Is Anthropomorphism the only way to save The Bali Street Dog?

Anthropomorphism, or personification, is the attribution of uniquely human characteristics to anything other than a human being.

Anthropomorphism appears to be a natural human tendency, I do it and you do it.  In fact we all do it, to an extent.  It would seem that we are more likely to assign anthropomorphic qualities to something that appears to have traits similar to us.  In the case of dogs, they have movements that can be human like and they have faces that are structurally similar, so they are a sure bet. 

In science Anthropomorphism is to be avoided as fervently and feverishly as one would when faced with a rabid dog in full flight.  In everyday life it’s nearly impossible to not anthropomorphisize and when it comes to our pet dogs the urge to humanize and personalize is just about overwhelmingly impossible for most.  In and of itself anthropomorphism is neither good nor bad, although it is in the eye of the observer as to what conclusions they arrive at when ogling such behaviour in all its guises.

Anthropomorphism in regards to Bali Street Dogs is on the face of it a very difficult concept to look at, grab hold of and run with.  In traditional Balinese culture the thought would not only be unthinkable, it would in fact be offensive. 

They are quite honestly the furthest species to have human tendencies, although they do have limbs and eyes, ears and noses and of course mouths.  The last similarity in particular is an orifice that they have a habit of using very loudly and very often.   

 At this present moment the Bali Street Dog is not that popular with non Balinese people and the irony is that due to the influx of foreign people and dogs, they are in fact becoming rapidly less acknowledged.  Anjing Ras, in the form of Rotties, Bullies, Goldies etc are now the dogs to have and own for foreigner and to have for Bali people. 

However, there is one niche area where The Bali Street Dog is becoming more and more valuable and increasingly sought after, to eat.

So, is it possible to make Bali Street Dogs more popular with non Balinese people, stop them being eaten, ensure their ongoing survival whilst maintaining their feral nature in its purity and continue to put up with their incessant barking and nakal, naughty behaviour.  There’s an Anthropomorphic statement right there.

In the vast majority of cases a financial transaction is required when taking possession of Anjing Ras, a possession that by virtue of money changing hands is automatically valuable to all parties involved.  This currency value alone seems to spur and enhance anthropomorphic leanings, a state in which so many important implications are favourable to the dog. Thinking, seeing and feeling for the dog in human ways will bestow upon it the very human action of moral and physical care and consideration.

No one is advocating that Bali Street Dogs be bred to sell, it is doubtful that anyone would purchase them anyway, especially when there are so many new and exotic canines to tease and toy with.

The question is not, if anthropomorphism would apply to Bali Street Dogs, it already does.  The answer is not, to expect the people of Bali to see their Bali dogs in anthropomorphic form. 

The thought is simply that if more people were aware of the uniqueness and rare value that is the Bali Street Dog, then maybe just maybe their popularity would soar to heights that would make them, the dog to have and to own.  

---