George Jonas: The wisdom of a Spanish bull
August 21, 2010 – 7:58 am
Spectators try to escape after a bull leapt into the stands during a 'recortadores' competition in Tafalla August 18, 2010. At least 40 spectators were injured on Wednesday after the bull jumped into the stands during the competition, in which young boys run before the bull trying to avoid being caught.
REUTERS/Alberto Galdona
Experienced dogs recognize that the enemy to snap at is the hand holding the stick. Or even better, the ankle — say, of the village postman who carries a stick for protection. There’s a human ankle at the root of every poking stick. They’re easy to reach even for small dogs, and send the enemy hopping. A Maltese Silk Pincher I knew, maybe five pounds sopping wet, could make postmen hop every time he felt like it. He often did.
Sticks test canine IQs. When poked, dumb dogs go for the stick, smart dogs for the hand, canine Einsteins for the ankle. Dogs graduating to flock-guarding duty in the Carpathian Basin are ankle nippers. For a smart nip on the ankle, shake a stick at a yappy kind of sheepdog called a Puli. Better wear sturdy boots. Since the entire dog is just a black bundle of ropey hair, you can’t tell the biting end from the other.
Bulls aren’t as smart as dogs. This single factor is responsible for the development of Spanish culture — well, maybe not Cervantes, but the part that’s based on tauromachy.
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