Have you heard that dogs are man’s best friend? While exploring the origins of this expression, I came across a Yiddish expression about dogs, which states that it’s a huntisher velt, a dog’s world. The huntisher expression has various meanings, depending on how it is said. On the one hand, it can mean that things are average; on the other hand, it can mean that things are teef ihn drerd, not so great.
Dogs are very popular pets and have been credited with saving human lives – no small accomplishment! At the same time, they have maimed and even killed human beings. So what does our expression mean? Nu, you may respond, voss hakst do ah chinik (why are you prattling)? Let’s explore a little and find out about dogs.
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To find out more about the world of dogs I turned to the great maven on any and all topics, Google, and came across some interesting information: First, I learned that the domestic dog has a fancy scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris. It is part of the genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids, and is the most widely abundant terrestrial carnivore. Its gestation period is 58-68 days, and its lifespan is 10 to 13 years. It tends to sleep 12 to 14 hours a day. Also, apropos of nothing, dogs need to know who is in charge from the start, and bigger dogs outperform smaller dogs in intelligence tests!
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Regarding dog services, here are a few eye-openers: There is professional dog walking, pet care software, service dog ID cards, dog training, dog residences (aka cages), dog breeding, and, of course, veterinary care.
There are a myriad of fancifully-named businesses, such as “Prancing Pooches,” “Paw Approved Corp,” “Ask-a-Dog Psychologist,” and “Bark Busters.”
There are advice articles galore, including, “Insane Dog Facts You Did Not Know,” “How to Have Discussions with your Doggie,” “How Do I Become a Dog Behaviorist,” and “Try Not to Laugh at Immature Dogs; You’ll Hurt their Feelings.”
I recently received mail from a doggie food firm offering a $15 discount on pet foods and supplies! There are over 1,000 brands to choose from, from Taste of the Wild to Greenies Dental Treat. And not to neglect that other necessity, clothing, you can buy dog pajamas, onesies, shoes, sweaters, hoodies, ties and bows, life jackets, swim suits, dresses, jumpers, and even costumes!
Nu, you may ask, do dogs ever get a vacation? Ah kashe un ah miseh (what a question)! There are many “resorts” that report that they are dog-friendly, although I haven’t yet come across a vacation spot that is for dogs only. If there is one, I hope it is “master-friendly.”
Nu, you may ask, what about Yiddisher dogs? Are they discriminated against? Not at all. It seems that “bark mitzva pawties” are now a “thing.” Some prefer to have the celebration on the dog’s second birthday, which equals around 13 in dog years. The dog, wearing a yarmulke and a blue sash (which they called a tallit), sits in front of a prayer book and gives several barks to signify his doghood. Hairst ah geshichteh (can you fathom such a thing)? The latest trend is having a female bark mitzva. Equality for all dogs!
Out of curiosity I checked whether gentiles have any doggie rites. They do, of course. Baptism is the new trend, and the appropriate apparel is offered, such as “great looking dog christening gowns.” (Nu, we Yidden and nochrim finally have something in common.)
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Recently there was a presentation on the popular Facebook showing a dog licking the face of a baby. Comments included accolades about how wonderful it was to have such a relationship between humans and canines! Hairst ah geshichteh? Hopefully, the dog did not resort to its canine nature to attack – which has occurred in the past – not to mention the unknown germs it passed on to the child. On the other hand, there’s the story of a dog saved a child from drowning. (There have been many like him.) The six-year-old fell into the river and no one could reach him. The dog jumped in and pushed the boy to shore.
Dogs have been helpful to humans and that is undeniable. However, the world was created for humans, and the expression a huntisher velt should not be taken literally. Furthermore, it is a wonderful world that was created by the Ribono Shel Olam (G-d); it should not be turned into a huntisher velt by human beings.
