DEBATE/ESSAY : Dog is Man’s Friend

To start with, one should know this and know it well, people will betray you but your Dog will not for a reason follow wrong course that might or will lead to betrayal.

“The more I consider the behavior of man,” a learned man once said, “the more I respect my dog.” The learned man must have his reasons for this. He must have been disgusted by many wars waged by the human race. Also, he must have matched, against all these, the age-old faithfulness of dog to man. Among all animals, dog is alone in setting himself against his fellow animals for man’s sake. And in all places, he is a good hunter, a detective, a friend at home and sometimes a messenger.

In any land, the dog is an excellent hunter. Like any other carnivore, he hunts other animals. But unlike others, he hunts not for himself but for man. Here, he differs from other domestic animals. For although the cow may yield milk, the pig may give his meat, none other sets itself against other animals for man’s sake.

He even sets himself against human criminals. As a skilled and seasoned hunter, he has a keen sense of smell. On the basis of this, the police experts train him as a detective able to find out who the criminal is and where that criminal would be hiding even days after the crime has been committed. Indeed, the police dog was used during the Nigerian war to find out whether or not the opposing soldiers were near.

Homeowners with dogs as pets, whether housed indoors or outdoors, will probably experience fewer burglary attempts than those without dogs or other security systems. Dogs are protective of their domain and their masters, so you will be in good paws. Pets ward off loneliness and provide unconditional love. Pets can be there for you in many ways that people can’t. A pet never judges you and they continue to love you in

spite of your flaws and mistakes. Dogs serve us sometimes without asking or waiting not seeking any benefits for themselves. When you have just arrived home from work, they are ready and patiently waiting for you at the door so they can greet you right away. Your dog might wait for you to bend down so he can lick your face to give you his kisses or your dog might even jump up to you to show how much he missed you.

At home too his hunting instincts are used to advantage by man. Kept outside at night, he keeps guard of the door, warding off thieves and other suspicious elements. He would even lay down his life rather than see the house broken into. He frightens away the intending thief and keeps his master awake for possible action.

The dog is used for transportation. In the very cold regions of the world, the dog proves a

successful means of transport where others fail. One explorer, Captain Scott, who tried to use horses rather than dogs, failed disastrously. Most of his animals and men died, his team became hardly mobile, and he consequently failed to be the first man to be on the South Pole.

In all respects, therefore, the dog renders unfailing help to man. Both at home and on the farmland, in the cold as well as the hot climate, he is a good helper and companion. I would therefore consider the dog as the most useful animal in the service of man.