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October 11, 2006

Dogs enhance our lives

As a life-long dog lover, I can testify that a dog can make a difference in anyone's life. They are obedient, cuddly, happy and they are always thrilled to see us. They don't care if we are having a bad hair day or if we gain 5 pounds. They love us unconditionally.

We have two dogs. Houdini and Kiki. Kiki sleeps at the foot of our bed every night and Houdini usually ends up sleeping between John and I - sometimes he even manages to get under the covers.

Now, some people don't like dogs. In fact, an entire religion believes that dogs are 'unclean'. It's even in their 'scriptures'.

Book 010, Number 3811: Abdullah (b. Umar) (Allah be pleased with them) reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) ordered the killing of dogs and we would send (men) in Medina and its corners and we did not spare any dog that we did not kill, so much so that we killed the dog that accompanied the wet she-camel belonging to the people of the desert.

Source

And this presents a problem. Muslim Taxi drivers the world over are refusing to allow blind people with guide dogs in their cabs.

This has been going on for some years, and this discrimination against those who need guide dogs has been occurring all over the world.

In England, a blind woman was refused a cab because of her dog, and when she complained to the owner of the taxi company, she was told that she should learn to respect the Muslim culture.

This has happened in Norway, Australia, Canada, and in the US.

My friend, Wild Thing, has a good post up on this issue. She is also a dog lover.

I think what irks me most about Muslim taxi drivers refusing fares is that they get all pissy at us and act like we are unreasonable for not understanding their 'culture'.

I will say one thing - we Americans love our dogs. Any one of any 'religion' who thinks dogs are unclean are just going to have to get used to all of our unclean dogs - or just go somewhere else. Far away.

Posted by Beth at October 11, 2006 09:14 AM