Nigeria, Sept. 20 -- For a little over four days, my compound became a small republic at war.

Two of my dogs fought with a bitterness I had never seen. The older one carried himself as though the title deed to the yard was hidden beneath his paws. He knew every corner and had always enjoyed the younger dog's deference. Then a female dog entered the equation, and instinct overruled history.

This was no ceremonial barking for the neighbours. Teeth found flesh; dust rose. Each separation merely postponed the next assault. By the fourth day, the older dog was badly injured and close to death. The younger stood over him like a claimant who had discovered that age was not invincibility, then walked away as though succession had been settled....