DAMNED DOGS

I don't particularly like dogs, even though I loved the smell of our labradors when I was a child. They were gun dogs and lived outside, where they belonged. After Rupert, my old black lab, was buried up in the wood, I couldn't bring myself to get another watch-dog (necessary in the country) until a semi-domesticated fox killed Clio, my favourite tabby. (See my "In Memory of a fox-hunting cat." ) So I acquired a brutish bullet of an Airedale terrier called Petra. As much as I loathe other dogs, I love "Petty". I'm a one-dog man, one at a time. But the other day she killed a wonderful and very fierce animal called a quique (Galictis cuja) found in central Chile, but not very common. Most dogs are terrified of this stoat-like creature which will fight to the death with its disproportionate fangs. I was annoyed not only because it is a wild animal which may face extinction sooner or later, but also because it keeps down the rabbit population which attacks my fruit trees. Unfortunately, I can't find a rights-free photo of the quique to illustrate this posting, so I'll upload one of Petra at work.
I have a happier tale to tell next about a stray dog I dragged squashed off the road: it survived miraculously thanks of my prayers to my holy patrons, Saints Kosmas and Damianos, Unmercenary Physicians of Men and Beasts. The crippled creature actually recognized me when I stopped in the village to try to cut a snare off another neglected dog. Just because one can't stand dogs - or people for that matter - doesn't mean one won't help them. Given a chance in life, dogs make better friends than most people - a truism any sensible person will agree with. More about animals and Chileans soon.