Saudi Arabia: Abdullah’s Desire for a Dog

by American Bedu (April 9, 2010)

Abdullah was a unique Saudi in so many different ways.  Dogs continue to be a controversial subject within Islam and in Saudi Arabia on whether it is halal (acceptable) or haram (forbidden) to have a dog.  I learned shortly after our 2002 arrival in the United States that my husband was fascinated by all the Americans who’d be out with their dogs.  He observed the dogs were well-behaved, friendly and loyal to their owners.  He had never thought about dogs much before but started to find himself drawn to them.  Our neighbors owned two large dogs.  They happened to be pit bulls.  Pit bulls are strong muscular dogs which in some cases, were bred specifically for fighting.  Our neighbors however, loved their dogs and showered them with affection.  These two dogs were also among the best trained dogs we had seen.  Over time, Abdullah found himself more comfortable and at ease with our neighbors dogs.  So much so, that eventually he offered to take them for walks and became a dog sitter anytime our neighbors were out of town.  He found that he liked and preferred large breed dogs.

To my surprise, as the clock started to wind down for our upcoming departure to Saudi Arabia, he seriously contemplated getting a dog to take back to Saudi Arabia with him.  This decision was made in spite of my having three cats at the time which would also accompany us to the Kingdom.  Now Abdullah did not just want any dog.  He wanted a big dog and a dog which was adaptable to the intense heat of Saudi Arabia.  He took his quest seriously and spent time on the internet researching the different breeds of dogs.  Ultimately, he narrowed his search down to the Greyhound breed.  He was very happy when his research uncovered that the greyhound is thought to have origins to the Saluki, the native dog of Saudi Arabia.

Rather than acquire a greyhound puppy, Abdullah investigated adopting a greyhound which had been rescued from the dog tracks.  Many greyhounds which were raced at the tracks were seen simply as a commodity and once they had passed their racing peak would oftentimes be killed.  We visited a greyhound rescue facility to see the condition and personalities of the greyhounds present.  Abdullah found himself drawn to the “brindle greyhound.”  He liked its sleek body and unique colors.  He was assured that the greyhound was adaptable to Saudi Arabia and cautioned to never take a greyhound out without being leashed.  Former greyhound racers liked to run and could easily be lost from sight if it was not on a leash when out.  Abdullah was strongly advised that a greyhound needed room to exercise and should not be cooped inside of a home all day.  That advice was actually what had Abdullah change his mind from taking a greyhound back with him to Saudi Arabia.  We were returning to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan and also did not yet know where we would be living.  Although we returned to Saudi Arabia without Abdullah’s brindle greyhound, over the years he made many references to the breed and that particular dog.  When we returned to America in 2009 for Abdullah to receive medical treatment for his battle against leukemia, he made multiple references that this time, after he was well, we needed to find his greyhound to take back to Saudi Arabia with us.

We did not find that greyhound as Abdullah did not win the battle against his aggressive leukemia.  However I can envision him in a pain free place with a satisfied smile on his face and his brindle greyhound by his side.