Posted on 07/17/2025 8:58:37 AM PDT by MtnClimber
The ruling elites of the Islamic Republic of Iran are not known worldwide for their friendly, sunny dispositions; in fact, they have a long and ever-growing list of pet hates, including America, Israel, women (at least if their heads are uncovered and they’re out in public), and man’s other best friend, dogs. The ruling Iranian mullahs have now extended a ban that was already in effect in over twenty Iranian cities to the entire country: it is now against the law to walk the dog. That means, of course, that while private ownership of dogs as pets is ostensibly permitted in Iran, it has for all intents and purposes been outlawed.
Wamiz, a French-language sitedevoted to news of our four-legged friends, reported on Tuesday that anyone walking a dog “on the streets of Iran now risks more than just a fine – and it’s all down to deeply religious reasons.” Walking a dog has been illegal for years in Tehran and many other cities, and now there is nowhere in the entire Islamic Republic that you can take your dog for a walk and not risk running afoul of the nation’s feared morality police.
The ban is designed, according to Iranian authorities, to “maintain public order, ensure security and protect public health.” Wamiz, however, notes that “critics suspect a cultural-political message behind the crackdown.” This because for many Islamic hardliners in Iran, having a dog as a pet is not just unclean, but also shows that the dog owner has succumbed to the Satanic lure of the Western lifestyle. There are few things one can do to arouse more suspicion among Iranian authorities.
Owning a dog is such a bad thing to do in the Islamic Republic of Iran that the Ayatollah Khamenei himself has emphasized that “keeping dogs for reasons other than herding, hunting, and guard dogs is to be considered reprehensible.” He explained that “walking dogs damages Islamic culture as well as hygiene and the peace of others.”
Why would walking a dog damage Islamic culture? Quite simply, because Islam hates dogs. This goes for Shi’ite Islam, the dominant religion of Islam, as well as Sunni Islam, to which the overwhelming majority of Muslims worldwide adhere. Shi’ite collections of Muhammad’s words and deeds attribute quotes to him including “It is detestable for a Muslim to allow a dog to live in his house” (Al-Kafi H 12735, ch. 12, h 1); “Whoever keeps a dog, every day one qirat (a certain unit of measurement) is reduced from the (good) deeds of his owner” (Al-Kafi H 12736, ch. 12, h 2); and “There is nothing good in dogs except hunting dogs or that which guards cattle.” (Al-Kafi 12738, Ch. 12, h 4)
And so, Wamiz says, while “officially, keeping dogs isn’t banned in Iran, but anyone who has a four-legged friend lives an increasingly dangerous life.” The Iranian authorities are notorious, and feared and hated, worldwide for killing a woman they had arrested, Mahsa Amini, for not wearing her headscarf properly. In light of that and so many other incidents like it, it is no small matter for ordinary citizens even to consider flouting the rules of the regime. And those rules appear to be forever multiplying: “Authorities have repeatedly issued bans in recent years that prohibit taking dogs in cars or to parks or public spaces.”
Even more maddening for dog owners is the fact that the morality police aren’t consistent. Whether or not someone gets away with walking the dog may come down to something as trivial as the identity of the morality cop on duty on any given morning, or even his mood that day. “Enforcement is often arbitrary. Sometimes they turn a blind eye, sometimes they crack down hard.” All in all, however, the Islamic Republic is not trending toward tolerance: “Dog owners are increasingly reporting that their animals are being confiscated or threatened.”
Some courageous Iranians are openly defiant: “Many dog owners refuse to be intimidated. Particularly in the capital, Tehran, many owners continue to walk their pets in the open. But this is far from safe.” Because of the emphasis the Iranian authorities have placed on this ban, “dog walks in Iran may now be seen as a political act. Daily walks with a canine companion have become a cultural battle.” As is so much else in the increasingly paranoid and defensive Islamic Republic.
Toxoplasmosis affects your brain.
They truly amaze me. They can do a number of jobs. Unlike hounds, they can follow a scent with their noses and eyes forward. I love them.
Dogs are very intuitive about people's natures.
When I lived in Colorado I had two neighbors that were essentially communist leftists. The other neighbors were more normal, but probably still dems. My dog hated the two commies. They pretty much reeked of hatred and my dog could sense it.
I have never owned a Golden Lab, but I have a beautiful, gentle, friendly and loyal Golden Retriever. She is the mother of our late Blue Heeler, so she has grieved his loss.
The month after the death of our Blue Heeler, our Maine Coon cat had to be euthanized due to serious pancreatic issues. Bella, our Golden Retriever, had to grieve the loss of her beloved son and our Maine Coon, who was her friend. We spoil her as much as possible.
You are spot on. Having to put a dog or cat to sleep is akin to losing a family member. People who aren’t pet parents don’t understand.
Dogs are truly God’s gift to mankind. I don’t trust people who dislike dogs.
Girlfriend had an Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) - great dog.
They are part of me.
Without them I do not feel whole
They have protected, comforted and sustained me for 50 years.
I don’t even know how to be me without then now.
They’re my heart and soul.
❤️
Now you have me wondering if the dog my daughter and family took in was a Lab or Retriever. We saw him a lot and he was as sweet and gentle as could be. Greeted us at the door when we went there and he wanted the loving to begin right then!
Reading about the differences, the Retriever description fits better as Cooper wasn’t boisterous or playful...He just wanted to be petted - all day long...I have a picture on the wall here by my computer with my grandson soon after the dog came to live with them and he did have longer hair - the labs are more short hair, right? He was always referred to as “a golden” hence my hesitancy now. I’ve always thought of retrievers as being red but I guess they don’t have to be...WOW!
I am far from an expert on dogs, so I hesitate to give you a definite answer. Our Golden Retriever chose to live with us after being mistreated by her former owners who lives a few houses away from us. Acquiring her was a happy accident:)
Your daughter’s dog had the personality of a Retriever. He must have been absolutely precious.
Our Retriever has long golden hair. Our closest neighbor had a black lab who had short hair, so you are correct about the short hair.
I enjoyed reading about your daughter’s precious dog:)
They really are great dogs.
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