Every morning at dawn, six Dogs arrive at the gate of my house with an expectant look in their eyes. They are homeless.
These are the Dogs adopted by construction workers, only to be abandoned later. There was a construction boom in our village here in Rizal, and when the workers came to stay at the site for a year, they adopted Dogs as pets and guards. But after their work ended and they had to depart, they left these Dogs behind.
The Dogs ended up becoming strays. With nowhere to go, they had to fend for themselves, upending trash cans to look for food.
DITCHED DOGS
Last year, a building project began across my house, and our deserted road became inhabited by Dogs. During the recent El Niño summer, our household helper would set out a bucket of water for them. She would then report that the pail was drained at the end of each day.
I thought, “What can construction laborers afford to feed them anyway?” Thus, with a budget of Php 500 a week for five kilos worth of Dog kibble, we laid the first basin of food out in the street one morning.
Within the week, six Dogs came. They waited patiently for the bowls to be brought out. It was probably their only decent meal for the day.
CAPTURING A CREATURE
Ten years ago, a mangy Puppy came to our gate to beg for food. He was young and alone — it was not the way for an innocent creature to start a life. I went to see him. The pup fled.
I messaged a Dog rescue group and asked, “How do you catch a stray Puppy?” The group replied with several options. I chose the least upsetting one: food in an open cage, to be closed once the Pup enters to eat.
BLOOD WORK WOES
We set the trap outside the gate. The Puppy crossed the street immediately and entered the cage to eat. I was hiding nearby. I approached the cage unnoticed and closed the door.
Following the group’s instructions, I drove to a vet clinic. I explained how I picked up a young Dog full of mange. Could they test if the mange was contagious?
The skin test revealed that it was not. It was the result of malnutrition and emotional stress. The Dog, whom I registered as “Whitey”, was prescribed an antibiotic, moisturizing soap, and several vitamins.
That night, the rescue group messaged me. Did I catch the puppy? Yes, I replied. He was now playing with my other Dogs.
How was the blood work? they asked.
Uh, what blood work?
If that Dog had any infectious virus, I had just exposed my other Dogs to him, they warned.
Lucky brought me into the world of homeless strays and what they go through. He made me understand their suffering because he was once one of them.
LUCKY BREAK
The next day, I took Whitey back to the vet for blood tests. Luckily, he only had worms. Thus, Whitey became “Lucky.”
Lucky brought me into the world of homeless strays and what they go through. He made me understand their suffering because he was once one of them. Since then, I’ve rescued community Puppies here and there to give them a better chance at life.
As for the others whom I can’t welcome into my home, I try to at least make their lives more comfortable by feeding them every day. I can’t rescue them all. Although I wish I could.
