...dogs

Whenever I come across a TV series or movie that allows a dog in an apartment, I would wish that it was acceptable in Malaysia. Sadly, dogs especially are frowned upon. We are an Islamic country and in general dogs are not an acceptable pet. Recently, I met a Muslim couple staying at the same condo where I live and they have 2 pups ! I was sooooooo happy. This very nice gentleman told me that he loved dogs and he had no problem managing his religion, family and pets (in no particular order). He's a really responsible person; takes the pups out for morning walks with a plastic bag to pick the puppy poo. Later, I found out that some other owners have lodged complaints about him with the condo management. That's stupid and the excuse given was because the pups would drool in the lifts and he would step on puppy drool ! Absurd ya ? As I was told sometime back, dogs were frowned upon by the Muslims because they carried the rabies virus or some call it "mad dog disease". What ignorance not to realise that rabies can be transmitted by any warm-blooded animal !

Information extracted from Wikipedia
Any warm-blooded animal may become infected with the rabies virus and develop symptoms, including humans (though birds have only been known to be experimentally infected[5]). Indeed the virus has even been adapted to grow in cells of poikilothermic vertebrates[6][7]though natural transmission has only been documented among mammals.[citation needed] Most animals can be infected by the virus and can transmit the disease to humans. Infected bats, monkeys, raccoons, foxes, skunks, cattle, wolves, dogs, mongoose (normally yellow mongoose) or cats provide the greatest risk to humans. Rabies may also spread through exposure to infected domestic farm animals, groundhogs, weasels, bears and other wild carnivores. Rodents (mice, squirrels etc) are seldom infected.[8] The virus is usually present in the nerves and saliva of a symptomatic rabid animal.[9][10] The route of infection is usually, but not necessarily, by a bite. In many cases the infected animal is exceptionally aggressive, may attack without provocation, and exhibits otherwise uncharacteristic behavior.[11] Transmission between humans is extremely rare. A few cases have been recorded through transplant surgery.[12] After a typical human infection by bite, the virus enters the peripheral nervous system. It then travels along the nerves towards the central nervous system. During this phase, the virus cannot be easily detected within the host, and vaccination may still confer cell-mediated immunity to prevent symptomatic rabies. Once the virus reaches the brain, it rapidly causes encephalitis. This is called the “prodromal” phase. Once it reaches this point, there is no treatment. Then symptoms appear. Rabies may also inflame the spinal cord producing myelitis.[citation need]

So is it safer to have cats and hamsters as pets ? Dogs have been known to be man's best friend. Their love is unconditional and so long as you love them and treat them well, your love will always and unconditionally be returned a million times over. Their needs are simple and never demanding. They guard and protect you with their lives and would never intentionally cause harm. They have no voice but they speak to us through their eyes and their wagging tails. The very same wag and welcome that awaits us at the end of a hard day's work.
"My best friend, you give everything yet asks for nothing. The little that you ask, I give willingly from my heart. The love I see in your eyes make everything so worthwhile. What I see is far worth a million words. You ask for nothing yet you give me everything. You have a heart more worthy than gold, deeper than any ocean and higher than any mountain. It's no wonder that *all dogs go to heaven*."