The Difference with Dogs
March 22, 2008
After a sunrise crossing of Inle Lake today, I found myself at the Ruins of Indein. I was the only one there so early, which was fortunate – as even the vendor stalls had not yet set themselves in my path towards the temples and ruins. When I got to the main temple, a curious note from a sand-painting scene I encountered in Bagan earlier this week was confirmed: Buddha likes dogs.
And dogs seem to like Buddha, too! There were tons of dogs hanging around the temple. The standard old-stray, with a coat showing signs of wear and tear; the post-birthing bitch, with teets low and milkful; and a number of puppies running about.
Being a dog person, I talk to the dogs and try to get their attention. Dogs in Asia, however, are a bit different than dogs in the US: they’re highly suspect of people.
After getting the attention of one of the pups, I poured some of my bottled water onto the floor for it. It watched, but did not drink any. Then I got a stick for it: bad move.
The dog didn’t react violently. Rather, dogs in Asia have learned to react much differently to a human with a stick in Asia than a human with a stick in Western countries, Hong Kong and Japan being the exceptions. (Dog is eaten in Korea)
A stick here means the dog is about to be whapped, and the dog jumped back immediately when I picked up the small stick to toss it. When I threw it, his head still followed; however he was still waiting to see what I was going to do about him. I decided to let him be, and went about my way.
Just another case of culture shock.
