Working Dogs and Devilish Bargains
This is another one of those articles that demonstrates the Faustian bargain that sometimes (many times?) underlies the proposed salvation of working dog breeds. In this case, Chinese conservationist Wong How Man scours the mountains of Tibet seeking the sturdy and highly aggressive mastiffs used by nomads to guard their herds in the harsh and dangerous environment. However, doing so costs money and promoting his quest worldwide to gain funding naturally attracts dog-lovers. Unfortunately, the more affluent and naïve among see Tibetan mastiffs as a perfect image pet, i.e., one which communicates that person’s wealth to others. Whether the dog’s needs are fulfilled in their upscale environments is immaterial.
So here’s the bargain: In order for Mr. Wong to save the dogs, he must expose both them and their environment to self-serving forces whose motives are not nearly as idealistic as his. Ultimately, in his attempt to win the battle, will he—or rather these dynamic working dogs—lose the war?