I know Muslims are a bit averse to dogs in general, mainly because in many cases, they're not the cleanest pets nor the easiest to take care of. For a Muslim, once one has handled a dog (especially if they've slobbered one with licks and doggie kisses), then one needs to perform a 'ritual' cleansing (samak). But this does not mean that Muslims can't have dogs as pets, it just means that those who do, will need to be a bit more attentive to the cleanliness aspect of owning a dog. Dogs are mentioned in the Quran as having been used in hunting in Arabia. There is also a popular Hadith about a sinful man who took the effort to collect some water in order to give a stray dog a drink, and because of this act of kindness, God forgave him his sins (all of it? I don't know, but at least some of it for sure!)
Aunt Audrey and Uncle Peter have had two border collies named Hamish and McGregor for more than 12 years now. Needless to say, they both love these cute little (well, not so little... each of them weigh about as much as I do!) rascals to death! And with these faces, how can ANYONE not love them to death?
This one is Hamish, by the way. You can tell the difference between the two because Hamish has a half black nose, while McGregor is a perfect show dog with a nose. McGregor is also slighly bigger than Hamish, but make no mistake that Hamish is the alpha dog! When they wee younger, Hamish used to bully McGregor a bit. Even now, if Hamish is lying in the doorway into the kitchen, McGregor would not dare pass by him. He'd just start barking till one of us humans go up to him and tell him it's ok to pass by Hamish. In all this brouhaha, Hamish would just lay there seemingly oblivious to McGregor's dilemma. Cheeking thing! :)
Here's a picture of McGregor, the show dog (well, he's not a show dog, but he's got the looks to be one!). This was taken during our morning walk, as we pass by the perimeter of a field, nearby a school. He's got a really nice, thick coat and fortunately, enjoys being brushed. McGregor is more of a handsome dog, whilst Hamish is a sweet looking dog. But having been around them for a bit, I can tell that Hamish is the smarter cookie. He knows what he wants, when he wants it, whereas McGregor is more laid back and goes with the flow.
We had a nice walk this morning, although McGregor was lagging behind quite a bit for some reason. Hamish on the other hand, was full steam ahead. So in the end, I had to put both on a lead (it's just so unfair to have only one on lead I think). Mnd you, it isn't easy trying to corral two big border collies on leads as you're walking through fields and woods (there's a nice bt of woods by the fields and I thought I'd walk in there as I haven't been through the woods since March). Thats Hamish by the way, see how the right side of his nose is black?
It's a nice sunny day and the dogs had a job walking through the tall grass in the fields - almost as high as my knees! But I think they enjyed it. Back home, both of them are now taking their naps (not before Hamish tried, yet again, his luck as begging for a biscuit! He didn't get any though, as he'll only get it at teatime in the afternoon - you must have a strict feeding schedule with dogs... otherwise they will go overboard with eating!). I do love walking them every morning. Sometimes we' bump into other dog owners walking their dogs.
One day, while walking the dogs, Audrey and I bumped into Anna, who is a dog walker, who'd sprained her foot as she was coming down one of the taller stiles bythe field. There was a golf ball-sized swelling on her ankle and I can imagine how painful it must be (cuz I've sprained my ankle once too). Both Hamish and McGregor (who seems to recognise Anna) were a bit distressed seeing her in pain and they started licking her face and whining a bit (bless them!)So Audrey stayed with her while she made some calls to her friends so someone could come pick her up and take her to the clinic. There wasn't much we could do otherwise, so Audrey asked me to go ahead and walk the dogs around the field circuit. By the time I got the dogs home again, someone had already picked Anna up. That was more than three weeks ago, so I imagine Anna's sprain has healed. :)
Anyways, dog walking is usually uneventful and quiet. And I quite enjoy it. It always leaves you feeling brisk and refreshed. But now, its time for a cup of coffee and a biscuit!
Aunt Audrey and Uncle Peter have had two border collies named Hamish and McGregor for more than 12 years now. Needless to say, they both love these cute little (well, not so little... each of them weigh about as much as I do!) rascals to death! And with these faces, how can ANYONE not love them to death?
This one is Hamish, by the way. You can tell the difference between the two because Hamish has a half black nose, while McGregor is a perfect show dog with a nose. McGregor is also slighly bigger than Hamish, but make no mistake that Hamish is the alpha dog! When they wee younger, Hamish used to bully McGregor a bit. Even now, if Hamish is lying in the doorway into the kitchen, McGregor would not dare pass by him. He'd just start barking till one of us humans go up to him and tell him it's ok to pass by Hamish. In all this brouhaha, Hamish would just lay there seemingly oblivious to McGregor's dilemma. Cheeking thing! :)
Here's a picture of McGregor, the show dog (well, he's not a show dog, but he's got the looks to be one!). This was taken during our morning walk, as we pass by the perimeter of a field, nearby a school. He's got a really nice, thick coat and fortunately, enjoys being brushed. McGregor is more of a handsome dog, whilst Hamish is a sweet looking dog. But having been around them for a bit, I can tell that Hamish is the smarter cookie. He knows what he wants, when he wants it, whereas McGregor is more laid back and goes with the flow. 
We had a nice walk this morning, although McGregor was lagging behind quite a bit for some reason. Hamish on the other hand, was full steam ahead. So in the end, I had to put both on a lead (it's just so unfair to have only one on lead I think). Mnd you, it isn't easy trying to corral two big border collies on leads as you're walking through fields and woods (there's a nice bt of woods by the fields and I thought I'd walk in there as I haven't been through the woods since March). Thats Hamish by the way, see how the right side of his nose is black? It's a nice sunny day and the dogs had a job walking through the tall grass in the fields - almost as high as my knees! But I think they enjyed it. Back home, both of them are now taking their naps (not before Hamish tried, yet again, his luck as begging for a biscuit! He didn't get any though, as he'll only get it at teatime in the afternoon - you must have a strict feeding schedule with dogs... otherwise they will go overboard with eating!). I do love walking them every morning. Sometimes we' bump into other dog owners walking their dogs.
One day, while walking the dogs, Audrey and I bumped into Anna, who is a dog walker, who'd sprained her foot as she was coming down one of the taller stiles bythe field. There was a golf ball-sized swelling on her ankle and I can imagine how painful it must be (cuz I've sprained my ankle once too). Both Hamish and McGregor (who seems to recognise Anna) were a bit distressed seeing her in pain and they started licking her face and whining a bit (bless them!)So Audrey stayed with her while she made some calls to her friends so someone could come pick her up and take her to the clinic. There wasn't much we could do otherwise, so Audrey asked me to go ahead and walk the dogs around the field circuit. By the time I got the dogs home again, someone had already picked Anna up. That was more than three weeks ago, so I imagine Anna's sprain has healed. :)
Anyways, dog walking is usually uneventful and quiet. And I quite enjoy it. It always leaves you feeling brisk and refreshed. But now, its time for a cup of coffee and a biscuit!
Comments