While I can't answer these questions, I try to befriend street dogs when possible and forge a friendship in the short amount of time that we share. I want my new friends to know there is someone in the world that love them and will be thinking about them, that they are not alone.
Here are their stories:
 |
| Viña del Mar, Chile, June 2007 |
I saw this beautiful stray on the pavement while walking along the waterfront in Viña, it was Winter and I was uncomfortable walking around with the wind constantly roaring in my ears. I just want to huddle up indoors but there it was, a dog sleeping soundly, outside. I had to fight an overwhelming urge to touch the dog, instead, I took a photo.
From the way the dog slept, I think it was trying to warm itself with its hind leg tucking under its body, I haven't seen this sleeping position before yet he dog was sleeping so peacefully I figured it must feel relatively safe and the unusual position must have been comfortable.
 |
| Viña del Mar, Chile, June 2007 |
Another beautiful stray in Viña. In fact, almost all the strays I saw in the area are so good looking I wonder if they were all former pets which left to roam the streets and fend for themselves when their owners no longer want them.
 |
| Kata Beach, Phuket, Thailand, September 2008 |
This collie looking stray was hanging around the small shopping strip at Kata Beach while I was holidaying in Phuket, it was friendly and looks like the locals are caring for the dog. Again, I wouldn't be surprised if this dog was a former pet as it is too pretty to be from the street. Thailand is the best country to be a stray dog, from my observations, the Thais are the kindest to strays comparing to other Asian countries.
 |
Batty, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, February 2010 |
I nicknamed this friendly boy
Battybecause his mask-like marking on his head. Batty lives at the neighbouring hotel to where I stayed, the Novotel Bora Bora Beach Resort, he seem to have an access all area pass as he often sun himself on a deck chair by the pool, hanging around the resort's beachfront playing with hotel guests, lazing on the steps leading to the resort's restaurant in the evening and barking at other strays outside the main entrance of the resort.
Batty unofficially belonged to Novotel and I think the staff kept an eye out for the sweet natured stray, it was not the case when Batty venture across the territory to my hotel where the staff would shoo him away.
For the 2 days I befriended Batty he escorted me to the restaurant across the road from Novotel, patiently waiting while I dine, never once look at me with his sad doggy eyes like most dogs at dinner table. When encountered other strays, Batty let out warning bark as if to say stay away from my humans, I felt Batty was becoming fond of me and was protecting me.
Batty has some what look like battle scars all over his body, they are not pretty which make me wonder how he really lives, if someone or some dogs picking on him, it made me sad I can't protect him from harm. It also sadden me to know that for a dog that was born and live by the beach, Batty has a fear of the sea - he is happy to chase baby coconuts I throw along the beach but he will not go near the water.
At the end of my holidays, I shred silent tears as French Polynesia slowly disappeared from my air cabin window. I wish so much I could give Batty the love he craves and even better, a home, yet I can only give him my time and a piece of my heart.
I love you Batty and I will never forget you...
Next: Beautiful Strangers - Part II