The street dogs

As in many third world countries, there are many dogs here who live on the streets. They seem to be OK with it, or at least they seemed to be until it got bitching cold out. Now I hear them barking quite aggressively and they even follow people in the hopes of getting something, ANYTHING from them.

This is one of the things that makes me sad here. I have always had a soft spot for animals and honestly I often think I prefer them to most people. At least their intentions are honest and you know what they are thinking. Its always about self preservation and that is just a matter of survival. No dog or cat has yet hurt my feelings, betrayed me or broken my heart. A couple have bit me, and scratched me but then really those were my fault. I have always had utterly fulfilling relationships with animals (more than I can say for most of the men who have crossed my path, and quite of few of the women as well) and have in general had very good pet Karma.

Now I see puppies, dogs and everything in between clearly famished and freezing in the streets. They sometimes bark all night and there isnt a damn thing I can do about it.

Like an old lady, I now carry pet food in my purse. It is relatively cheap here so I carry a bit to give to puppies especially. Its not a solution but it makes me feel better and that is all I can do right now. There is a black mut up the street who sleeps under an overhang, and he got to taste a few of my dishes last week. I took all my leftovers to him, and now he follows me around town; he walked me to school the other day- rigt to the base of the steps. Soon I will have a pack of dogs following me around. That will make for an interesting farewell at the airport.

So why am I writing about this now? Well in general I have been a bit blue and these things effect me ten-fold when I am not at my best. I find myself in near tears on an off simply becasue of a dog, who for all I know is perfectly content being free on the streets. I was first effected by this in Ecuador, but it is certainly not limited to South America. Korea as you know had a problem with people discarding their pets. 25,000 dogs a year are left on the streets in Korea by their owners. Most get run down, but the odd one makes his way into the arms of a foreign sucker. Like Oscar did!

Anyhow, at least it is a Friday before a week vacation and next week the students are off on a ski trip. WE still have to come to work! Oh well.