Bangkok Street Dogs

A place to learn about the lives of street dogs in Bangkok, Thailand, with emphasis on the individual characters of the Bangkok street dog community and their stories of hardship and humor.

View Casanova's Welcome Message

Monday, August 15, 2005

Introducing Bruno the Heckler



Bruno, a two year old brown and black mutt who hangs out near the lake at the Tobacco Monopoly of Thailand on Ratchadapisek Road, is the Official Heckler of the Bangkok street dog community. His favorite activity -- and one that takes up most of his energies -- is sitting alongside busy roads and sidewalks and making cutting remarks about other dogs that pass by.

Part of the reason why Bruno is such a verbal bully is that he's very self-conscious about his looks -- I mean, let's face it, he's not going to win any contests for handsomeness. In fact, Bruno's mom was actually not a dog, but a hyena! She escaped from the Bangkok zoo in July 2003 and led animal control experts on a wild chase around the city, apparently finding enough time to become pregnant before she was captured. Bruno endured a lot of teasing growing up, which is probably why he became such an insufferable nuisance!

Bruno aims his invective at both street dogs and dogs with owners. He particularly loathes small, fancily-coiffed dogs such as poodles and terriers, and he becomes extremely agitated whenever he sees one. Just after I took this photo, Bruno noticed a well-groomed Chihuahua yapping noisily at him out of the closed window of a passing Mercedes, and erupted with a staccato burst of unrepeatable insults. "Hey tough guy, why don't you come over here and bark in my face?" laughed Bruno, his voice dripping with derision. "I've eaten breakfasts bigger than you, you little fluff-ball!"

7 Comments:

Blogger Bubblegum Marxist said...

Waaaa... Bruno is one ugly SOB, but i liked how he disturbed the yappy chihuahua; annoying lapdogs need to be put in their place once in a while. And hyenas are cool!!! (although it might have been for the better that Bruno's mama was recaptured... imagine the sort of bad hyena things she might have taught him during his formative years)

10:56 AM  
Blogger Karen (and sometimes Casey) said...

I think Bruno is one good looking chap, almost as cute as my spoiled suburban house dog. I love your blog. Keep up the good work.

1:22 PM  
Blogger Rycrisp said...

You eat breakfast for breakfast?!!!

10:02 AM  
Blogger Anika From Darwin said...

Bruno is my kinda dog, small, yapping dogs are VERY annoying!!

One up to Bruno!!! You da Man!!

8:14 PM  
Blogger Chuck said...

I really love your blog. I have been to Bangkok a few times and I am always fascinated by the dogs everywhere.

3:26 AM  
Blogger Ava's Mom and Dad said...

Nice dog...

9:30 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hi, You deserve umpteen kudos for your work. Youv'e given all the street dogs a wonderful life through your blogs too! Keep it up.

5:59 AM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home