EVERY DOG SHOULD HAVE HIS DAY
Every man has his price!
King of Jordan Prayed For His Dog
A Son Should Look After His Aged Father-Right!
“Every dog has his day…,” so goes the saying. But, does every dog have his day during his lifetime? Or does he need to be reborn as a dog again and again and wait for another lifetime till he finally has his day? Only time can tell.
If a dog does not have his day, Man can help the dog have his day. This is the motto with which ‘Vatavaran’—a philanthropic group dedicated to bring about a peaceful co-existence between Man and Nature—has launched a campaign during the Animal Welfare Fortnight (January 17-31) to promote a better understanding between Man and his closest associate in the animal kingdom—Dog!
The Animal Welfare Fortnight will come to a close on January 31 this year. But, the efforts of ‘Vatavaran’ to implement what they have started during this fortnight will continue till it yields the desired results.
‘Vatavaran’ is an environmental NGO headed by noted zoologist and environmentalist, Dr. Iqbal Malik. For its outstanding contribution to the society is has won many laurels including ‘Best Practices Award’ by the United Nations Cell on Human Settlements for the years 2000 as well as 2006.
Dr. Iqbal Malik and her colleagues at ‘Vatavaran’ have conducted a thorough study of various types of Dogs and their behaviour vis-à-vis their human counterparts. They have also produced an interesting Power Point presentation which provides a detailed manual for Dog Management by transforming street dogs into colony dogs.
The presentation deals with (1) how an increase in population of dogs and human beings affects incidents of dog bites; (2) how and when dog bites occur; and (3) situations which disturb dogs and drive them to bite people.
Not only have they tried to explain as to why there are dogs in our colonies but have gone on to suggest measures to manage them in such a way that Man and Dogs may have a more meaningful relationship instead of being apprehensive of each other.
The presentation has a section which helps us to understand dog behaviour and read their mind by learning to interpret their actions and inactions. It also tells us as to how we should react to display of aggression, barking, digging by dogs.
It might surprise many readers but studies reveal that the ratio of dog bites by pet dogs is more in relation to dog bites by street dogs. This is because most dogs we consider pets are not pets in the real sense of the word. They are groomed to protect their masters. Hence, they are trained to be aggressive. This is at the root of the problem.
There is a very real need for masters to undergo training along with their pet dogs to ensure that they do not indulge in unnecessary confrontations.
To understand dogs better, please log on to:
www.vatavaran.org
http://www.funtrivia.com
It was Man who domesticated dogs to meet his own ends. We find street dogs because we brought them here and left them to fend for themselves. So, the problem of street dogs in a problem of our own creation. In reconciliation, let us respond to this situation by adopting street dogs and make them colony dogs. This would be in the best interests of dogs as well as human beings.
We cannot pay a better tribute to the Animal Welfare Fortnight than this…
