…and give us our daily bone

I love chewing my bone outside in the garden. Of course together with Mali, who imitates me in everything. Quite annoying, but at least I can say I’m a role model.

not so flattering shot, I know… but I don’t mind.

Hey, Paparazzi, can you stop this!

that’s on rainy days … our daily bone in Alpha Su’s attic

dog ancestry

Apparently, we were domesticated from our wolf ancestors about 15,000 years ago. This date would make us, the K9s,  the first species to be domesticated by humans.

Evidence suggests that we were first domesticated in East Asia, possibly China, and some of the peoples who entered North America took us with them from Asia.

The wolf. Illustration: The wolf approaches a sheepfold like a dog, stealthily and silently, without waking the shepherd. His eyes shine at night like lamps.

As humans migrated around the planet a variety of K9 forms migrated with them. The agricultural revolution and subsequent urban revolution led to an increase in the dog population and a demand for specialization. These circumstances would provide the opportunity for selective breeding to create specialized working dogs and pets.

This all shows that the relationship between human and canine has deep roots.

So who exactly are we? How did we become these more than recognised 800 breeds and uncountable mongrels?
“Dogs are not simply domesticated wolves. They are truly their own species, shaped by the same process that created coyotes and other canids that have split from each other on the family tree. Perhaps by viewing dogs as deformed or substandard wolves created by people, we fundamentally misunderstand and underestimate them as the unique species that they are.”

How true!

Dogs in Ancient Egypt - was Anubis a Basenji?

Today I found a very interesting blog, The Basenji in Ancient Egyptian Art, investigating the relationship between dogs featuring in murals and other artefacts of the ancient Egypt - and the existing breed of the Basenji. The first picture shows the god Anubis.

“Anubis was a very old god of the ancient Egyptians, universally worshipped throughout the land. Typical of the deities from the Egyptian pantheon, Anubis is often pictured with a human body and an animal head—just what species of head is the subject of some debate. That so many of the Egyptian gods have animal heads or other “creature features” does not mean that this culture worshipped rams, ibises, hawks, beetles, hippopotamuses, or the like. Rather, the animal head illustrates “an attribute of the divinity that characterizes its being. Many proud basenji owners who are aware of their breed’s link to ancient Egypt will argue that basenjis were the inspiration for Anubis. Evidence does exist to support this claim.”

Now look at these photos of Basenjis:

To me the similarity with good old Anubis seems obvious!

guard dog

I am a retriever, that’s obvious, but look what I found in the sand at the beach:

Shocking, isn’t it? This poor little girl has been buried there, although she doesn’t seem to be unhappy about it. Anyway, I’ll keep guarding her until someone claims her back…

boooring day

It has been raining all day long. They say, the garden needs it, yes, but I don’t. This is not funny at all. I just feel absolutely bored, tired, and the only highlight will be my DINNER … soon, hopefully!

dogs in Hinduism

It is very interesting reading about the role dogs play in various religions. Here some details about dogs in Hinduism, mainly during the Tihar festival that falls roughly in November every year.

A dog after being decorated in Kukur tihar , the “dogs’ Day” in Nepal

During the Nepalese Tihar Festival, on Day Two: On the second day of Tihar, Kukur (Dogs) are adorned with flower garlands, red tika on their forehead, and are offered food, they are the king of the day! On this day, people pray to the Kukur to guard their homes. There are lots of stray Kukur, but on this day, even the most unsightly Kukur will be treated like a king, every dog has a day. Tihar is also about breaking the boundaries only men created, “The Good”, “The Bad”, “The Ugly”! In Hinduism it is believed that Kukur guards the underworld empire.

Shepherd Chature with garland

Dogs have a major religious significance among the Hindu in Nepal and some parts of India. . In Hinduism, it is believed that the dog is a messenger of Yama, the angel of death, and dogs guard the doors of Heaven. Socially, they are believed to the protectors of our homes and lives. So, in order to please the dogs they are going to meet at Heaven’s doors after death, so they would be allowed in Heaven, people mark the 14th day of the lunar cycle in November as Kukur-tihar, as known in Nepali language for the dog’s day. This is a day when the dog is worshipped by applying tika (the holy vermilion dot), incense sticks and garlanded generally with marigold flower.

” A dog plays many roles in our society. We have dogs in our houses as guardian of the house. As the legend also says that there is a dog at yama’s gate guarding the gate to the underworld. The dog is also the steed of the fearful Bhairab, the god of destruction. So on this day a big red tika is put on a dog’s forehead and a beautiful garland around the neck. After worshipping the dog, it is given very delicious meal. This day the saying ‘every dog has his day’ comes true; for even a stray dog is looked upon with respect. We pray to the dog to guard our house as he guards the gate of the underworld and to divert destruction away from our homes. On this day you can see dogs running around with garlands on their neck.” (Festivals of Nepal)

So, at least for one day, dogs have a good life in Nepal…

I did it again

Oh Lord, I have to confess… I did it again. Today. At around 2pm, when nobody was watching. The thing is, as I’m black, they think it’s a shadow disappearing through the front door, and then they forget about it. Of course, sooner or later, they start wondering where I am, they become more and more frantic in their search effort, and finally they’ll realise that I’ve done it again. Ha!

No, I never said I was an angel. The horrible torture device, this electric collar, they sent it away last year because they thought they would never need it for me again. The people where one of my daughters, Lily, lives wanted to try it on Lily. She seems to have inherited the same sudden urge to wander off, just like me.

So now they might ask the collar back. I escaped today, I couldn’t help it. There was some irresistible smell of roasted meat in the air, and I had just to follow my nose. Which led me into areas of my village I had never been before. Kitchen doors were rudely shut at me, nasty people chased me away, and finally, very frustrated, I ended up in a horse stable where I just filled my groaning stomach with dry horse food reminding me of sawdust.

My way home was hard work then, as the horse food started to form a heavy lump inside me. They were not exactly pleased to see me coming back, although I tried my best smile and all my charme.

No hugs and kisses, no relief or treats. I got a very modest dinner (couldn’t have coped with a big one anyway), whereas Mali engulfed a huge bowl of glorious food. Oh well, I’ll retire now to digest. Probably I’ll have to chase them up in the night because of an urgent need… either through my guts, or my throat!

flower power

Would you believe that this photo was taken only 4 weeks ago? You can still see patches of snow amongst the daffodils, and now it’s steaming hot outside! I’m not sure what I prefer… the heat makes me sleepy, I think I am a real dog from the Arctic Labrador!

catching moles and rabbits

Here you can see my daughter Mali, a professional mole catcher. She takes her work very seriously and digs the whole garden over if you don’t stop her.  However she has indeed caught one or two moles, I must admit.

The best place to watch rabbits is high above the sea,  on the cliffs. They tend to hide in the shrubs, these little monsters, no chance to catch them…