A harsh reality in rural Thailand

Awoke the other morning to find my little pal Pinky's lifeless body on the terrace outside. Snake bite. I didn't have to check for a heartbeat, her body was stiff and her eyes were dull. I was, and am, gutted.

For the last 3 months we have kept the dogs in an outdoor kennel. It's pretty big, easily big enough for them to sleep comfortably, but these Thai dogs not being used to confinement, do everything they can to escape. Little Pinky was probably the best escape artist among them.

I took to burying her immediately, partly because I didn't want the others to see her, and partly because I was looking to close the issue as quickly as possible.

Instead of shovels or spades, the Thai's instead use a long pick, to break through the soil and lift it out. Once you get used to them, they are effective, and equally usable by both men and women being that they are a more 'foot friendly' alternative to the shovel, which generally requires boots, and not sandals. I buried her behind an old shrine of one of Sutiya's relatives in the garden, and in the muggy humidity of the morning I worked up quite a sweat; the inside of my thumbs became red raw as I chopped away at the earth, illustrating to me just how hard the hands are of the Thai's I work with, I swear some of them can crack nuts with their fingers.

So a very sad day for me. Apart from myself and Sutiya, no one in my Thai family spoke of it, even though everyone was very fond of Pinky.

As a dog lover, losing them has been one of the hardest things to deal with during my stay. Of course I've lost dogs back in the UK before, but always because they are too old, or ill, which makes it more acceptable. Pinky was only three.... and we've lost three dogs now in under six months, all to snakes. The house I am staying in has no real boundaries, is used for work as well as living, so is open, and has a lot of natural water, plants, and treescape, so it's the perfect environment for snakes. During the wet season you are probably only a few feet away from a snake at anytime, although if exposed they quickly make for the hills. The dogs are at a natural disadvantage in that their innate curiosity gets the better of them, and should they come across the wrong one, it's curtains.

So another day, another dead dog. I am slowly hardening to this fact of rural Thai life, although I still fear greatly for the others left in the pack. I have barricaded the kennel so much that Charles Bronson would have a hard time getting free.

(pic: how Thai's use normal shovels) So farewell my little Pinky, you were a lovely little mutt, and will be sorely missed. In a strange way you have done your job well, as your death is a constant reminder to me that while I am here I shall have to keep a constant watch on Aiden when he is tottering around, so thank you my lovely. 

If you've read this post, please don't feel obliged to post messages of sympathy, the post is just to show how some elements of living in rural Thailand are difficult for us Western folk to swallow, but are very much just another part of the rich tapestry here.. In Thailand, life generally is more unfiltered than back home.

Comments

[Boonsong]

I love animals too so I find this post very sad.

I have a friend in Bangkok whose cat met a similar fate. He's a cat lover but has stopped keeping them due to so many upsets.

You have my sympathy of course, Boonsong

[Ben Shingleton]

I'm the same Boonsong, can't deal with having anymore mutts, as I want to keep these ones as healthy as possible. Thanks for the comment.

[Paul Garrigan]

I sympathise with your pain. I remember a few years back one of the local kid-racers was speeding through our village on his motorbike and he ran over our new pup; the only one of litter that we had kept. The poor little thing died in my arms; I felt terrible for days afterwards and so did my wife.

[Ben Shingleton]

Sorry to read about that Paul, that's awful. You just have to take it on the chin and bear it don't you. I hope the racer learned his lesson. Thanks for the comment.

[Paul Garrigan]

Thanks Ben, I doubt he did. The same guy had hit a young child (luckily nobody was injured badly ) a few months before hitting our dog. We now longer live in that part of Thailand, but I would imagine that he is still speeding around the place. Likely blaming other people's bad karma for why they ended up at the wrong end of his motorbike.

[Ben Shingleton]

The reckless drivers of Thailand make me mad.. I reckon his type always come unstuck at some point though, and as you suggest, I just hope some other poor sod doesn't get caught up in it.

[Paul Garrigan]

By the way Ben our stories are quite similar. I was a drunken Irish bum who found the sober life in Thailand. At one stage in my twenties I was even on the streets of London. It is good to know that I'm not the only one who benefited from Thailand in this way.

[Ben Shingleton]

Indeed it is good to know Paul, I caught a glimpse of your site and will be checking regularly. Thanks for getting in touch, and the best of luck to you and yours :)

[Mike]

Can something be done to reduce the likelihood of a snake coming near Aidens play area? Perhaps removing the vegetation/trees near the area. I would think a snake might not come out in to the open as readily.

