There are endless ways for free roaming dogs to end their free roaming activities. Rubber attached to wheel of endless scooters is way down the list.

Their relationship is based on mutual fear and a healthy respect for life and limb. A collision of dog machine and human is nothing anyone wants to see. Apart from excruciating noise, grinding metal and screaming sentient beings, risk of horrific slow agonizing death is probable.

Its why, and there are always exceptions, Bali dogs DO NOT chase bikes. For those that do, their life span is permanently momentary. If a swift kick from a passing rider doesn’t deter the snapping charging and growling, then the behavior is set and its only a matter of time. Elimination of the problem is always an option and unfortunately appropriate. Given the reality and genetic history of Bali dogs and their relationship with Bali people any dog that doesn’t follow community rules is considered a threat to collective wellbeing and will be corrected swiftly. It is always hoped that whatever solution is enacted it is swift and painless.

It’s a tribute to the relationship that scooter and dog are constantly engaged in an unseen dance. The music created can be heard in silence, as steps, weaves, swerves and near misses.

​The show goes on, balance is maintained and most importantly the participants and their relationship survive and continue.
 

2023 and what have we done?

Doesn’t really matter, that part is done. It’s learning to live beyond, incorporating and reconstituting the shrapnel into some future normal that assures us that the sun will surely come up tomorrow. It will, wont it?

It’s delusional of course. But fooling ourselves is totally and unequivocally unavoidable. The alternative is to accept uncomfortable truths.  So, we go on, planning, looking forward, reaching, grasping, frantically scratching to get closer to that goal. That it will all work out.

Its why we really enjoy the company of dogs. Balinese dogs now, but there have been many past others. Bottom line, any dog will do. They possess an elixir that infuses those, who are susceptible, with an easy calmness and a wraparound grin.

Admittingly Bali dogs don’t always elicit such ecstasy and they do things that could see them jettisoned to a jungle in Java. But they keep you coming back. The island and dogs and people, effortlessly combine in deluding you that there is direction and purpose. That there are simple truths about reality. That if you look deeply, see clearly and listen quietly, everything falls into place.

With offerings to Gods and endless ceremonies to celebrate and commiserate, its not difficult to accept interconnectedness as an unquestionable truth.  

In the incredible and diverse canine world, Balinese dogs are certainly unique. They are classified as semi feral but are a snout and tail away from self-sufficiency and independent survival. If human contact was removed, they would go on. They can’t stay young, needy and vulnerable for long.

​They live for now, for that really is all there is. They learn fast, a necessity to continue living. They leave, when their life and learning is done.