(MY)- Letter re: wonderful dogs

[Guest guest]

Lucky and Flo show dogs are wonderful animals - Malaysiakini.com

Anthony Thanasayan

Aug 28, 07 3:15pm Adjust font size:

 

We refer to the malaysiakini report Doggone great: Medals for Lucky and Flo.

 

 

PetPositive applauds the government for bestowing special medals to

disc-sniffing dog duo Lucky and Flo in Putrajaya. Needless to say, the

unusual top-level honours presented to the pair of Labrador Retrievers

was not only well-earned but also unprecedented in the history of our

nation.

 

There are a number of important lessons that we as human beings can

all draw from our authorities' exemplary action in recognising the

contributions of these special canine visitors to our country.

 

They are:

 

 

Dogs are such wonderful creatures. Given the right kind of support,

training and love, human beings can peacefully and successfully

coexist with animals. One need not be fearful about canines or find

them a nuisance.

 

 

All of God's creations, no matter how lowly some people may consider

them to be, need to be loved and appreciated. Dogs, in particular,

need to be respected and even protected from harm's way. Dogs often

become victims of human cruelty because they are naturally trusting in

nature and in most cases would rather suffer hurt than retaliate with

their fangs.

 

 

All dogs have value and worth whether they are a pedigree or a non-pedigree.

 

 

All religion teaches us to be kind to animals. Dogs, in particular,

are used in many of the world's great religions from Islam to Hinduism

to teach us the finer points of life and faith.

 

 

Dogs take on many roles when participating with their human families.

They make great companions as pets, work as excellent police, search

and rescue dogs, assist the handicapped and the elderly to lead more

independent and happier lives and even provide therapy and healing for

the sick and the dying. All these fully-trained special dogs should be

given the right of access to public areas without question when they

are performing their duties.

Given all these excellent traits, it is only right that all of us do

our part to give canines and all other animals the respect they truly

deserve whether they are pets in our homes or strays on the streets.

 

Now that Lucky and Flo are no longer with us, it is important that

their legacy is carried on for all of the local canines in our

country. Our local councils should come up with laws that are not only

kind and fair to pets and their owners but also come up with local

awards for dogs and their owners who show good examples to the others

citizens in our society.

 

Special awards and assistance by the local councils should also be

given to the many unsung ordinary Malaysians who volunteer their time,

money and even their lives to rescue unwanted and distressed animals

in a tireless effort to place them in loving and permanent homes.

 

The writer is president, Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the

Disabled and Elderly Association (PetPositive).