I am an Irish American that saw his family were drinkers and decided not to start. I was lucky not to be part of drinking culture..Pubs etc..
Mike

[Mike]

Ben sorry for your loss.

Sadly its a fact of life here because as you point out you are never very far from a snake.

I think soi dogs generally know when to leave snakes alone.

I would love a dog myself(Thai Ridgeback) but worry their hunting instincts would lead to problems.

[Ben Shingleton]

Hello Mike, you're right and that's pretty much exactly what I intend to do; I plan on cutting back a section so that it is free of veg / trees etc. much easier to keep an eye on everything.

Re: drinking - I still enjoy the odd cold beer here in Thailand, just not to the extent I did back in the UK (which leaves a fair amount of room ;D

[Talen]

Ben, so sorry for your loss...pets are always the worst to lose as they are always there for you through thick and thin without hesitation.

Be nice if there were some sort of snake repellent but in the country it's always nice to have a machete around .

[Ben Shingleton]

Thanks Talen, she was a lovely dog. It would be great if there was some kind of effective snake repellent on the market but its just impossible. My brother in law is a crack shot with an airgun, he reckons its the best way to 'take them out' lol.

[Martyn]

Ben your loss is a terrible one but you've got to do as you're doing and take it on the chin.

I fear similar may happen to one of Wi's four dogs and I know if it did she would take it very badly. I haven't really seen any snakes in our garden and hopefully they are not about.

Rest in peace Pinky.

[Peter M]

This is something I have thought about a lot when considering my inevitable move to rural, or at least semi-rural Thailand in the future. A dog, or dogs, would be high on my wish list, primarily for companionship and because I love dogs, though also for an element of protection. Life expectancy of dogs/cats does seem much lower in rural Thailand with snakes a big danger. I guess a harder heart is needed (not easy) and a Buddhist type acceptance that such is the way of life in Thailand. I know you did not want expressions of sympathy so I will not offer any, save to say I know the pain of losing beloved canine and feline companions.

[Ben Shingleton]

Hi Martyn, the conditions here are pretty perfect for snakes being that they have so many places to hide. Only rarely they get exposed and its at these times they are a danger to the dogs. Hopefully if you've not had a problem in the past at Wii's place I doubt there's reason to unduly worry. Thanks for the comment.

Peter M - exactly as you say, but if you prepare and start off in the right way I think it can be fine or at least better. When I arrived 2 years ago there were dogs allover the place here (they were breeding as quickly as they were dying), with no regular clean water / shelter at night / vet visits when ill etc, and now they get looked after, it's amazing, they live longer! The trouble is there were just too many, so over time the numbers have reduced, and as I've had them all snipped we're not expecting any new litters. We've got 5 at the house now, which is just easier to manage... Like I say if you get started in the right way there is no reason why you shouldn't keep dogs alive and well in rural /semi rural Thailand (although unfortunately, sometimes a hard heart is required, in my experience) Thanks for your input.

[Tom Yam]

That's a really sad story. We get so close to our animals sometimes and it's heartbreaking when we lose them. I think it's just an english trait. We have a cat and when he doesn't come home at the end of the day i just can't settle until i know that he's safe.
so, as an animal lover, my thoughts are with you at this time......Tom...

[Ben Shingleton]

Hello Tom, I'm the same, when they were outdoors roaming I couldn't settle, so I started to lock them all in the office (not a popular move), later on the outdoor kennel. Definitely an English thing going on I think, most thai's just don't get it, and many think I'm completely balmy haha! Thanks for the comment, it is very sad but all we can do is take it on the chin and move on ;)

[Tom Yam]

Hi Ben,
I've enjoyed reading through your content over the weekend and i've added you to my blogroll. I very much look forward to reading your posts in the future.
Tom.........

[Ben Shingleton]

Tom, likewise I've added your link to the TP BR. Thanks for getting in touch. B

[Catherine]

Hi Ben. I am so very sorry to hear about your little dog. Dogs and cats are family, so the hurt does linger.

I lost a cat shortly after my arrival to Bangkok and it wasn't easy. But you've gone through three now. So sad.

[Ben Shingleton]

Thanks Cat she was a little sweetheart. Onwards and upwards as they say she is fondly remembered!

[Asia News Girl]

I'm asian, and I'm in a western country right now. I feel sad for your loss. Yes, I lived in a rural asian location before