It is now commonly recognized by anthropologists that primitive man would not have survived and thrived on Earth had it not been for the influence of the common canine. Dogs helped us learn how to survive in often inhospitable environments. Dogs aided us in establishing civilization.
Today dogs can be found everywhere in every corner of the planet. They are our pets; our guides; our guardians; our sleuths; and our friends. They give of themselves selflessly, sometimes paying the highest price to serve mankind, by giving their lives to save ours.
My family owns a business in a town populated by the blind and their companion guide dogs. I've seen firsthand the awe-inspiring intelligence, capability, and bravery of these loyal creatures. Guide dogs often possess two distinct personalities. One personality is that of a normal dog: playful, boisterous, and eager to please. The other personality is stern, steadfast, and intensely devoted to the work at hand.
It is an amazing fact in and of itself that any animal can be the eyes for a fellow creature. It is even more astounding that this can be true between two creatures that share no common practical language bond. Yet every day countless dogs and their blind masters make their way through the streets of our town, unimpeded by the obstacles of visual challenge, or language barriers.
But dogs have always been known for their loyalty and their ability to do hard work. They work with policemen to help solve crimes and in many cases, to prevent crimes from happening at all. They can be trained to sniff out drugs; to detect explosives; or to find the long-hidden remains of an unfortunate victim. Their role in modern society is invaluable.
But perhaps the most important job that dogs do is to tend to the hearts of their masters. Dogs can have an uncanny knack for knowing just when we need them most. A soft whimper and a cold nose can be all it takes to chase the blues away.
And sometimes dogs know just how dear they are, and unabashedly relish the attention of the spotlight. Owners and trainers of show-quality dogs insist that the pooches want to win every bit as badly as they do. Some show dogs seem to thrive on the attention of a cheering crowd.
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