Oaxacan LIfe: Part Four-- Los Perros! (The Dogs!)

This sad, shy little fellow, "Whitey", has made his home on the hill--El Fortin-- where I frequently hike. There is a group of pooches that have claimed the grounds of the "big white tent", as I call it-- a huge, covered amphitheater at the top of a long series of stairs that hosts various events in "non-Covid" times. (All the names are ones I have given to the pooches myself. I imagine other hikers that frequent these hills may have done the same thing!) 

As with India, everywhere I have been in Mexico has a profusion of dogs. The spectrum ranges from the scrawniest, most depressed and bloated street dog to the  pedigreed variety, pampered and well cared for by its proud owner. (Unfortunately,  many of these species clearly do not belong in a hot country like Mexico. I think that their owners are quite selfish and must be primarily interested in the status attributed to owning stylish breeds. Why else would they possess Huskies, Sheep Dogs, Saint Bernards and other such animals completed unsuited for this particular climate? It galls me no end! ) 

Unlike India though, there are enough dog lovers around to at least feed the many street dogs, even if they don't actually take them home and give them the care and affection these poor animals need and deserve. If I had the chance and the means, I would gather them up and take them ALL home with me!


The photos I have taken are all of street dogs here in Oaxaca, with the exception of the two playful pups I "adopted" over the weekend I spent up in the mountains of Sierra Norte. (see following blog for more details about that particular adventure!)  


Samson: the wise old elder, I presume! 


This colorful fellow, "Mongrel",  is the leader of the pack to which Whitey also belongs. He is the first to grab the handouts bestowed upon the pack by compassionate hikers... he is not being cruel by such behavior, but simply following the natural alpha dog disposition of looking after himself first. 


This dude--appropriately dubbed "Fatty"-- is not untypical of the average street dog; he spends the vast majority of his days napping. Bloated from too many carbs/unhealthy food unsuitable for dogs, though overweight he is badly undernourished... a sad case, indeed. I imagine that the bad diet and lack of love and affection may account for the depressed and lethargic behavior so typical of these animals. 


This cute guy is "Tom Terrific", a rather stately canine who also runs with Mongrel. He has my silent vote as runner up for the alpha dog position, should Mongrel ever abdicate his rule!


Introducing "Sam", whose territory is the abandoned playground below the white tent. I imagine that in non-Covid times, the playground was filled with noisy, happy children. Perhaps Sam is waiting hopefully for those days to return once again?


This is Connie, one of the clan of Sam's at the playground. 


Here we have "Italian Annie": she has the good fortune of having her domain at my favorite local Italian restaurant, La Campagne. Fat and overfed, she is the recipient of the guest's leftovers. Not healthy, to be sure...but at least she has an indoor space in which to hang out. 


Meet "Lilly" and "Sally": two underweight, young and highly energetic pups that are lucky enough to live in Sierra Norte. I couldn't quite capture a good, frontal shot because they were constantly moving and playing. But as you can see by Sally's protruding ribs, these poor girls are significantly lacking sufficient amounts of food. At least they are in a beautiful and natural environment! My wish for them is that they manage to catch a rodent, rabbit or other creature from time to time...

Comments

  1. JeanneMarch 6, 2021 at 7:27 AM

    Thanks for documenting the stray dogs. Oh to give them all a soft bed and food! They would be so appreciative and forever loyal. Interesting about the pure bred snow loving dogs there...probably just for show like you said.

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