Life's A Bitch

A grand wedding for 27 couples just entered the Guinness Book of Records - and it's for dogs.

I often wonder about man's fascination with dogs. True, a dog can be a friend, especially when all others fail you. But the extent to which some of us pamper our dogs is baffling.

Some put specially made Manchester United shirts over their dogs (which is irritating because I'm a Pool fan). Others have special combs and shampoos for them. Yet others buy them toys more expensive than the ones Mattel recalled.

Not that I'm against having dogs, or pets in general for that matter. Pets can give you a kind of sanity in a mad world like ours. However, "herofying" dogs like the new Hollywood cartoon show just doesn't sit well with me. Not every dog is a Lassie.

I once had a relationship with a pet dog too. As crude as it may sound, that bitch and I didn't work out.

Since then, it's always annoying to hear people referring to themselves as the dog's parents.

"Oooh, I miss you whole day, baby. Come to mummy!"

"See what daddy got you for dinner - the cat from next door!"

There's even this current pop song that's a tribute to the singer's dog who died. The lyrics go something like:

I remember you licking my hand / Then pass me the ball in your mouth / Ask me to go play with you / You like me fondling your ears / And hold you in me / No worries / Fantasising / Oh good dog, good dog.

Is that disgusting or what?

In all honesty, I used to like my dog quite a lot. But times were poor, and we couldn't afford to keep her. It didn't help that she wasn't toilet-trained. So off she went.

Then I heard the new owner also let her go shortly. And she became a stray. When I learnt about it, I cried the whole night. (I was in primary school, so crying was allowed.)

If that mushy song has been written 20 years ago, I would have related to it well. But not now. My heart is hardened.

Like all response to setbacks, man learns to build a defence mechanism against potential hurt. Man's best friend is experience.

Contribution:
Article - Darren
Images - Rodney (courtesy of Google Image)