Our neighbourhood dog Molly has given birth to five puppies a few weeks ago. This morning they came out to wonder around for the first time despite their mother's chiding. I played with them and took some pictures. My neighbour, a co-owner of Molly, keeps shearing off her fur; now she looks quite miserable and thin.
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From childhood to adolescence I had noticed that adults had always looked at me as if I were a puppy. Whenever they spotted me, neighbourhood Teow Chew aunties would squad down to grab me, pat my head and pinch my cheeks saying: ‘Joo, Joo!’ Without television to provide colourful visions of fast-changing motions, pleasing sights and interesting dramas, people turned to their surrounding happenings for entertainment. Imbued with the qualities to gratify the need to behold and to admire, children became the main source of ordinary everyday life pleasure. In Europe prior to the seventeen century before the educational institution was established, children were raised as domestic pets. Yes, even in school, I soon became aware of teachers adoring gazes and doting gestures and remarks which they showered liberally upon me. Pavlov’s theory of Operant Conditioning proved to be valid and working in a little girl born of innate animal instinct like me. It is a nice feeling to be admired and praised; and desiring these rewards, I was always more than willing to smile, do a twirl or anything sweet and cute to win my admirers’ hearts.
Unknowingly, I had been conditioned to become a puppy!
All is well for a pet when its shelter is safe and sturdy. The moment its haven vanishes through the cruelty of reality or some fateful turns of event, a puppy is shocked to find that it has to mutate and transform into a leo overnight. The process entails much pain and struggle and only pedigrees have any hope of success.
Molly, a strayed non-pedigree, remains a dog.
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