MY DOG, MY DOG, WHY DID I NOT FORSAKE YOU?

I have a dog of my own. I did not plan, nor wanted to have one even when I was a child. Max just came to our house, and found his home.

It was an evening almost six years ago when my brother-in-law brought the Silky Terrier, which was found wandering alone lost in the rain, to our place. As he already had two dogs of his own, Max was brought over here temporarily until his owner was found. It was almost love at first sight for everyone in the family with the cute little creature with black and golden curls, as we allowed him to explore freely around our residence - a terrible mistake to be learnt only years later!

Despite notices placed in the area where he was picked up, and checks made with SPCA, no one came forward to claim the dog. Now soon, we knew why!

Max had a violent streak. In the coming days, everyone at home were chased and attacked by him, at total random. While adorable during most times, certain unknown factors seemed to trigger him to suddenly turn head and sink his canine deep into our flesh. Even jeans provided little cover. We had a mad dog.

A dog trainer was brought to assess him. Dog's have natural predisposition towards humans. The conclusion was Max was likely to have been abused before, and hence the unexplained fear of people and instinctive reaction to defend himself. We had a victimised dog.

Two choices were to be made: 1. To give Max up by letting him go or putting him to sleep 2. To try to rehabilitate him and risk more harm on ourselves. After much struggle, we chose the latter.

My dog, my dog, why did we not forsake him? I believe that it was because my family valued life and love, more than the money and effort we had to spend on an animal that we did not plan to have in the first place.

I would not label myself as an animal-lover. Besides my pets, the only animals I love are the ones served on my dining table. I do not think that animals, as argued by activists, have inalienable rights as humans do.

What I believe is this: Humans are created by God to be a higher form of being. The value of our lives are higher than those of other forms. (Hence I think animal-testing may be a necessary evil if used in medical science - although this is a different topic altogether.) At the same time, because of our higher status, humans have an ethical responsibility towards all other life - including those of animals.

We have no right to abuse or kill needlessly for vanity or convenience. These should be avoided at all possible costs, even of our own. When a person refuses to bear his ethical responsibilities, even the finest fur-coat or best animal-tested cosmetics would not be able to hide his ugliness.

Max is getting on his years now and he has become much milder and tamed since. A year ago, we even spent a mini-fortune for his eye-cataract operation. In return, he has given us much joy. The intelligent boy even plays "fetch", "tug-of-war" and even "hide-and-seek". Our choice not only gave him a life, but also brought life into our own.

My dog, my dog, I'm glad we did not forsake you!