Ok fine, maybe not all. But a lot do because of cultural beliefs.
I’m talking about the neutering or spaying of a canine companion, an action so normal and granted in the first world, and yet so taboo in the third.
What is it with men– and, more specifically, men from traditionally sexist cultures– and their unwillingness to neuter their dog? I’ve seen some take issue with the removal of breeding potential regardless of the pet’s gender, but it’s a more pronounced problem (an offense, almost) when the dog in question is male. I have to wonder if these men’s psyche cannot recognize the difference between their own genitals and that of their four-legged friends.
It’s as if there is a latent fear that by stripping the dog of its reproductive instinct they will lose part of their manliness; as if by removing the dog’s testicles they would be denying themselves sexual pleasure or the possibility of multiple partners. Newsflash: Your dog’s dick is in no way connected to yours. You’re not getting off by proxy.
And then for the funny twist: At risk of stating the obvious, a man who is a man, sure of himself, his sexuality, his own identity and self-worth, doesn’t have to retort to living vicariously through a dog’s sexual escapades as if they are his. A complete man doesn’t need to prove himself valuable, even less through the ridiculous, subconscious notion that the dog’s sexual status is a representation of his own.
Au contraire, by projecting on the dog what they wish themselves could do they succeed in proving the exact opposite: how insecure, how small, how fragile and threatened is their masculinity. Oh, the irony.
Taking an example from real life, a few months ago a Facebook friend posted pictures of his bitch’s (snort) brand new litter. Beautiful, adorable pups, with a caption that read Let me know if you want a puppy. Because this is the thing of course, pups are born and there’s too many of them so homes for them must be found. What kind of home? Who gives a shit, just get rid of them fast, before they grow up and no longer hold that delightful and innocent big-eyed puppy appeal.
Then the comments under the picture began, and I was quite pleased to see one young woman in particular gently pointing out to said dude that it’s best to get the dog spayed, because accidents happen (like they clearly already had) and he could end up with a new litter again. His response? “Well, I’ve seen what dogs look like after getting fixed and I just ain’t feeling it.“
He was clearly referring to the sometimes saggy pouch a dog can get on its belly after getting fixed. And this is the part where I struggled with myself, holding back from virtually jumping on the guy’s throat, because you just ain’t feeling WHAT, exactly? My dear (four) readers, I was this close to asking the guy if he was planning on fucking his dog anytime soon and that’s why her looks are so important. Seriously.
In full disclosure and desire to be fair I’ll also say that, sadly, lack of proper information has left women not too far behind, arguing that their dog should enjoy the natural privilege that is birth and other similar nonsense.
Here are the straight facts: Dogs, unlike humans, don’t feel an emotional need to have babies. They’re too busy being dogs and sniffing asses to get caught up in the whirlwinds of motherhood or worrying about their biological clock ticking. They don’t have pressures from family or society expecting them to settle down and pop out kids, nor do they think for a second that the only way to justify their existence is by having babies. To them coitus isn’t pleasure, it is a mere instinctual act no different from eating or shitting, so enough of the but I want to give my dog the chance to experience parenthood bullshit. Fix your own emotional needs instead of trying to make them your dog’s.
And those cute puppies that were born because of irresponsible owners, or worse, because of ignorant tools thinking the dog deserves to breed? Good luck and may life have mercy on them. It doesn’t matter how well we know the people who are adopting them, or how highly recommended they were by the cousin of the neighbor of the hotdog cart lady’s son. Truth of the matter is, statistically, most of them will end up as strays, sick without proper veterinary care, abused, or surrendered to a shelter where they will subsequently be euthanized. Is that what you want for those chubby tail-wagging balls of adorbness? If so, you suck.
Thankfully, there is a silver lining. Mentalities seem to be changing and little by little there seems to be more awareness into the importance of not bringing more pups into the world. The amount of dead dogs that you find on the road any given day in Monterrey, my hometown, is a big indication of why we shouldn’t. If money is an issue there are lots of programs in place to help cover the cost of neutering and spaying. Don’t be lazy and look something up for your city, call shelters and ask for info, or check with your vet. I guarantee you’ll find some rays of hope.
The best way to avoid the problem altogether is, if you want to get a dog adopt one from a shelter. They come already fixed, so you won’t have to worry about that part of their care. Plus you’ll be saving a life instead of boosting the pockets of asshole pet shop owners and puppy mill jerks. This is very important. Feel free to look at any undercover videos from puppy mills and you’ll understand why you shouldn’t buy another dog from anyone, anywhere, ever again.
In conclusion, chauvinistic men of the world, stop reflecting your insecurities trying to hide them behind the size of your dog’s balls and thus letting the world know how little self-confidence you really have. If only Freud was alive.
Fix that dog. Woof.
