We always take excursions off the hotel property in order to experience some the “real world” and get a taste of what life is actually like for Jamaica’s people. Along with that we also get to see what life is like for the country’s dogs and cats.
In addition to Jamaica, our Caribbean travels have taken us
to Mexico and the Dominican Republic. In all three countries, with the limited
exposure we have had outside the walls of our secure resort, it appeared most
dogs and cats are left to their own devices for survival.
The dogs especially always look the same. Dirty, skinny and
sad. They’re all about the same medium size, mutt mix. They all seemed to walk around
very slowly, their heads hung low with a rather sad look about them.
In Mexico there were
lots of them, we saw the mongrels roaming about pretty much wherever we went.
In the Dominican there were not as many and we were glad to see vet clinics
here and there in the populated areas. And in Jamaica it appeared as if most of
the dogs we saw were owned by someone. They were always in a yard or driveway.
But it didn't matter which country we were in, they all looked the same.
We talked to one of our Jamaican guides and asked him about
how they felt about dogs in his country. He said most people in the rural areas
or smaller towns had a dog as they were considered good for protection of their
property but they were rarely allowed indoors and were never thought of as
members of the family. He said his dog didn't even really have a name but he
made sure he “threw out feed” for the dog when he thought of it. I wanted to
ask more questions but refrained as I’m sure I wouldn't have liked the answers.
I wanted to ask how he acquired his dog. Did he take him to the vet? Did he get
him neutered? But for these folks, I’m sure they have little money to spend on
such things.
When we visited Negril, we came across a street mongrel
whose back leg was broken and hanging uselessly and he hobbled around on his
three remaining good legs. One of his front legs had a large, open sore on it
as well adding to his misfortune. A fellow tourist fed him some potato chips
which didn't seem to be to his liking so I had to assume that he wasn't starving. Still it was a sad scene and many of the Canadian, American and
European tourists felt bad at seeing this dog in such a poor condition.
We came across a few cats too but only on the resort itself.
One night we saw a mother cat with her two kittens wandering around the outdoor
entertainment area. They were skittish and ran off when anyone tried to
approach them. Another night we came across two more cats and they actually
allowed us to pet them. One day on the beach Mrs. Nate must have spent 30
minutes straight petting a skinny, black cat that came to sit in the shade with
us. We had nothing to offer these cats for food but again they did not seem to
be completely starving.
We always feel bad for all these animals living the way they
do and wished we had the resources to help out the ones that we cross paths
with. I get the feeling that most of these animals aren't abused in any way,
they’re just simply left to survive on their own. Right here in Calgary, I’m
sure there are many, many dogs that suffer even worse fates being owned by
cruel, abhorrent people. Dogs kept outside all day no matter the weather,
neglected and separated from their “families”. At least in Jamaica, the dogs are free to roam
about as they please, aren't kept in filthy dog runs and never have to suffer
extreme cold temperatures. At least this is what I tell myself while visiting
these countries.
I can’t help but think of all the domestic animals around
the world that are doing the best they can with the hand they have been dealt
in this life. There are so many and it’s an overwhelming thought.
