Man's best friend

Dog. Everybody says its man’s best friend. I am a bit skeptical about it because of my personal experience with dogs. I was attacked (as in literally attacked) by a dog when I was still a kid. From then on, I always made sure that I am at least a feet away from dogs.

This particular day amazes me though. I was rushing to go home as I have guests. A colleague and her daughter arrived last night and instead of staying in the hotel, I invited them over my house. They are going to tour around Anuradhapura and its historical ruins. After breakfast I made a brief introduction of the town and where are the sites which we are not allowed to go including how to bargain with trishaw drivers and I am off to work. I felt bad because I cannot go with them. I have so much work to do; I mean so much to write at work that I can’t afford a leave. So we agreed that I will be home by about 12 even though they indicated that they will probably finish the round by about 2. Given my experience, it only takes me 2 hours the maximum. When I reached the office, I talked to my boss and the other project managers if they wanted me after 12 noon as I need to be home for my guests.

Before 12, my friend texted me that they are on the way home, I called them back and tell them that I will be there at about 45 minutes. My trishaw (normally the trishaw will pick me up on our agreed time after dropping me off in the morning) did not show up. I hiked and almost run the 1km road from the office to the junction where I could catch a bus to Anuradhapura. I was really walking fast to the point of running when I noticed the dog running behind me as well. I stopped for a moment, thinking of strategy on how I can move fast as I can and at the same time not to scare the dog and motivate enough to bite or attack me. Then, the dog run at least 5 steps away from me and snarl at the two men staring at me. A lorry also stopped and the men were whistling at me when the dog snarls harder at them. This gives me the courage to continue walking, this time as fast as I could. When I looked back again, the dog is behind me again. It was then I realized that he is giving me company and seeing my safety on that almost deserted road. Every now and then he will go 5 to 7 steps ahead of me then stopped and let me overtake him and he will follow behind then go ahead of me again. I felt like we were dancing with him stepping forward then me straightly walking forward and him backward and forward again. When we reached the junction, he turned around and went back to the office.

Now, in spite of my belief on dogs, somehow my experience proves me wrong. Dogs are really man’s best friend and protector. They are indeed able to provide you safe passage and even keep you away from abuse or harassment. My father has always a dog in the house but I never approved of it, sometimes I coaxed him to give the dogs away and it causes disagreements between me and my brother who adore dogs. Today, I am still wary of dogs as they can still bring you harm but at the same time, I believe that in special circumstances they bring you to safety and keep you alive and harm free.