Biscuit the Diplodog
Building bridges in unexpected ways
On a random Thursday night in September, I became a dog mom. The next morning, he had his own Instagram account.
Meet Biscuit, a rescue we took in from a Saudi family who needed to rehome him. He’s a playful Maltese mix who loves a good belly rub but hates being left alone. In just a few months he’s brightened our home with energy and life we didn’t know we needed.
Even when he digs up a spot in the yard, whines, or chews his blanket to smithereens (we’re working on it), it’s hard to stay mad for long. He loves so freely, greets so warmly, and provides comfort and structure we have come to rely on.
He’s also famous. To understand why, we need to discuss two things: Hadith and Kashtah.
Dogs have long been considered culturally and historically impure in Islam. Reasons are complex (e.g. as explored here, here, and here). Several hadiths (oral traditions and understanding based on narratives about the Prophet Muhammad’s life and sayings rather than theological Qur'an teachings) refer to dogs. Cats are beloved while dogs avoided, but times are shifting.
Which brings us to Kashtah, an Arabian-style desert picnic outing. Popular during cooler winter months, families and friends gather on carpets around bonfires for food, community, and nature. This generally happens away from the city in the desert, with a modern nod to Bedouin heritage, but we witness fireless variations of this in our neighborhood and it is a vibrant part of Saudi life to witness. One nearby park is listed on Google Maps as simply “oasis experience.”
Local families flock to our trail for a quiet sunset above Wadi Hanifa, a mostly dry 75-mile valley that runs through Riyadh. Such serenity is rare in this city of 8 million people that bustles with gridlocked traffic and sleek architecture. Numerous families and groups of friends enjoy Kashtah just steps from our home. I can’t blame them – it’s beautiful.
Enter Biscuit.
In other places we’ve lived like Frankfurt or Sydney, dogs are a ubiquitous part of life. They ride busses, frequent cafes, drink from communal water bowls, and are welcomed guests most everywhere. Here, Biscuit is a novelty. Every single night we walk along our trail he is treated like a rock star: both feared and adored. I hope it doesn’t go to his head and he’ll demand more treats.
Responses vary but are never indifferent. Young children start to cry and hide inside their mother’s flowing abaya. Women jump. Husbands protect. Grandmothers smile from a distance. Young adults giggle. Older children often send a brave representative to test the waters.
“What is its name?” one will timidly approach and ask. Soon the others, cowered nearby, begin to gather around Biscuit. Patient with his newest fan zone, he sits, stays, and waits while they attempt to pet him. Secretly, I think he loves celebrity life.
Those who haven’t been raised around canines often don’t know how to respect boundaries. Some come on too strong or completely surround Biscuit. If a man lingers too close to me, Biscuit pauses, growls, and then barks. So far, his judgement has been spot on. He’s got me, except when we encountered packs of wadi dogs and he leapt into my arms like a baby while I searched for the nearest rock to scare them off.
Biscuit, like any good diplomat, represents his kind to those who don’t yet understand. He builds bridges between people and cultures who otherwise may not intersect. He has opened the door for conversation and interactions I look forward to and we are all better for it.
I’m not a great dog mom, frankly, any more than I’m a great human mom, but I show up and do my best. I am proud of myself for being open to this new experience that has certainly complicated our lives but also enriched them. Like anything that stretches us, often against what makes logical sense, our capacity increases.
Next time I watch Biscuit patiently interact with his newest fans, I will remember to embrace new experiences, people, and cultures with kindness and not shy away from the unexpected.
You had me at Biscuit's Instagram Account! He is adorable and such a good little diplomat. I really enjoyed reading this, well done! On with the dog treats!
Pets are the best! Biscuit sounds absolutely charming!