This week's Independent News & Media Irish regional newspapers' column.
Michael Commane
Happy must be four months old. He has a lovely face and gorgeous eyes. He’s small and looks up at you with an adoring smile.
But it’s been a tough few months. When he arrived in their house, he was covered in fleas and was most disruptive.
Matters have greatly improved, the fleas are gone and mum, dad and the three children now adore Happy.
Happy, who is not a purebred, cost over €700. He’s a cross between a King Charles and a Bichon Frise.
When I called last week he barked but I was told it was a friendly bark as he was wagging his tail. Happy is a nice little dog and I have no doubt he brings great joy to the family and he in turn will be well cared for and loved.
The mum of the home told me that when he first arrived he was snapping at everyone. ‘He was an arrogant little fecker. He sees the world as his oyster. I felt he was not a good fit. It was during the lockdown. I had to move from home-schooling the children to looking after him. It added an extra element to the day.
‘But it has all changed now. The first thing the children do when they come down in the morning is say hello to Happy,’ mum smiles.
A dog brings positive energy to a home.
I recall my late father often saying that if people are kind to animals it’s most likely they will be kind to humans. Wise words. Any time I see people being cruel to animals I’m wondering how they behave at home.
Over the last number of weeks it has come to my attention that dog theft is on the increase. It seems that during the lockdown there has been a spike in the number of dog thefts. More and more people have been looking for dogs so that has caused an increase in their value. Isn’t that what capitalism is about, supply and demand? It seems to be how our lives are regulated from birth to death.
There have been some horrendous stories. An 85-year-old man turned to Facebook to see was there any hope he could find his 10-year-old Spaniel, who had been taken from his home.
The man said that the dog was his best friend: ‘He is more than just a dog - he is my reason to get up in the morning.’
Isn’t that simply shocking that someone could be as nasty and as mean-minded as to steal an elderly man’s dog? The great news is that the dog was found last week and dog and owner are reunited.
There have been other stories about bitches and litters being stolen. In one case a bitch had her microchip crudely removed before she was thrown on the side of the road. Eventually the owner was reunited with the dog but all the pups were gone.
Gardaí have been warning people about the problem and advising them to be more vigilant in caring for their dogs.
It is now also on the political agenda and there is a call to give more legal status to family pets. That would mean harsher punishment could be meted out to those found guilty of stealing pets.
Yes, human beings are capable of extraordinary goodness but we can also stoop so low. A dog is a great companion and we can learn so much from them.
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