On a regular basis, many dogs like Edie are euthanized all over the world (or made into pulutan) on the sole basis of their uneven temperament. But as this guy proved, sometimes, they just need someone to show them that there is another way to look at the world out there; a kinder version, with more love than hate, more compassion than aggression. In more ways than we think, many people are just like Edie. Most of those aggressive, intolerant, hate-filled, human beings you know are just like this dog: behind those snarling fangs, is a scared little puppy, just needing a little understanding, a little affection, and yes, as trite as it sounds to jaded ears and hearts, a little love. I refuse to believe that anyone in their right mind, would choose negativity over positivity, to choose hate over love. Many of those unpleasant people we know were probably hurt at one crucial turning point, and the defenses they put up after, are those awful personalities we see upfront. Like Edie, who was abused by her previous owner, she just thinks people will hurt her again, because that’s all she ever knew of humans. But when one human showed her that there are among us humans who would not harm a hair on her head, she immediately put her trust in him. As corny as it sounds, I’m thoroughly (or naively) convinced that choose any one of those unpleasant dark cloud characters in your lives, and give them the love or kindness that their souls thirst for, and from the source they crave it from the most, that they will be completely transformed. They will have no need to inflict the pain that they feel inside to others, they will feel no compulsion to naysay everything that people they envy undertake, they will need no reason to wish their enemies any amount of ill will, because they have kindness and love in their hearts in spades. Of course that’s easier said than done, mainly because the love these people probably crave for is not ours to give. We’re just casualties of war. I don’t wear rose-colored glasses, but I’ve seen too many monsters de-fanged at the slightest show of kindness to not subscribe to this “they-just-need-a-hug” theory.
This video feeds my burning desire to put up an animal shelter one day. I don’t have the gifts of Hope For Paws’ Eldad Hagar or the dog whispering talents of Cesar Millan, in fact I’m ironically not very confident around strange dogs. Growing up, I’ve always battled a strong fear of dogs. I love doge even then, but I was deathly afraid of being bitten by them. And it’s really true what Cesar Millan said, that dogs can read your true energy, much better that what you actually do or say. So no matter how confidently I act around aggressive dogs, they can smell my fear of them a mile away. I’ve always envied those dog groomers who can just pick up any dog, even aggressive ones, and groom them as if they were grooming a harmless ball of cotton. But despite this, I’d really like to eventually do some work for an animal shelter, because my heart really gravitates towards animals and rescuing unwanted ones and also animal conservation. I don’t know how I’d actually get to do it, given my busy schedules on radio and hostings, but I’d just like to throw it out there to the universe, that I’d like to offer my services in the pursuit of saving animals, from as grand as the great whales, to as humble as those mangy mutts we avoid in the streets. Wala lang…
And so as not to end too heavily with all that serious stuff, here’s one of Eldad’s lighter, cuter videos. I really like this because I too, have a chihuahua that looks a lot like this one. My Chi can get pretty aggressive too, and to be honest, I’m sometimes afraid of her when she’s in her “demon chihuahua” mode, but I’m slowly learning to assert my Alpha male status, as learned from Cesar Millan’s DVD.