Acclaimed writer and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, Professor Njabulo Ndebele, has called for South Africans to reconnect with their humanity through a new and caring relationship with their dogs.

Writing in the Mail and Guardian (17 Sept. 2006), Professor Ndebele said that the dog, so long denigrated, so long a symbol of abuse, should become a celebration of the qualities associated with this remarkable friend of humans: intelligence, empathy, loyalty, dependability, friendship, courage, protectiveness, sensitivity and caring. 'Let us now honour the dog,' he said. 'Let us declare 2007 "The Year of the Dog"'.

Read 'The Street Kid and the Stray' for an understanding of why caring for animals is a vital part of retaining or recovering humanity.