TRANG PROVINCE, Southern Thailand -- Security work brings hazards, as demonstrated by Kola, a watchful dog dedicated to protecting her favorite humans and to safeguarding their small rubber plantation.

On June 9, six-year-old Kola zigged when she should have zagged. She made a miscue on one of her self-appointed duties – ridding the plantation of dangerous snakes. In a confrontation with a cobra, she chomped on the snake and killed the intruder. Evidently bitten too, Kola died hours later. A rubber worker discovered her body late at night.

“Kola was beloved,” said Tossaporn Kurupunya, the dog’s primary owner. “Everyone who knew her feels grief. Suddenly, the place seems quiet and very empty.”

Previously, Kola executed many snakes near the house or among the rubber trees. “We knew that one day she might fight her last,” said Tossaporn. “She died doing her duty to protect the people around her. Some people look after dogs, but Kola looked after us. I’ve known many dogs, but Kola stood in a class by herself.”

As a Thai dog of mixed local breeds, Kola showed “fantastic” instincts. “What she did wasn’t pointless confrontation with danger. She made the place much safer. She often detected snakes dangerously close to people.

“Being in charge of security, she challenged other unfamiliar comers too. Packs of dogs liked to raid us and try to steal the chickens. Kola fought them, despite being outnumbered, smaller and a female.

“Sometimes we found her gazing intensely into the rubber-tree canopy. Following her lead, we’d see an eagle set to dive at the chickens, but Kola waited to intervene. She was a real battler with immense heart.”

To her owners, Kola showed gentleness, sensitivity and respect. Her manners topped those of many people.

“Most dogs would follow us, but Kola always walked in front,” Tossaporn said. “She wanted to face any dangers first. She liked to keep close, often with her back to us. Her eyes and ears stayed alert.”

Some dogs doze soundly, but never Kola. As softly as anyone approached when she rested, her eyes invariably fluttered open.

“We raised a little bird that we feared Kola might harm, but she recognized it as belonging to us and wouldn’t hurt it, even as the bird danced on the floor near her,” Tossaporn said. “When the bird went missing, Kola helped us to search. Once the bird returned, Kola sniffed at it, and we knew she felt happy to have it back.”

Unlikely to beg at meals, Kola preferred to wait patiently for her own grub. As Tossaporn slept, Kola bided time outside the bedroom door.

Although mindful of work, Kola loved belly-rubs as “one of life’s great pleasures”. She often rolled onto her back, waited for someone to pass and then beckoned.

If Kola did something wrong, her humans needed to scold just once. Then she avoided repeat offences. Being intelligent, sensitive and eager to please, she might mope, miserable, for days. Other dogs could forget reprimands within minutes.

“She always knew which areas we’d designated for her in the house,” Tossaporn said. “But if she noticed us looking for something that might be a rat or a snake, she never hesitated to help and then return to where she was allowed.”

Neighbors admired Kola. Some pleaded to borrow her for hunting. Others requested her offspring.

Two months ago, Kola delivered a puppy named Pepsi. “The puppy has been crying, missing her mother,” Tossaporn said. “When Pepsi got into difficulties, she always ran to Kola for a drink of milk and then the world seemed alright again. Now we’ll fiercely protect Pepsi.” With luck, the youngster won’t confront so many snakes.

Kola’s buried near a red-palm tree at the plantation gate where she arrived as a puppy. “Each time we pass there, we’ll see her in our minds,” Tossaporn said. “That’s where she always welcomed us home.”

Unlike most dogs, Kola had a funeral. Her human admirers “needed a ritual to bid farewell to such a faithful friend”. Tossaporn consulted Buddhist monks on how to “make merit” so that Kola’s spirit enjoys its rest.

A family friend penned the eulogy:

“Kola,
You were one in a million.
Precious.
Irreplaceable.
We valued you beyond measure.
Tears flow.
Our hearts break, torn from us.
Grief unspeakable.
We thank you for your love.
We celebrate your life.
We mourn your death.
Your passing is so hard to take.
How do we get through a day?
The activities become meaningless.
We go through the motions.
You’re not there.
Your smile,
Your welcome,
Your warmth,
Your intelligence,
Your care for us,
Gone,
And so we weep.
We pray your spirit mantle will fall on Pepsi,
A legacy, a gift you left for us.
Thank you that you didn’t go until you had a part of you to leave for us.
Thank you, Kola, for what you meant and will always mean to us.
Farewell, good friend, protector and companion.
We will never forget you.”

Now the plantation workers and residents must increase their own vigilance against dangerous snakes and other intruders. “Kola would be very sorry if we’re bitten by reptiles because she’s not here to guard us anymore,” Tossaporn said. “We’ll try to be very careful so she can sleep in peace.

“In a way, I think she’ll always be here, keeping watch among the rubber trees.”

ARCHIVES

Gladly, Kola keeps watch near a favorite human.


Handling intruders: big snakes...


...or small ones, Kola took a tough line.


Kola does sentry duty on an outside staircase.


The noble security director stays alert.


Mother and child: Kola enjoys a small Pepsi.


Puppy Pepsi: 'fiercely protected'.


Vigilant Kola made a rare mistake. Maybe she'll
'always keep watch among the rubber trees'.