Singapore is still early with the “have a dog as part of my life” lifecycle. While I do not recall ever seeing a stray, I also do not see many pets. When I do, I take notice. I am not sure if my attention comes from the fact that I miss two dogs that were part of my life for many years. It could also be that I have had far more positive dog experience than scary ones. Whatever the reason, it is fun to observe and at times get to be with a Singaporean dog.
The only difference in a Singapore pet is that they are multilingual. Mandarin, Malay, and Singlish are as natural to them as English. From obedient to rascals, they are the same as their American and English counterparts, only this time the communication is in a different language.
There are two aspects that stand out to me. First, the love between a caretaker and pet is universal. There is something wonderfully unconditional in a dog’s response to a caretaker. It does not matter how long s/he has been gone, the warmth is there on the return. Yesterday’s bad event is so long ago that the pet does not remember! It is always about here, now, and us.
In every culture there is a dog, often more than one, that only a caretaker could love. It is a mysterious, defying normal beauty boundaries, kind of love that just is. I look at the dog and wonder how the wiry, sparsely haired, spotted skinned animal was the pick of the litter, but s/he was and is! With looks that fit a cliché, they are part of a family. Loved, pampered, and protected, they give as much as they get.
The unconditional acceptance and love on display triggers a whisper of truth. When you think of what a non-appealing, just as I am dog would say, it comes out like the note a writer left us long ago; “Many gasp in alarm when they see me, but you take me in stride.” (Psalm 71.7)
