AWOL 2014 Issue 291 18th July | Page 17

Advertise here from only 40 baht per week to hull and back Mags Meanderings: From Som Tam To Mushy Peas a dog’s life Our word of the week comes first for a change, because it pretty much sums up what is to follow. ‘Maundering’ is a strange sounding word meaning to talk in a rambling manner, or ‘to maunder’, which seems quite appropriate. Maybe we should change our title to ‘Maundering To Hull and Back’. And the first maunder is dog related. Now, I know that dogs can be a touchy subject in Hua Hin, and that is quite understandable. I’ve had the odd nipped ankle there, which is nothing compared to some of the damage they can cause, especially when motorbikes are involved. But at least soi dogs usually know their place. On the soi. Not indoors like so many of our pampered pooches here in cooler climes, where, quite apart from frequent cold weather, there is the added risk of losing exhorbitantly priced animals to dognappers. Cheap room for rent from just 350 baht 0915094729 Th/Eng 0805626735 Swe/Eng Soi 94 (1st left after 7-11) Because those images of Snoopy snoozing on top of his kennel are history. Long gone are the days when we could safely leave our pedigree pet in the garden - even in summer and with a suitable kennel for them to shelter in. There is far too much risk on several counts. Not only the risk of dognapping, but the fear of legal action should some innocent soul enter our property and fall foul of a frenzied attack by Fido. Even if it transpired that Fido had attacked a not so innocent soul he would probably be headed for doggy heaven just for protecting his property, leaving his owners with a huge bill for compensation. Then there are vet bills. So big that most dog owners in the UK need private medical insurance for Fido, plus of course micro chipping in case he does go AWOL. So it is hardly surprising that, in the UK at least, mans’ best friend is kept indoors much of the time. Which is where the problems really begin. The tabloid press has reported its’ illustrated findings on destructive dogs. Under the title ‘Britains’ Peskiest Pets’ are photos of mass destruction in homes. Many dogs seem happy to shred magazines and newspapers, while some have more expensive tastes, preferring to destroy sofas or window blinds. What puzzles and yes - irritates me is that the dogs themselves are labelled as ‘pesky’, when in fact they are probably just bored out of their minds. Being locked in houses while their owners are out at work all day is simply not a normal life for a dog. And yet these pesky little misdemeanors are portrayed as a bit of fun, while the owners seem to accept it all as an inevitable part of owning a dog. One spaniel, prone to romping in mud and ponds, as they do, causes his owner to regularly have to clean her house ‘from top to bottom.’ Well sorry dear but I have news for you - stop the dog at the door. Yes I know, you have to have old towels at the ready and rugby tackle him. So be it. He will learn. As for the destructive dogs, don’t expect a pack animal to be happy when left home alone. Disclaimer All articles are published in good faith and based on information available to us at publication. Some articles are satire or ‘spoof’ stories intended as humour. No responsibility is accepted other than that stipulated by law. Although the information in this publication has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, AWOL cannot guarantee accuracy in all cases. Any opinions expressed are those of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publ