Every trip to the store becomes an
adventure, when stopping to feed and water dogs along the way. That’s what it’s
like to be an animal lover in Puerto Rico.
A female pit bull, looking stunned
stands alone in the parking lot where I found Lefty a few months ago, I mean
Sandy, as his forever mom in Boston calls him. She’s a big beautiful grey and white with massive
head. I swing into the parking lot, whistle for her, but she doesn’t budge. She
has that just dropped off look about her. As she recovers a little food and
water will help calm her down, so I open the kit with the kibble and water
bowls.
Hi,
Sweetheart, I know you’re scared, who could dump a babe like you. I prattle while pouring water in my last
remaining Styrofoam bowl, a small pile of kibble on the ground next to it and I
leave before she moves from the spot where she’s frozen from fear. She munches
on the kibble after I pull out of the parking lot. Good, food and water helps
a newly discarded dog calm down. Being abandoned can't be easy to face.
Just a bit down the road a dog I
fed before chases my car. Oh, rats, I didn't see him, so I pull over. He
catches up with wagging tail. Only some kibble for you today, pal. I look
around for a cup or something to pour water in for him, but see nothing. I have
to remember to refill my kit.
Later, a gaunt white and black
spaniel mix comes up to my car while I wait for my friend in a parking lot. He
chows down. The boy lives in the neighborhood, so he’s an experienced perro de
calle or street dog. I find a cup, he’s thirsty. The dogs need water as much or
more than they need the food, so it's time to buy some plastic bowls.
The trick for me is to help the dogs
without getting emotional. Just do what I can and move on without worrying what
will happen to them next, do what I can. It’s NOT enough, but it's something.
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