One of the most hated and loved creature of God is Dog. Opinions regarding the dog, so deeply associated with human life, have also been expressed by various religions. Egyptians, Persians considered killing of dog a crime. In Greek mythology its role is abundantly expressed in poetry, sculpture, and literature. According to the Old Testament, dog is considered a pariah among animals. In Bible there are some forty references about the dog, all of them derogatory. An English philosopher has defined dog “an honorary human being. Muslims consider it as un-clean.
Archeological findings reveal that dog existed on earth some 25 to 30 million years ago. This animal’s scientific name is Cynodesmus or Tomarctus. The friendship between dog and man is one of the oldest and most lasting in history. In all the vicissitudes of life, in peace and war, in misery and wealth, in art and hunting, defense, companionship and sports, man has been accompanied by the dog. Poetry and theater also resounded with love of dog: one need only mention Shakespeare.
It is estimated that population of dogs in the world today is 120 to 150 million. Not all of them are happy dogs. Many are victims of abandonment, by ungrateful masters or street traffic and of vivisection. On the contrary the dog has made a great contribution simply in offering its own disinterested companionship and affection. How many people have been loved by little dog? How much warmth has such a dog brought to a bereaved family? People who no longer believed in affection have given up suicide because of a dog. The dog has brought value to the lives of the emotionally impoverished with its gift of devotion, its living presence, and its tail wagging with a love of life.
Of all domestic animals, the dog is one that adapted most easily to living with man, becoming used to his presence and learning to obey him. He is faithful to his master never to deceive him. He is a source of vision to a blind master. He is a full time, unpaid, guard of man’s property and honor and will not hesitate to sacrifice his own life to save his master’s. He also provides entertainments if trained. He is good for thousand jobs. He helps in tracing criminals, murderers, smugglers and narcotics. The only reward in return he demands is “Please don’t hate meâ€.
Question to ponder is; what man has learned from a dog? Has he learned to be faithful to his master (GOD)? Has he learned loyalty, obedience, sacrifice, tolerance, love and affection? If the answer is affirmative, then why he (Man) is living like beasts? Therefore, it is obvious that there is always a beast in a man and a man in a Dog.
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