We refer to the malaysiakini report Doggone great: Medals for Lucky and Flo .

PetPositive applauds the government for bestowing special medals to disc-sniffing dog duo Lucky and Flo in Putrajaya. Needless to say, the unusual top-level honours presented to the pair of Labrador Retrievers was not only well-earned but also unprecedented in the history of our nation.

There are a number of important lessons that we as human beings can all draw from our authorities' exemplary action in recognising the contributions of these special canine visitors to our country.

They are:

  • Dogs are such wonderful creatures. Given the right kind of support, training and love, human beings can peacefully and successfully coexist with animals. One need not be fearful about canines or find them a nuisance.

  • All of God's creations, no matter how lowly some people may consider them to be, need to be loved and appreciated. Dogs, in particular, need to be respected and even protected from harm's way. Dogs often become victims of human cruelty because they are naturally trusting in nature and in most cases would rather suffer hurt than retaliate with their fangs.

  • All dogs have value and worth whether they are a pedigree or a non-pedigree.

  • All religion teaches us to be kind to animals. Dogs, in particular, are used in many of the world's great religions from Islam to Hinduism to teach us the finer points of life and faith.

  • Dogs take on many roles when participating with their human families. They make great companions as pets, work as excellent police, search and rescue dogs, assist the handicapped and the elderly to lead more independent and happier lives and even provide therapy and healing for the sick and the dying. All these fully-trained special dogs should be given the right of access to public areas without question when they are performing their duties.

    • Given all these excellent traits, it is only right that all of us do our part to give canines and all other animals the respect they truly deserve whether they are pets in our homes or strays on the streets.

    Now that Lucky and Flo are no longer with us, it is important that their legacy is carried on for all of the local canines in our country. Our local councils should come up with laws that are not only kind and fair to pets and their owners but also come up with local awards for dogs and their owners who show good examples to the others citizens in our society.

    Special awards and assistance by the local councils should also be given to the many unsung ordinary Malaysians who volunteer their time, money and even their lives to rescue unwanted and distressed animals in a tireless effort to place them in loving and permanent homes.

    The writer is president, Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (PetPositive).