A Man's Best Friend

There is an old phrase: A Dog is a Man's (and Woman's) Best Friend.

The original intention was that wolves and people form a working relationship, where the wolves hunt and track the food, the humans finish the job, and both could then enjoy the resulting meal.

Co-operate and co-labour, working together, learning to think alike, gradually becoming closer until they could pre-empt and respond to each other's moves, moods and needs. A friendship ensues, a mutual respect, where dog and human respect each other, seek out each other, want each other, need each other, love each other.

At some point, and for various reasons, wolves became domesticated and dependent on the humans, and the humans took on a new role of 'Owner'. Looking after their dogs, giving them a good home, feeding them, caring for them.

There have been many accounts of dogs rescuing humans, protecting humans, fighting for and standing up for their owners, so the relationship is still one of respect and mutual collaboration, even love and appreciation.

This is a far cry from the relationships I see in the streets of today, where people treat their dogs like luggage, dragging them by a leash across busy, scary roads, along crowded pavements, from claustrophobic shop to shop. I watch in sadness as I see such a devoted and precious animal, sitting on a marble floor while their owner sits on a warm cushioned chair. Being stepped on by other people, being bashed by bags and pushchairs, being yanked around by the noose around their neck, their lead getting tangled in railings, being sworn at by their owners. I shudder when I hear dog owners shout at their loyal four-legged friends, curse them, even kick them to move them out of the way.

Poor wolves. They used to be so proud, walk so tall, be so useful in nature. Dogs aren't meant to be in cities, or walk on hard sidewalks, or made to sit on freezing cold paving slabs. They are meant to run free in fields, on mountains, in grass on sand. No poopa-scooper needed here; It's a dog's natural habitat.

Dogs were supposed to walk alongside their human companion as equals, sharing life together, supporting each other, respecting each other, honouring one another.

Pups can be trained to respond to a nod, a murmur, a hand signal, a whistle, a gesture, a look, even a thought.

I watched two such relationships:

1.  A lady in a crowded city street, violently dragging her tiny long-haired dog by the neck, when the little dog broke free from her lead, and ran off barking furiously, with the lady screaming "Princess" after her in a rage, and waving her fist.

2.  A man was jogging with his huge dog, along the beach. Side-by-side. No leash. Complete unity and trust between them. The dog looked up at the man. The man looked down at his companion. A smile passed between them, no words necessary. Surely that's a better way to be.

I like the idea of going for a walk WITH our four-legged-friends, instead of having to "take the dog for a walk".