Bali Street Dog

“Bali Jalan Anjing”.

Old dogs are like old people, they have lived long and seen a lot.

His retracted upper lip exposing a few remaining teeth, guttural snarl, cataract covered and glazed eyes and his general grumpiness are all displays that certainly don’t endear him to those who attempt to closely pass by. 

This is probably why everything including mechanical beasts, give him a slow and wide circle.  He has guarded his patch with a fervent and feisty determination, all the while fighting hard to protect his tenuous position and retain and remain in his resting place and sunny spot. 

His is a level that commands respect from those made up of blood and bone, for his bodily scars show the telltale signs of battles fought, blood spilled and bone lost.  He has certainly earned his badge of bombastic bravado and to date nothing has defeated him.  But with a constant supply of contenders vying for his crown, it is an endless daily effort and struggle to stay in power against an ever changing line of lower command. 

What he has seen through his young eyes over a lifetime of changing street development is impossible to know.  What he must sense now through his aging nose is an invasion of strange and overwhelming stimuli.

Old dogs like old people don’t really ever die; they just pass on the experiences collected through life.  This one old Bali Street Dog has recently fathered a progeny, a young and very lively puppy. 

What an opportunity to pass on his skills.  To mould and shape and groom, in his likeness.   

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