Charlie, Nigeria and the lessons of a dog

How do we respond to gunmen in Paris and children used as bombs in Nigeria?

I offer the story of Gabi's week, Gabi my ex rescue dog.  She has been badly bitten in the past and wary of other dogs, so generally only off lead when we have the field to ourselves, though she has been getting better recently.

Monday enjoying exploring the field, checking the smells and a generally good time - when another free dog arrived with owner tagging behind.  The dogs met each other and whilst us humans were still at each side of the field the greeting sniff went to growls and fur was flying before we knew it.  We reached them and parted them - it was a spat for dominance no real aim to maim.

But next day, even on the lead, Gabi couldn't pass another dog without an instant growl - the fight had reinforced what she had long suspected, that other dogs are a threat, and presumes they are all enemies, so she gets in her defensive attack warning first 'don't mess with me'.

The trouble is that starting from the defensive attack, and indiscriminately, just increases the odds of another dog responding to her threatening behaviour - the self fulfilling prophecy effect.

So back to violence in our world, like the dogfight it gets us nervous, fearful but of whom? Just some, or all of the Other? And how can we tell? But the need to defend easily turns into proactive aggression.   Fear is powerful but can be destructive and doesn't wait for knowledge but spreads until we fear all, even those that would be friends.

Gabi can't reason beyond her fear and urge to fight back first.but we are more than that basic instinct, as people we can decide to do things differently - if we dare!