Graffiti Dogs – Friends, not pets

Animal Mural: Rojopavez, Ona Barcelona, Pcafezinho
Storytelling: Oana Maroti

Dogs are man's best friend, but is man a good friend?

Man has "conquered the world" with the help of his best friend the dog. Man breeds his best friend for aesthetics, hunting, and defense.

Dogs are so cool that they evolve in nonverbal communication and are our guides, friends, family, walking companions, exercise companions, specialists in well-being, and mental health support.

Once Canis Lupus (wolves) today´s dogs reproduce under human influence and their existence depends on humans, who even punish them, I don´t know for what, since humans are responsible for the domesticated or less domesticated dog´s existence.

In the graffiti dogs portrait series named ¨Asfaltico¨, Rojopavez makes a good point, about the necessary visibility of the fact that we have removed animals from their natural habitat and made them live in cities and walk on hot cement during scorching summers. This is proof that cities were not built with the basic needs of the best friend in mind.

While the artist insists that different architectural planning is needed in large asphalt cities, I would like to remind all mortals that this is not about some sacrifice or a special request. Feeding dogs and ensuring they are safe and happy is a simple, direct human duty... It´s dogs that protected the sheep so that we could eat the cheese. It´s an invisible contract since animals can´t write... yet.

We condition dogs, but what if the Pavlovian technique works both ways?

Humans are playmates just as dogs are playmates. It is a reciprocal relationship that has great benefits for humans.

I am both concerned and amused when I hear someone say that they are afraid of dogs or that dogs should not be around humans because they have a phobia, a personal mental problem that has nothing to do with our lovely pawed friends.

It is not the dogs you should be afraid of because humans coordinate their canine friend, conditioning.

If a dog pees on your front door, it is not the dog's fault, but the owner's; if cities are full of dog poop, it is not the dog we expect to clean up, but the owner. The stray dogs in the city are first and foremost the mayor’s dogs.

Unfortunately, many people have a dog because the material resources allow them to keep one. Those who use the dog for revenge or are unable to appreciate the friendship and affection that these extraordinary creatures give should definitely go to some classes and first learn to respect an animal and only after maybe adopt one.

Humans have influenced animal behavior so much that dogs depend on us now and it is our job to play with them, show them the world, and make them happy, that means understanding their needs that go far beyond conditioning. It´s letting that playful personality shine.

It took a long time and incredible generational dedication to establish human-wolf contact and eventually reach the wonderful situation we find ourselves in today to enjoy the presence of dogs.

We attracted the wolves, we made sure they trusted us, we turned them into personal guards, we gave them jobs and of course, that means we owe them safety and protection.

The fact that dogs are left unattended on the streets, abandoned by their humans, and thrown out of their homes is painful evidence of an ancient promise not kept. Humans owe a huge debt to these extraordinary animals. We could easily feed them without questioning whether they deserve it or not. Imagine that without their help, human society would be less compelling or less alive. Our best friend saved us from predators.

Any country that allows the slaughter of stray dogs has an underdeveloped social structure in my eyes, and I will always leave a system that fails in contemporary times to understand canine ancestry and coordinate its budgets and resources so that animals can have a life and feel safe.