Interesting Things That Dogs Do

Mar 04, 2004

IF dogs could talk it would take a lot of the fun out of owning one. These were the words of renowned American journalist Andy Rooney, who found so much fun in watching the amazing things that dogs can do without being able to talk. He added, “The average dog is a nicer person that the average per

By Charles Wendo
IF dogs could talk it would take a lot of the fun out of owning one. These were the words of renowned American journalist Andy Rooney, who found so much fun in watching the amazing things that dogs can do without being able to talk. He added, “The average dog is a nicer person that the average person.”
What else could he say about a creature that can make you laugh all day, and therefore relieving your stress if you care to listen to (or rather watch) them?
Dr Samuel Majalija, a veterinary doctor at the International Pet Centre, Kamwokya, is amazed that a poodle belonging to his friend is able to detect the owner when she is on her way home. The gateman, maid and shamba boy all rush to put everything in order the moment this dog gives them the alert. And they will have enough time, because the poodle notifies them while the boss is still a few kilometres away. Thanks to the poodle, she will never catch any of her workers by surprise.
“The moment she is within a few kilometres the dog begins to bark, pacing up and down until she arrives,” says Majalijja.
Moses Bunya, a teacher who resides in Zzana, Kampala often laughs his head off when his dog dives into the air for little insects. He keenly watches as the dog misses an insect or two before catching another. “I wonder whether he can even feel those little insects between his teeth,” he says.
The insect dive, however, is minor fun compared to this: “My German Shepherd times me when I am speaking on phone, climbs on my laps and tries to lick my lips. It is as if he is trying to kiss me,” says an expatriate who does not want to be named. “He does this all the time. Perhaps he just wants attention.”
Experts exonerate the German shepherd. Dogs do not really know about kissing the way human beings know. They, however, tend to lick human beings as well as fellow dogs to show affection.
David Hisabwe, canine development manager, Armor Group, is amazed at how dogs detect weapons. In one instance Hisabwe and his colleagues wrapped a bomb and hid in heap of bags and other items in order to test a sniff dog. The dog came swinging left and right, throwing things apart and sniffing its way to the wrapped bomb. It ripped off the wrapping but did not touch the bomb. It just remained watching until his trainers arrived. “I get amazed at how they get what they are looking for,” he says.
The New Vision’s Education Editor, Keturah Kamugasa, has a dog that you could easily consider as jealous. Bingo becomes suspicious of every man who appears to be close to Kamugasa. “She would look at them suspiciously, sniffing them cautiously” she says.
At home Bingo knows Kamugasa’s chair, and tries to stop other people from sitting on it. “If anybody else sat on my chair Bingo would bark,” she says.
Juliet Mango, a teacher, has a dog that keeps off trespassers. He charges at them and as they run away screaming, the dog goes back to lie quiet on the veranda as if nothing has happened. “I see him looking innocent and I laugh my head off,” she says.
Perhaps David Starr Jordan observed this when he wrote: “When a dog barks at the moon, then it is religion; but when he barks at strangers, it is patriotism.”
Who then says dogs are just dogs?
Ends

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