Natural History

Posted in dog domestication, wolves | Tagged Arabian wolf | 9 Comments

9 Responses

1. on June 6, 2011 at 1:18 pm M.R.S.

   It would be more accurate to say that this wolf (representing the modern Arabian wolf) shares ancestors in common with modern dogs.

   We don’t know that “this wolf” is congruent in all respects with the ancestors of today’s dogs, a point that you made very well in the post on “Dogs are the really successful wolf”.

   And obviously “this specific individual wolf” (the one in the video) is not the ancestor of any modern dogs. Wolf-dogs, perhaps….

   Language is a tricky thing!

   
   
   • on June 6, 2011 at 6:15 pm retrieverman

     It is the modern representative of the subspecies that is the major ancestor of the dog.

     
     
2. on June 7, 2011 at 4:14 pm Jessica B

   Keep up the awesome work! This is a very interesting video and the Dolf (dog-wolf) seems pretty happy, although I cannot agree with him being chained. I’m pretty amazed that they have him as a “pet” since having a dog as a pet is prohibited in Islam. In fact, if a Muslim keeps a dog as a pet “God will take away some heavenly reward.” This is because a little puppy stopped the Angel Gabriel from entering the house of Allah’s Messenger because it was “unclean”. After that the Messenger ordered the killing of all dogs and spared only those that are used for hunting, for herding and for watching. Furthermore, he ordered that all black dogs be killed and called them “a Satan”. (Note that angels do not enter a place with a dog, or accompany people who travel with a dog according to Islam.) So this video gives me hope that not all are subject to the brain washing that occurs. Another example of the hard work you do to find insight for us dog lovers. You are always finding great information!(REFERENCES USED: http://www.answering-islam.org/Silas/dogs.htm)

   
   
   • on June 7, 2011 at 8:55 pm Dave

     Islam is open to interpretation depending on the tribal traditions and the individual branches. Some of the Muslims will pet my dog, others take a wide berth to him. When I asked, there’s a wide assortment of opinions on the dogs’ role in the religion.

     
     
   • on June 8, 2011 at 1:06 am Jess

     The Koran makes an exception for hunting and herding/guarding dogs. There is a wide difference in interpretation as well; Muslims pray five times a day, and must be ‘clean’ before prayer, therefore, if you have touched a dog before prayer time, you must wash your hands. Many Muslims are highly practical about it, a friend of mine tells of Bedouin washing their hands with sand after handling Salukis.

     In the West, a lot of stuff just goes out the window.

     
     
3. on June 7, 2011 at 7:05 pm bjarne

   Well I don´t think the muslim tradition says anything about wolfs!

   
   
4. on June 8, 2011 at 11:43 am Jessica B

   Technology is great in the fact that it is allowing more people to see beyond sterotypes and is allowing the younger generation to change the traditions. (Example- In China a group of people stopped a truck carrying dogs meant for food, then negotiated their release). For all the stupidity and maliciousness the internet holds, there is hope and intelligence among it.

   Dave- to each its own I guess. I hope that with every generation positive change resounds =)

   Jess- yeah on that same site I referenced above I read some thing similar to that about washing with sand. I wonder what the significance is regarding that vs washing with water. Maybe it has to do with fact that water is so scarce that it is sacred

   Bjarne- point well made =)

   
   
   • on June 8, 2011 at 3:04 pm Jess

     It just means that water is scarce and you don’t waste it, especially when the washing itself is more symbolic than literal.

     
     
5. on June 8, 2011 at 11:44 am Jessica B

   *stereotypes* boy my spelling is lacking today.

   
   

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