A Small Dog

Dogs with No Class

Posted on 15. Nov, 2008 by Jeff K. in About Dogs in General

Let me begin this article by stating emphatically that I believe anyone who owns a pet assumes a tremendous responsibility for the welfare of that pet. While many pets would probably find a way to be self-sufficient in the wild, when they are in our care, we are obligated to provide them with everything they need to live healthy and comfortable lives. Having said that, I want to tell you a short story about a dog without a roof over its head.

I have mentioned elsewhere that in addition to helping run Kelsey’s Dog House, I also work as an airline pilot for a major carrier. My “night job” takes me to many places that are culturally different from the United States. These days, I primarily fly to Latin America. A couple of weeks ago, I flew a trip to San Jose, Costa Rica. After laying over for a day in town, I returned to the airport with the rest of the crew to fly the leg back to Atlanta. Upon arrival at the airport, I discovered I had left an important personal item back at the hotel. The hotel staff was gracious enough to retrieve the item from my hotel room and send it to me via taxi, provided I wait for the item outside the airport. So there I was, standing in the morning sun by the employee entrance to the San Jose Airport, waiting for the taxi by myself. Nearby, there was a guard house next to the airport’s service entrance. Next to the guard house was some overgrown grass and shrubs. As I waited, movement in the grass caught my eye. The movement turned out to be a small, young dog, that looked to be a cross between a German Shepard and a Beagle. The dog bounded out of the grass and began to do his morning stretch routine on the asphalt near the guard house. Moments after the dog emerged, a homeless man sat up in the high grass. He was awakening after a night’s sleep near the guard house. The man rose, picked up a light blue blanket from the grass, folded it and gave it to the guard manning the post.

“Buenos dias. Como estas?” said the guard.

“Mui bien. Gracias,” the homeless man replied. The dog wagged his tail as he looked at the guard.

Then the homeless man walked over to the employee restroom area next to the guard house and washed himself at an outdoor spigot. Meanwhile, his dog was busy rolling on the pavement, scratching his back, as he waited for his master to return. I should mention that both the dog and the homeless man appeared to be in good physical health and well-fed. Costa Ricans, as a whole are very sweet and generous people, and I believe the guards at the airport probably watched out for the man and his dog, judging from the blanket they provided them and from the kindly way they spoke to them. Both the homeless man and the dog appeared very content, especially in each other’s company.

*******

Kelsey’s Dog House provides grooming service for the dogs of a few celebrities that live in Atlanta. At one time we thought of billing ourselves as “Groomers to the Stars!” but we soon got over that silliness. Even though some of the dogs we serve live glamorous lives, they still behave like every other dog in our care.

Among dogs, there is no such thing as class consciousness or class-oriented behavior. That form of judgment and action is reserved for other animals, including many people. Dogs enjoy being whoever they are with as long as that person treats them well. Whether you are rich or poor, famous or unknown, sloppy or tidy, suave and sophisticated or socially awkward, your dog will love you just the same. I believe that is the essence of unconditional love.

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