I’ve told you about Poco’s tragedy. After what happened, I couldn’t bring myself to even look at Astro. It’s like seeing him in a different light. And I wondered how Sam would feel about him, if she would like him less, if she would care for him less. Sam cried for two days and two nights. She shut herself in her bedroom for 24 hours and, after that, she still couldn’t talk about the incident without breaking in tears. I told her many people have suffered worse losses — husbands, wives, children, parents — and they bounced back and moved on. The afternoon she suggested that we take Astro for a walk around the neighborhood, I knew she was going to be okay. That afternoon walk is a story all its own.
Sam knew I wanted to take photos. We agreed that we’d go around the neighborhood twice. She’d bring Astro on the first round, then take him back to the house and get her camera so she could take photos too on the second round. So, I got my camera while she attached the short leash on Astro’s collar.
We hadn’t gone more than a dozen meters when the barking and the growling began. Every house with a dog that we passed, the dogs stood in front of the houses, looked at us and barked. Noisily. Angrily. A few started walking towards us and I was scared that there would be a repeat of what happened with Poco.
But Astro was in a good mood. He was happily sniffing everything he passed by — insects, grass, flowers (which he didn’t like) and even the pavement. Sam had him in under control.
But as we walked farther, the barking dogs increased in number and volume of the barking echoed ominously. Some of the neighbors had stepped out of their houses to see what was going on. The dogs from the houses we already passed were still barking (some were growling) and the dogs in the houses we were approaching were all out too, barking and growling. The noise was coming from all directions — from behind, from both sides and in front of us. I told Sam to hurry so that we could reach the open space soon, the area where there were no houses yet. I just felt that everyone would be safer there — her, me and Astro.
We didn’t talk about the strange afternoon until we got back to the house. Sam said maybe Poco told all the dogs in the neighborhood what Astro had done to him and that was why they were angry at him. Had she giggled when she said that, I would have laughed. But she wasn’t trying to be funny. It was as though she was half-wishing that some part of Poco is still there — with us, with her. I studied philosophy in college and I’ve come across the concept of “animism” so I couldn’t say she was talking nonsense. I told her, “Maybe.”
Yes, maybe.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
chris 07.16.08 at 8:53 am
Dogs bark for a number of reason, aggression and greeting included. You can sometimes tell when a dog is barking in fear, or even anger. It might be that Astro’s a natural alpha, and he’s stressing out all the other dogs and their territorial instincts. Either way make sure your leash on him is firm and secure. It also might be a good time to teach him how to heel or respond to “no”. That might save a dog’s life in the future.
Connie Veneracion 07.16.08 at 9:11 am
Sam seems to be the only one he bows to. Sam can sshhh him and he acts like a baby when he’s with her.
Asianmommy 07.16.08 at 10:47 am
That’s really interesting. I wonder how much dogs really know & understand in the world.
Mik 07.16.08 at 12:02 pm
Hi, C.
Astro probably sees Sam as his alpha so that’s why he obeys her. There is a potential problem though, if he doesn’t see the rest of the family as alphas. Dogs respond to a pecking order and they use aggression to subdue those they see that are lower in the family pack than they are. He probably saw Poco as lower down in the ranks, or wrestled with him for top rank and won.
If there’s no one else in your family that he sees (apart from Sam) as “above” him in rank, it might develop into a bigger problem later on.
I’ve always stayed away from dominant dogs like rotties and pitbulls because they are dogs that need structure and a strict pecking order. They constantly test their alphas kasi nga they are dominant dogs. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but owners have to be consistent with discipline and control at all times.
And I agree with Chris, at least teaching him to heel or respond to “no” will be useful in the future, to avoid similar incidents, or worse incidents (he might go after the cat, or even someone in the family who he thinks is “beneath” his rank.
Goodluck and hope training goes smoothly!
ben 07.16.08 at 12:14 pm
It’s Planet of the Dogs, i think.
ben 07.16.08 at 12:16 pm
and not to be confused with where we live, either, which i call ‘Country of the Dogs’.
BlogusVox 07.16.08 at 4:38 pm
My father once have a big black dog who also happens to be the top dog in the neighborhood. He’s on leash if there are visitors because his intimidating and he bites. The 1st time we met was when I came home for vacation. He just sits alert but never growl or bark. I on the other hand just looked at him until he looked the other way. We’re good but we kept our distance.
I think an intelligent dog can sense if a stranger is a long lost member of the pack and out-ranked him by just observing.
Sam 07.16.08 at 6:31 pm
Pinapayat niyo siya. Ginugutom niyo ‘yan pag nasa school ako ‘no!
Connie Veneracion 07.16.08 at 7:04 pm
Mahiya ka nga, Sam! Kulang na lang kainin ni Astro yung mga paint brush at roller brush; anong ginugutom?
tiyoalan 07.16.08 at 10:55 pm
Dogs only live in the present. They don’t dwell on the past, and they don’t think of the future. I don’t want to be nagging you but “Dog whisperer”.
ED M. 07.17.08 at 12:38 am
Sangayon ako sa sinabi ni Mik at chris Connie, binaban na nga yata ang ganyang breed ng aso sa ibang bansa at ibang states sa US, mixed man o hindi, kaya lang ‘ramdam ko rin ang pagmamahal ni Sam kay Astro. Harinawa ay lumaking mabait ang huli at nang lumigaya si Sam at sampu ng inyong mga kasama sa piling niya.
geri 07.17.08 at 2:02 am
The description of all the dogs in the neighborhood barking took me back to the Philippines. I only hear dogs bark and growl here once in a while. And if they do the dog owners would seem embarrassed.
Jokjok 07.17.08 at 7:47 am
The dog looks malnourished.
Connie Veneracion 07.17.08 at 11:52 am
That’s your fourth comment in this blog and I’m still wondering if you’re capable of not being anything but a provocateur and an asshole, Jokjok. Your name reflects your mind.
Rudy Portugal 07.20.08 at 5:54 am
The dog seems to be very healthy. it doesn’t look malnourished like Jocjoc said. Pitbulls are very good dogs. It depends on how they are trained. They can trained to be violent or fighting dogs.On the other hand they can be trained to be house dogs and they can be trusted to look after the kids.
sunshine 07.21.08 at 11:41 am
re barking of the other dogs…i remember a couple of years back…after several operations and medications, our old dog became so weak, she had cataract and a big lump of swollen and distended hernia and barely walks…after 15 years with us, we still didnt want to pay to have her put to sleep…however, one morning when we woke up, her big lump had burst with blood all around her..we knew then that it was time to let her rest…we called the vet for assistance…just before the vet came, she mustered all her strength to stand up and wag her tail..it was so heart wrenching my mom and i left the house…before the vet came our dog barked for a few minutes…and when she was injected with the meds…all the dogs ,it seemed, in the entire neighborhood were barking like crazy…outside our gate were a slew of other dogs barking their hearts out..it seemed that our dog’s bark communicated something and the rest were either mourning or condoling her…it was unbelievable…
gigi 07.22.08 at 4:35 am
waahh!!! spooky!!! so.. do dogs really see aswangs and the like?
Connie Veneracion 07.22.08 at 8:09 am
sunshine, I also think they are able to communicate. That scene in 102 Dalmatians when the pups sought help to escape, it really doesn’t seem so fantastic. Just a dramatized version of animal communication.
Gigi, dunno LOL I’ve read that they have keener senses which would probably explain why they can sense things that we can’t.