Chapter 05
Metta Meditation for Dogs
I fear for all Ceylonese dogs even those who are stray.
They are trained to be aggressive by their owners, especially the tiny breeds.
They have acquired many of our human bad habits.
Dogs are dedicated to their owners by default. Restricting them to a kennel is inhumane, if not tied with a tether.
A leash is a rope or similar material used to control an animal by attaching it to a collar, harness, or halter. In British English, a leash is generally for a larger possibly a dangerous or aggressive animal but lead being more commonly used.
If one should not have enough space, one should not be rearing a dog.
Taking of the leash out is the first kind action one can to do to a dog.
This rule has to change if one is walking the dog in a public place.
In Ceylon dogs are kept to discourage intruders but invariably they are aggressive to unexpected visitors.
Dogs get scarred with strangers just like kids. It is natural but if they are treated with absolute kindness over time they become less aggressive.
In my analysis, dogs perform important roles.
They are the only human companion when one is demented or vagrant or destitute.
They are the only link for human to have any association with heaven or Deva with the premise that all dogs go to heaven without exception.
The third is the most important and to the link to the Dhamma which is the Rebirth principle.
The dogs are supposed to be reborn as gods.
So any restraint or cruelty to a dog is inhumane, to say the least.
Let me take the restraint first which is cruel. They should be let free as “stray dogs” in Ceylon.
They find their way.
Let me start with my story.
Panideniya Stray dogs
All the dogs in the Panideniya Junction would follow me the moment, I enter there. I feed them with not bread but sweet sponge cakes. It is good business, for the Muslim tea maker. All the sweet stuff including Gnanakatha and sponge cakes available, a minimum of three pieces are bought by me and dished out.
The leader of the pack was a bitch and nobody could touch any piece until she has had her big portion. Over time, I place the pieces in rotation, for each one of them to partake. They began to corporate.
When the coronavirus hit us I stopped going out and i do not know what happened to them. Most likely they quickly realised the predicament and went on their own ways and found a suitable master. When, restrictions were relaxed, I did venture out only in a three wheeler and I trained my three wheeler driver to feed them. The dogs knew the feeds were coming with my compliments.
Then I left Ceylon and leaving them astray.
This the story of our dogs.
Unlike the citizens they never complain but adopt to the impending scenario.
“Chun Pan” was their only survival.
Use of Restraint
Leather is a durable, natural material that provides strong, long lasting animal restraint, often in the form of muzzles or halters, while rope is a flexible cord that can be used in various ways to control movement, from a simple tether to a specialised muzzle or halter. The choice depends on the animal, the purpose of restraint and the desired method of control, with leather offering greater durability and rope offering more versatility in application.
Leather is natural, durable material known for its longevity and strength but very expensive. I had a collection and dished them out to whom I cannot remember before leaving Ceylon.
May be to the guy who used to feed all the dogs as a routine.
The common use is as muzzles for dogs to prevent biting and in halters for horses to provide a secure yet comfortable fit.
Rope is the generic term for a long, flexible cord made from fibres or wires. They can be fashioned into muzzles, tied as a tether to a post or area, or used in specialised rope halters that apply pressure to the head. They are cheaper versatile and adaptable to different restraint needs, such as a muzzle or tether. But they are less durable than leather and requires consistent tension to remain secure.
Rope vs Tether
When it comes to controlling animals, both ropes and tethers serve the same primary purpose, to provide a physical means of restraint.
Bitget
Bitget is used for basic equine handling, restraint and more importantly for training.
Choice of Dogs
Dogs were at one time were wolfs.
They were used as helpers in hunting by our prehistoric man.
There are over 400 dog breeds.
Their behavioural traits include guarding, herding, and hunting, and personality traits such as social behaviour, boldness, and aggression.
So it is important one should choose one with social attitudes and not for hunting.
AI can be used to analyse dog breeds, such as in creating AI generated dog images or determining the top breeds in different regions.
Dog breeds are diverse classifications of dogs, each with specific physical and temperamental traits, which are categorised by kennel clubs like the American Kennel Club (AKC) into groups like working, herding and sporting.
What are Dog Breeds?
A dog breed is a particular type of dog with a common set of heritable characteristics and a recognised breed standard, often set by a kennel club. Kennel clubs, such as the American Kennel Club (AKC), group breeds based on their original purpose, such as working, herding, sporting, hound, terrier, toy and non sporting groups.
The breeds are diverse.
There are over 400 recognised dog breeds, each with unique traits developed through selective breeding for specific functions or appearances. Because of their diversity it is becoming useful AI generated information to choose a dog breed.
AI can be used to generate images of different dog breeds or even combinations of breeds, like the AI generated breeds. AI tools can analyse data on dog breeds, for example, to determine the most popular breeds in different state or region. AI can process information to identify trending dog breeds and popularity of a particular breed which are useful for dog breeder.
Dog Breeding
Those who breed dogs for sale are typically called dog breeders or in the case of unethical operations, puppy farmers or puppy mills. A dog breeder is anyone who raises and cares for dogs with the intent to produce and sell puppies. Puppy farmers are a specific type of unscrupulous breeder that prioritises the profit over the welfare of the animals.
Dog Breeder
A person who raises and cares for dogs, including breeding and training them for sale. An unethical breeder that keeps parent animals in poor conditions and repeatedly breeds them for profit, often with little regard for the health of the puppies health their well being is a conduct unbecoming. Unscrupulous breeders are known to keep parent animals and their offspring in poor conditions, leading to health problems and potential diseases for the puppies. The cruelty to this animal the so called man’s best friend goes far beyond the stray dog category and that is why I call “Metta Meditation” to all beings is the fundamental principle.
Becoming a vegetarian is the beginning of this principle of universality of surfeiting of all beings. The escape and emancipation is the Dhamma Principle.
Even the attachment to this friendly species may be a hindrance to the wayfarer or the will for the path entry. There is a caveat here for me. I have a few of my friends and all my dog friends a bounden due to make them see the pathway.
So, I am going to delay my path entry, until I see all of them and say “Good Bye” at least once.
That is the bottom line for my dog stories.
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