Pardon Me But I Love Dogs

Blind Muslim woman with her guide dog

I was reading the local news this morning and came across an article indignantly reporting a Muslim actress cuddling what looked like a puppy schnauzer.  There's no denying that schnauzers/puppies are absolutely irresistable creatures.  The report also included a few photos showing a woman (face blurred) cuddling her cute doggie.  The writer went, "I am shocked!  She is shameless! She is too much!  I don't want to say anything anymore!  OMG!!"  I was amused by some of the comments she received.

Dogs are taboo to Muslims and I really wanted to know why.  I searched the net and from a simple thing like why dogs are a no-no to Muslims, it became heatedly religious and political (yes, political) so I stopped reading.  I did learn that some Muslims love and own dogs, especially outside Malaysia.  The blind woman in the above photo overcame strong family opposition to own her guide dog.  Good for her....:) 

Muslims are allowed to touch dogs as long as it is not wet and body parts that get dog drool have to be washed 7 times.  Dogs, I gathered, can be kept for working, not so much as pets.  Thus if a Muslim needs a dog for farm work, guarding property and in the above case, as a guide dog it is perfectly okay.  I particularly like a comment by a Muslim in support of dogs.  Her name is "Nur" and she said, "I am a Muslim and I love, love, love dogs."  She posted this passage, probably from the Quran:

Allah's Apostle said, "While a man was walking on a road, he became very thirsty. Then he came across a well, got down into it, drank (of its water) and then came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst.  The man said to himself, "This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst as I did."  So he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and held it in his mouth and watered the dog.  Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him.  The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?"  He said, "(Yes) There is a reward for serving any animate (living being)."

Muslims love cats - well, most I know.  The dog is as much a creation of God as the cat.  Even though the Quran exhorts Muslims to show kindness to all living beings (dogs included), most don't practise this law.  Please realise that shunning is not kindness.  Neither is shrieking and dragging your children away from dogs like they're plague.  Children learn from adults so they end up throwing things at dogs because they sense that dogs are bad, should be avoided and shooed off.  It's just too bad.  Ah well...let's hope they will grow up and out of this prejudice towards dogs and heed what Allah's Apostle taught.