If you love dogs, read this. If you don’t ... you definitely need to.

THEY say a dog is man’s best friend, but here in South Africa our dogs have evolved into something far greater. They are our comedians, comforters, security guards, therapists, fitness trainers, and on most days, better humans than humans.

While we fight over potholes, politics and petrol prices, dogs remain gloriously consistent: loyal, present, and always ready to love without conditions, terms, or a three-page contract.

They are also good teachers. Think about it: dogs don’t attend self-help seminars or subscribe to inspirational YouTube channels, yet they live with a dignity and wisdom that would put most philosophers to shame.

For starters, a dog is always hungry, sometimes for food, but always for life. We humans could do with more of that: hungry for learning, growth, and the occasional second helping of biryani.

And dogs have no fixed residence. They’re not worried about bond repayments or whether their neighbour is stealing their Wi-Fi.

They remind us not to chain ourselves to material things. A dog sleeps lightly, only as much as it needs, while many of us treat sleep like a part-time job.

And when their time comes, they leave no inheritance, no attachments, no drama, an approach several people I know should urgently study.

Dogs are content with small spaces. No need for mansions, ensuite bathrooms or mood lighting. If someone else lawfully takes their spot, they move on without fuss.

They obey when called, sit humbly when their master eats, and when they walk away from a place, they never look back.

No clinging. No “let me check one last time.”

Just forward motion. Dogs are, in fact, little furry monks disguised as creatures who chew your slippers.

If philosophy doesn’t convince you, let me introduce some South African dogs whose bravery rivals any superhero.

Take Sauer. Born in 1917 at the SAP Dog School in Irene, he was dismissed as “too nervous” for police work.

A reject. A nobody. But under Detective-Sergeant Herbert Kruger, Sauer became a legend.

He once followed a thief’s scent for 132 hours, a world record. He later tracked another criminal across a hundred scorching miles of the Karoo.

Not bad for a dog that almost didn’t make the team.Fast-forward to today and meet Guluva, the pavement special from Mitchells Plain who charged at armed hijackers to save his family.

He was shot in the face for his bravery. The robbers fled. The car was saved. And Guluva survived, tongue torn, but spirit absolutely unbroken.

Then there’s Hero, the stray from Shallcross who refused to abandon his injured companion after she was struck by a train.

For four days he guarded her, fed her, comforted her. She didn’t make it, but Hero was adopted into a loving home, proof that courage sometimes comes wrapped in a dusty coat and sad eyes.

Durban has no shortage of heroic hounds: K9 Ghost, honoured for locating missing children and saving lives during floods. Humphrey, once homeless, who raised over a million rand for the SPCA.

Brock, stabbed four times protecting his family. Leah, the police dog laid to rest like a fallen officer. Through all these stories runs one simple truth:Dogs do not only live in our homes, they live in our hearts. They don’t speak, yet they say everything: Live simply. Love fiercely.

Stand loyally.And when necessary, bite the leg of anyone who threatens your family.

If that’s not worth celebrating, I don’t know what is.

If you want to be a better human, spend time with a dog.

They’ll train you for free, and they never need rebooting.

Vedan is an attorney, community leader, and social commentator based in KwaZulu-Natal. 

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