http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m1111/1823_304/84184701/
print.jhtml A very long, very sad story: forty years ago the Aral Sea was
the fourth-largest inland body of water in the world; by 2010, it is
estimated, it will be completely gone.
The region has suffered great environmental and economic damage. (Evidence for both: the “fishing town” of Moynaq is now eighty miles from the sea.) And there has been attendant social damage. Even the dogs seem to have lost hope. In one incident, the author sees two boys (brothers) in the street. He asks the younger his name. Before the boy can reply, he is inexplicably set upon by his brother, who hits him from behind; the blow knocks him to the ground. As he tries to rise, his brother again pushes him to the ground, and then walks away, “having satisfied some obscure but insatiable impulse.” This is what happens next:
I waited for tears, the shrieks and cries of fraternal terror. Nothing. The naked dusty child was silent. The dog trotted over, and as the boy picked himself up he searched the ground blindly with a small hand. Finally he stood holding a triangular rock. He turned and threw it at the dog, hitting him full in the ribs; the dog flinched but otherwise took the blow in silence. The boy simply walked away. I made soft kissing sounds to summon the dog, who was understandably skittish. I persisted. I didn't know what else to do. When it slinked over, head lowered and panting, I saw a strange red spiderlike creature embedded in its collarless neck. I extended my hand. The dog bit me and staggered off.
(From the April 2002 Harper's.) 16:59