage and humility for the prize of a tennis-ball. We owe them respect and gratitude!

We love our dogs! There is nothing equal to their undemanding loyalty, companionship and devotion for we humble humans, privileged to share their world. They console us in our sorrow and delight in our joy, without a word passing between us. They enjoy an instinctive ability to gauge our mood and react accordingly. Their main ambition in life is to please us, and their only hope in return is for us to love and care for them. OK, they snore and fart and chew shoes, and have a passion for triumphantly rolling in the manure on sloshy walks. So what?  The most endearing thing is that they are not human – they are pooches who don’t care what they, or we look like. They are style- and designer-resistant. It’s not the outward mask, but the rare affinity with their two-legged chums that defines their beings and in today’s manic world, countless people would affirm that they prefer dogs to humans! The relationship between man and his dog is unparalleled and mysterious. It is a meeting of two souls who share mutual emotion, trust and fierce protection of each other. They say that dog owners live longer – possibly, because they have more to live for. Let’s hail them for their unique place in our world and get their little drops of pee into perspective.

Photo: Pexels.com / Matheus Bertelli