Dog's life

No posts for a while as London Dog went to Marrakech for a much deserved holiday. However, as an intrepid explorer of all things canine, London Dog could not resist documenting the life of Marrakechi dogs.

Morocco is a Muslim country so dogs are not usually kept as pets as Q'ran sees them as impure. There are many interpretations of this, with some scholars seeing all dogs as inferior and impure, and some allowing exceptions, like in the case of working dogs, be it for herding sheep, police work or as guide dogs. Here is a useful and succinct explanation of the rules.

Having said that, I have seen people having dogs as pets so like all rules, they are to be broken. They seemed happy and well looked after, like the little Ruza below. I met him in one of the many enchanting tiny streets in the Medina. One has to haggle for everything in Marrakech, so even taking this photo was a bit of a business transaction. 10 dirhams changed hands, and I was allowed to take his photo. Ruza was very friendly and sweet, and very well looked after, with his coat silky and smooth. The breed is hard to determine, but a King Charles Cavalier comes to mind, just from looking at his snub muzzle, colouring and coat texture.


I also met this little fellow, who resides in a Dar Mimoun, one of the beautiful riad style hotels in the Medina. In the oasis of greenery and calm atmosphere of the courtyard restaurant, the little mutt was barking very loudly at the visitors, guarding his patch.


Unfortunately, there are also examples homeless dogs, that simply roam the streets and feed on scraps of food lying around. I saw this one, quite a young puppy, sleeping in the street, avoiding the heat in a shadow on an old wheelbarrow.


The homeless dogs live cheek by jowl with the enormous population of feral cats. Cats are a part and parcel of Marrakech life, hundreds of them walking around, lithe and thin, weaving around restaurant tables hoping for some food. They are everywhere, walking the streets, sleeping in the shade of the goods displayed in on the stalls, in the back alleys, and in the souks, the traditional markets.



However unfair or nearly heartbreaking it may seem to the Western eye, it is a reality of the poor countries, that animals like dogs and cats are very low down the pecking order. In a city where women, children, the old, infirm and disabled beg on the streets, a homeless dog or cat is the least of anybody's worries. It simply gives one another perspective on life, one not as clear cut and comfortable as the Western one.

Streetwatch

Meet CJ. Not the CJ from Baywatch but an equally beautiful (and somewhat less cliched in her beauty), Border Collie and a Whippet cross.

I met CJ in South Molton Street today. I spotted her from a distance, as she was sitting in the middle of the pedestranised street, graceful and lithe, with a purposeful air of a dog waiting for its owner about her. Tom, her owner, was just few feet away, selling the Big Issue magazine.

The little stunner is nearly 2 years old, slim and elegant, both traits of a whippet, with that unmistakable alertness and intelligence of a Collie, that makes her very special indeed.

CJ is a rescue dog, and Tom got her in Edinburgh when she was a puppy and they have been inseparable ever since.

Tom had lived on the streets in the past, but recently he managed to get accommodation, and gets by selling the Big Issue, so luckily both him and CJ now have a home. Tom and CJ are regulars in South Molton Street, which is filled with lovely expensive boutiques, and in some way illustrate the rich tapestry of London life where fortune and misfortune live cheek by jowl.

CJ is a bright spark in Tom's life, his faithful companion and a comfort in difficult situations. She is also extremely well behaved, responsive, attentive and polite. She sat beautifully for the treats, and followed her owner with adoring eyes. Tom tells me that she is so intelligent that most of these behaviours are self-taught, which is definitely a dream of any unruly dog owner (yes, I am talking about you Kevin!).

I have recently written about Clyde, who also lives on the streets in London, and I sincerely hope he is feeling better now. The patient and loving companionship of an animal when one finds oneself in a difficult situation can never be underestimated so please spare a thought, and buy the Big Issue next time you see Tom in South Molton Street.

To meet other London Collies please click here, and to see Whippets and Greyhounds have a look here.

Amber-roo!

It is the first time that London Dog features a dog and his owner in one shot.

There is a reason for this exception. Amber, a 6-year-old Alsatian cross, clearly adores her owner Tony so much, that there was no way I would get a photo of her without him in the picture too. Just look at the adoring eyes and trusting pose!

Amber, who came from the Battersea Dogs Home at the age of 9 months, is a perfect example of how an unwanted dog (she was abandoned by a motorway, not to put too fine a point to it, to die), flourishes and brings happiness to people's lives.

At the first attempt of taking a photo, Amber simply started bouncing up so high, that one could easily think that she was a Alsatian and Kangaroo cross! I have never seen a dog jumping so high with such grace and ease, so this lady clearly knows her tricks.

Amber clearly shows her Alsatian (German Shepherd) heritage in her dark coat with russet coloured patches, and beautiful hazel brown eyes.

She has a mischievous streak in her and uses her agility to her own devices. Her owner tells me that she opens kitchen cupboards and helps herself to food, especially flour which does become a very messy business indeed!

Amber was bright and sparkly when I met her, thanks to a 4 hour walk with Tony, who always makes sure that she has a super-long walk during weekends to compensate for the working week.

It was a pleasure to meet Tony and Amber, a perfect duo of a man and his dog, clearly adoring each other and sharing a very special connection that all devoted animal lovers will recognise as so rewarding in having a dog, especially one that was given a chance, not awarded to many abandoned dogs.

To find your perfect canine match visit the Dogs Blog.

To explore adoption options from Battersea Dogs Home, please visit their website.