A Man's Best Friend

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart."
-Unknown

Perhaps the most glaring difference between the U.S. and Uganda are the attitudes towards and the treatment of animals, in particular household pets such as dogs.

In the U.S., dogs are like additional members of the family. They are our protectors, our friends. They provide us with unconditional love, companionship, and loyalty. In return, we feed them, play with them, treat them, and provide them with a place to sleep each night.

In Uganda, dogs are often neglected, feared, starved, and frequently sick. In the village, it is not uncommon to come across a dog fearful of any human contact because it was previously abused by its owner. It is not uncommon to come across a dog scavenging for food in a garbage pit because its owner can't afford/doesn't bother feeding it. It is not uncommon to come across a dog lying visibly sick, untreated, on the side of the road. It is not uncommon to come across children throwing stones or rocks at a sleeping dog, as if it was a leisure or recreational activity.

Having owned a dog in Uganda for almost a year now, and being a self-proclaimed dog lover, I was not initially prepared for just how much dogs, as well as cats, cows, and other animals, are regularly mistreated. I've been disgusted and downright horrified by some of what I've witnessed firsthand.

Yes, I am living in another culture, a culture similar in many respects but more so different from my own, a culture with vastly different attitudes and beliefs on how animals should rightfully (or not) be treated. It doesn't mean, and nor will, I accept them.

At times, it has been great owning a dog here. Many primary and secondary school children play with, greet, and pet Fugoso everyday on their walk home from school. He provides constant protection from thieves for which everybody at the Mission can feel safe at night. For all the positive experiences, however, there have been equally as many negative experiences. For example, how do you rationalize and clearly explain to a person who asks you "How can you feed a dog milk every morning and evening when people are starving in the village?" My answer? People can work to provide for themselves. Dogs can't.

Unfortunately, due to a variety of reasons, it is not feasibly possible for me to bring Fugoso back to the U.S. I am legitimately concerned about what will happen to him once I leave, but I believe that I have modeled good enough "dog-parenting" skills for Silver, Flo, Emma, Junior, and everybody else at the Mission to continue taking care of and looking after him long after I'm gone.

A Man's Best Friend for life.