I live on a fairly busy street that intersects with a much busier street, on which sits a hospital about a mile up the road. In the opposite direction, my street also connects with the interstate. Sirens from ambulances and police are a daily occurrence, and each time as they pass by, the neighborhood dogs fire up their howls to lend their support.
All the dogs outside for blocks and blocks seem to participate in this beloved activity, and for all I know, all the inside dogs do, too, likely to the consternation of their owners. Evolution says that the dogs believe the sirens are other dogs, probably coming to play with them, and coming fast. That’s exciting news, of course, and so wanting to share that news with other dogs, these dogs begin to howl, which sets off the domino effect of all dogs everywhere howling.
Every time it happens, though, I can’t help thinking it’s both adorable and funny, and that they are maybe just trying to help, or communicate that they also have paramedical training and could provide assistance if given the opportunity and/or treats. I imagine them thinking, “Someone is hurt or in danger. The humans think sirens will help. We will give them sirens.”
And so they do. And then their work is done. Unfortunately, the sirens were not harbingers of additional furry friends; no dogs showed up to play, but that doesn’t mean they won’t next time. These dogs are optimistic. “Perhaps it was that we didn’t howl loudly enough,” one might suggest at the next all-dog neighborhood meeting, where dogs routinely strategize around increasing the amount of pets, playtime, and treats. All of the other dogs agree to redouble their efforts. The meeting is adjourned.
This may not be what is happening, of course. From other perspectives, what brought the sirens is likely to be worse than this scenario. Somewhere down the road a dog may have lost a human friend.
But until the paramedics or police stop to pick up these dogs for assistance, it’s really not their problem. The next time you hear sirens, all you can really do is try again. Be you.
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