Gaybutton Posted August 23, 2008 Posted August 23, 2008 I think several of you who frequent Bangkok and stay at either The Pinnacle Hotel or the Malaysia Hotel are familiar with the dog. It's my favorite dog in Thailand and I'm guessing it's a street dog. For years, at the corner of Soi Ngam Duplee and Rama IV, just outside the bank there is a big dog that hangs out there. He's almost always lying down, just sitting there watching the world go by, but he's always there. Every day, all day, the dog is there. The dog never bothers anyone and seems to appreciate it when passers by stop to pet him (or is it a her? I forget which.). Someone always puts out food and water for the dog and the dog seems perfectly happy. Do some of you recognize which dog I'm talking about? I'd post a photo of the dog, but I don't have one. I've always wondered about that dog. I wonder where he comes from. I wonder if he has an owner, maybe someone who works in the bank. I wonder why that dog chooses that spot and wants to stay there all day, every day. That dog has become somewhat of an icon in that area. Quote
Guest jtrack33 Posted August 23, 2008 Posted August 23, 2008 Dogs are very territorial and if you observe that dog closely, you will see that any other dog that comes to that area is very quickly warned about who's territory it is. He/she may not appear aggressive to a visiting dog, but a cold stare from a large dog is generally all that is needed to warn off a visitor. Human visitors are not a threat...unless the dog takes a particular dislike to one person or another....often you may note that a dog who is only used to seeing Thais, may get twitchy if a falang gets too close. But local dogs are just like the people in many respects....they will completely ignore anyone who does not make eye contact regardless of how close they go, but greet or reject anyone who does make eye contact. As one who hates taxis and only drives outside Bangkok, I use buses everyday here in Bangkok and know that every bus stop has the same dogs...at my home bus stop, the two dogs who live there have been around for 8 years and never stray far away. They will allow stranger dogs to pass by if they move quickly and don't loiter. They have no other home or owner, but rely upon a kindly resident for daily food. Often the feeder is a commuter who drops off a bag of rice when passing. You will often see a bus stop dog suddenly jump up and wag it's tail wildly for no apparent reason other than he has just spotted his feeder getting off the bus. At my home bus stop, the two dogs know me very well and literaly smile sometimes. They, just like people, will sometimes ignore me and other times they will rush up with their teeth bared in a genuine smile..even though I don't feed them. Sometimes they will quietly walk along beside you and gently bump up against my leg....oh, I wish I could train some Thai boys to be like that! Quote
Gaybutton Posted August 23, 2008 Author Posted August 23, 2008 They, just like people, will sometimes ignore me and other times they will rush up with their teeth bared in a genuine smile..even though I don't feed them. Sometimes they will quietly walk along beside you and gently bump up against my leg. Dogs are good people! They certainly deserve better than they're getting. Quote
