So here I am, nursing my jet-lag and feeling a bit melancholic after my spiritually uplifting visit with my friend Anita. I’m taking time to contemplate and reflect on my visit to Munich and Bonn with her.

What made me feel as if I were on another planet, because I had never before taken note of it, was the behavior of dogs. Any size dogs. From little Asian temple doggies to the humongous Anatolian Mastiff parading along Theatiner Straße in Munich, they all behaved like civilized individuals. By that I mean: there was no desire to smell a “colleague,” or a person with interesting characteristics. Waiting for the subway, or bus, or train to arrive, they sat patiently until it was time to board. One tiny gesture was all that was needed and the dog obeyed. Only on one occasion, coming out of the a department store, the dog inside the rolling door saw a Boxer on the outside and pounced on it, embarrassing its owner and startling everyone else. Iyayayayayai, teeth flaring, ready for the kill. I had to laugh out loud, for that was what I am accustomed to when M’Penzi takes me on a walk. All threat and no action, but always annoying, for sure. I asked several people what they had done to have their pet’s complete attention. Response: dog school. No one, apparently, is allowed to take ownership of a dog without first having trained with it, and thoroughly. That is also why they can be let loose in a park where they run the length and width of the green and return instantly when called. What do they call them with? A silent whistle! Even Spitzes and Pomeranians, those super communicative, barky dogs, behaved outside of their home! Ordnung, Ordnung, Ordnung… Order must be at all costs. What a civilized society. And, coming from the US, I didn’t even find it in the least bit restrictive.

The real clincher however was seeing dogs with a waistline! - I would say the preferred pets are hounds or hunting dogs; those agile creatures that have a waistline, apparently, by design: German Shepherds, Weimeraners, Retrievers, Basenjis, Dachshounds… But what do you say to our lovely square dogs, such as Labrador Retrievers, Pugs, or Bulldogs? Those guys all displayed well-defined rib-cages. No “foodie” type snacks: ergo svelte shapes. Watching them play and chase each other in the English Garden, one can tell that the athleticism and display of joy is due to their healthy physical condition.

I also learned that Pugs are being bread to have longer noses so that they are able to breathe with greater ease. Not that much of a difference to the uneducated eye, but certainly for the owner who can sleep through the night without being disturbed by the pet’s snorting and snoring, and more snorting and snoring.

Poor M’Penzi, I came home, and after the big welcome, right away told him his liberal snacking days are over. Regarding the training? I’ve given it a try. When we arrived at doggie school in Cottonwood, the trainer just looked at him and said: “What have we here… a Basenji. Now this little guy will either do what he’s told, or he won’t. It’s the breed: intelligent, independent, self-reliant.” She wanted to know what had made me choose the little guy. “I’m a cat person,” I answered, knowing we’d have a challenge on our hands, “and this breed is the most feline-like.”

We both learned something in the classes, my dog and I. He learned to let me know he deserved a treat for following direction, and I learned that it is me who needs the training. This little crafty guy has me sitting where he’s not disturbed, has me avoiding sounds and noises that might annoy him, and that without barking he’s the one in charge of graciously allowing a guest into our home. Lovable little tyrant! Dynamite is small too!

So, I sit here and wonder if M’Pen, seeing his trained German “colleagues” could be inspired to also follow suite? I just wonder…