Introducing Flash

Meet Flash, a three year old white poodle-mix who hates having her picture taken and was in the process of beating a hasty retreat when I snapped this photo the other day near a bus stop in the Victory Monument neighborhood. She's an extremely fast dog, and I've never been able to take a photo of her, but we're actually pretty good friends.

Flash hates having her photo taken because she believes that each snapshot takes away part of her soul -- a belief she shares with the Aborginal cultures of Australia and the South Pacific. Although she's pretty relaxed when no one is pointing a camera at her, Flash's skittishness keeps her from hanging out in touristy areas like the Grand Palace and Khao San Road.

Being one of the fastest dogs in Bangkok has its advantages though. For example, Flash has a habit of teasing bully dogs that cause problems for her friends, and being able to outrun these angry hounds after insulting them keeps her from being devoured. One time I myself was cornered by a couple of mangy bullies in a dark alley, and Flash bailed me out using this very tactic.

"Hey morons, a thousand baht says you can't catch me!" Flash shouted to the bullies, who immediately gave chase. Flash led them through a maze of back alleys and around a corner onto a main street -- and into the open doors of a Bangkok municipal dog catcher's van. She's a good friend.