There is nothing new in the row over strays in Bangalore. The city has always had those who abhorred getting rid of dogs and those who completely eschewed these “furry foes”. The reasons why the dog dodgers shun these mongrels are many: Besides their barks and bites, the flea bags woo the neighbour’s pedigree Pomeranian, they empty their bladders on their scooter tyres, sniff out the kids from their hideouts when they are playing I spy or wake up the whole neighbourhood when the man is trying to sneak into the house without letting the wife know after a night out with the boys.
Among the dog lovers are those who consider strays as disposable dogs but use their foreign breeds to move up in society. While Alsatians and Pomeranians used to be the most popular pedigree pups some time ago, Hollywood hits and television commercials have triggered a mad rush for breeds like Dalmatians, Pugs and Great Danes. And with this, like the city’s population, its dog mix too has turned cosmopolitan, with a lot of mixed breeding thrown in. And so, one fire morning, the proud dog owner is aghast at seeing the pups from her spotted Dalmatian’s litter resemble the neighbourhood mongrel.
Dogs are sought for various reasons. For some it is fashionable to have a pedigree pet, some have them for the real love of animals and others to discourage burglars and salesman. Hence, today, besides the ubiquitous “No Parking” board on the gates of houses, the sign “Beware of Dog” warns anyone trying to barge into the house. But with a spurt in demand for pedigree breeds that command fancy prices, the very dogs that are reared to keep burglars away are stolen by thieves, who sell them off for a premium.
After acquiring a pet, naming it is another exercise in itself. While there are several common names that are typically given to dogs, a few owners name them after comic book characters like Jerry or Snoopy or famous dogs in movies like Benji. The family sits around the uncomplaining new arrival in the house and drops names like Tommy, Jimmy, Timmy, Ramu…The little black Labrador, who is probably of a very high lineage, maybe the offspring of a prize winning pedigree named Maria, waits with his paws crossed as the most bizarre names fly around. His hope for a decent name finally ends. The little one then cringes as the family settles on “Karia” (son of Maria), but has no option but to answer to the name, for he is supposed to be man’s best friend.
