Our 6-month rest moratorium has concluded with Fay noting Reggie now has that prance back in his step and Bob adds that he has also that swagger! And I am feeling rejuvenated and totally alive. No imminent threats of danger but can I share with you a secret? I am a wee bit bored.
You have been reading about my adventures and thank you for so doing. These adventures are perhaps the most amazing ever experienced by any dog let alone a rescue dog. Winning a Nobel Prize for literature, hanging out with Drake, Mr. Gordon Lightfoot, President Biden and his wife Dr. Jill, being on national television networks and meeting the Pope and the Ayatollah of Iran. I am glad that I took a break because all this was exhausting. But you know what I cherish most is the love Fay and Bob give me, belly rubs, kind words, a snuggle or two, a big bowl of chicken kibble, a bowl of cold and clean water and a walk. Of course, that piece of toast I get in the morning or a chunk of cheese that miraculously lands in my bowl are so good despite the gourmet dog food I ate on the road.
Experiencing all these wonderful adventures has been amazing and I lead a happy life but deep in my soul there is lodged a bit of hurt. I have managed it best by accepting it and moving on. Had I not it would have gnawed me to pieces. But every once and awhile it surfaces that they took Anwar away and executed him for writing “treasonous articles”. I cry to myself but pick myself up and realize I have an important job to do and that is protecting my masters Bob and Fay and Dillie the Westie. I would defend them with my life. I have a deep sense of loyalty. I also want to help my brothers and sisters languishing in unsafe conditions.
So yes I am well adjusted with an occasional bad memory but have patience or pity that many rescue dogs have internalised their pain and it eats them up with self pity and anger. They growl, snap and act up in the worst fashion. Some are so hurt and damaged no amount of training can overcome the terrible trauma they have suffered through neglect or punishment BY HUMANS. I can only hope you have compassion in your heart for these poor dogs after all it is humans that have caused the pain. Frustration and anger will do no good. My dearest hope is that with enough love, patience and training they will trust humans again. There are only a few rotten apple humans out there. I know that at Snookie’s Rescue Society who rescued me from Egypt there are often 150 applicants for each dog so I know there are many humans with big hearts that will not let us dogs down. Bob and Fay’s philanthropic organization “Reggie’s Dogs” helps Snookie’s and the foreign shelters they deal with and funds other rescue societies throughout Canada. Throw all the money you can at the problem which is what we need now but what about the problem of human abuse that simply remains and will always create a continual stream of abandoned dogs? You must change attitudes and hearts of people. Reggie’s Dogs has funded a hugely expensive pilot project in Cairo requiring anyone purchasing a dog to provide a “Certificate of Caring” attesting to the fact that the person(s) in whose name the dog will be registered has taken a 7-hour course in dog management and owner obligations. Whether this will work who knows. But I will leave you for the moment and say that humans are our worst enemies but can be our best friends.
Keeping all this in mind let us continue with some of my thoughts and adventures if you care to listen to Reggie who is “is just a dog”.
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