Even Animals Have Pride!

My neighbour, Irin has a very intelligent, ten year old Bishon Frise, Kenneth. When Irin sat herself down on the floor, immediately, Kenneth snuggled up to her. Bobby, the new addition, went up to Kenneth and sniffed on his private parts. This time, Kenneth did not snap like he usually did. Irin told me that finally Kennth has accepted Bobby as a family member!

Irin asked me to watch. She scratched Kenneth and brought her hand to his nose and said, "See, Kenneth. Very dirty and smelly.!" Immediately Kenneth growled and bared his teeth. "Ok! Don't disturb you. Very clean, very clean, ok." Immediately Kenneth returned to his old self. Irin told me that Kenneth hates to be described as dirty and smelly. I laughed. Dogs are so human like! They have their pride just like human beings.

My second sister, Ean Ean, who is living in Melbourne now, once narrated to me about an incident in the Melbourne Zoo. The zoo had just exhibited a new comer, the offspring of the gorilla. Everyone was excited about Alfie, the new kid in the block. My sister also brought her three children to the zoo. There were many other families as well. Some of the children were squealing and giggling with delight. "Big monkey! Big monkey!"

My eagled-eyed sister suddenly realised that the mother gorilla was not too happy about all the noise and giggling. Her eyes were growing more intense with anger. Suddenly she half bent her body, put her right hand behind her buttocks and pooed! My sister warned her children and everyone to run! Too late! The mother gorilla collected her poo and threw it at the crowd! One man who had his daughter on his shoulders could not run fast enough and the poo hit him right on the face! Poor guy! What an unforgettable experience for all those who had witnessed the incident. After this, the zoo keepers put up a signboard, "Please watch the gorillas quietly and respectfully!"

Animals cannot speak and we can never fully fathom what goes on in their minds and hearts. I am not a zoologist. However, from the above two incidents, we can safely conclude that animals have pride, just like human beings. Hence, if animals want to be treated with respect, how about human beings.? All the more as homo sapiens, we should respect one another, regardless of race, language, religion or strata of society.