BASTORA TAILS

December 15, 2022

BASTORA TAILS

Howra, centrestage, with Blacky crossing and Cataract and The Hound right behind. Mr. White is missing in action.

We have now successfully completed fifty days at G5 and there's lots to tell you about our new abode, especially the village life.

Today, I would like to introduce you to my doggy friends. The previous owner of our flat and her neighbour used to feed and care for stray dogs. They are not appreciated for their fondness to these animals as others find them a nuisance especially when guests come to visit. The stray dogs sleep inside the building premises and, as are the nature of dogs, they protect their territory. This deters people from entering the wing we are in, causing inconvenience of sorts for the other inhabitants.

Howra and Cataract sleeping in the entryway.

When we came, I made an effort to keep the stray dogs away from my area by not feeding them in the compound. I also made sure our gate was closed so they would not mix around with my pet Ebony.

As days passed, however, we found it difficult to take Ebony out for her walks as this was a gang of five dogs and United They Stood. In fact, one night, when we took Ebony out, one of the dogs came so close to her that he almost nipped her and she whimpered. After that, she refused to exit and Aaron had to carry her out like a groom carries his bride over the threshold. (Oh, how I wish I had been there to take his picture!).

Three weeks later, I took over and decided to carry a nice fat stick with me. Like a Ninja warrior, I wielded that stick at the gang. To my surprise and relief, they did not come to attack. With much confidence, I started taking Ebony for walks. The funny thing was these critters started following us but with caution. Ebony would bare her fangs at them if they were alone but if she encountered them as a group, she shyed away. So I had to keep her on a short leash all the time.

In the intervening period, I also started feeding them leftovers. Of course, I would cross the road and feed them on the other side to avoid any food remaining close to the gate. My neighbour would feed them close to the gate but I felt that would not be good.

We started getting used to them, and gradually we accepted them as part of the scenario. We discussed what to call them, Dan and myself. The first one to be named was a brown and white hogger who seemed to be always hungry. We christened him Howra (glutton). Another one was extra tall and looked like a hound so we called him The Hound. A third had some defect in his cornea, so we called him Cataract. The fourth was white so naturally Mr White was the obvious choice. The last one had almost bitten Ebony and we took time to name him. Eventually we got fed up trying to figure it out and just called him Blacky. I wanted to call him Pirate because of what he did to my girl but I let it go.

When we go for our evening walks, they follow us. It is so embarrassing to see five strays behind us like a 'baraat' going to the bride's house. Today, I completely forgot about them in my hurry to reach for Mass in time. Imagine my surprise when Mr White suddenly appeared ahead of me and Howra behind. I had to smile! Cataract was following but far behind.

The other day, they followed us till we reached the fields in front of the Bastora church. Then all five of them started playing in the field and took their places in different patches like as if to say 'This Is My Throne'. When we turned the corner to go up to the church, they climbed out and started following us again. They went to an adjacent field to fight with some other dogs there. We stopped to watch what would happen. Dan now calls them The Bastora Gang.

I do intend doing a photo shoot of them soon and will insert their pictures here. All have been vaccinated annually by Animal Rescue, Assagao under the Mission Rabies venture.

To know more about WVS, you can check out the link below: