The Thai Pirate - Thai Blog and Travel Stories

New (stray) dog

(nasty picture warning) A few days back I heard the dogs causing a racket outside... I went outside to find a street dog had come into the yard and was in the process of trying to escape our hounds. I distracted ours as best I could, whilst lobbing a stick or something at the intruding mutt to make him scarper..... as he ran, I notice he had a very large wound on his side, and immediately felt guilty... He'd gone.

During the night I'd hear him around the streets outside.. Because of his injury, all the other dogs sensed his weakness and would see him away.. I'd hear him whimpering as they chased him ... My heart went out to him, but there was little I could do.

A couple of days later... I was working, and again, I heard the familiar whimpering, this time back in the yard... Jeez this dog was obviously crazy... I knew it wouldn't be long before the hounds had him, so I went and shut them all inside, before going to find this dog and have a good look at him..

He'd actually trapped himself under a large wooden racking at the bottom of the garden where some of the work peeps keep their tools etc. I crouched down and could see him hiding in the darkness.... wow the smell of him was really bad, rotting almost. He was still whimpering, and after I'd seen a close up I understood why..  His wound was a large gaping hole in his side, the skin had disappeared, leaving just ribs and flesh.. I thought he was probably close to death and on his last legs.

Fearing he'd be rabid, I chucked some dog food under the cupboard from distance, and gradually coaxed him out... He seemed innocent enough... after a few minutes I had him completely out from under the cupboard and managed to get my belt around his neck... Despite his predicament, he was a friendly little soul, very young, bright eyed..... because of his wound I had no choice but to help him..

The two of us in the truck, down to the vets... I had the lid of a wicker laundary basket in my left hand as a makeshift 'shield', in case he did decide to go for me whilst driving, but he remained a very keen passenger, albeit a very smelly, bloody one.

Even the vets were a bit aghast by his wounds, and one of the girls named him 'Sammy'.. First they weighed and shaved him, and then as he was held down they pumped a mauve liquid into all of his wounds with a syringe and he yelled the place down.... There were so many holes in him, the injected liquids spouted out of him like a fountain, or some Tom & Jerry cartoon character taking a drink after being filled with bullet holes. Both sides of him were covered in holes and cuts....... the vet told me the gaping wound was proabably caused by someone throwing boiling water over him, gradually became larger and more open over time...(C U Next Tuesday)

They reckon one month for him to heal... I can pick him up and take him 'home' in one week.. I'm now faced with the task of performing some kind of 'dog whisperer' magic act, convincing the other mutts to accept him, as well as convincing him to stay....

The little bugger must have heard I was home.

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.

A garden of Thai dogs

With the rain finally beginning to relent, a bright blue sky and a regular cool breeze, Thailand has finally begun to cool. The rain puddles have dried, and left everything in full bloom. October, November and December are surely the most comfortable months for non-natives of Thailand.

(Pinky and Secret, who kindly stopped rucking for the picture)

In this cooler period its pleasant to get outside on the lawn and have a roll around with the mutts. I reckon they are the luckiest dogs in the whole Kingdom.... they now get regular grub, sleep inside at nighttime and get taken to the vet when ill.

We have lots of Thai's visit who say 'my...... how many dogs do you have'.

(Joe, having a good scratch)

Ten. This is largely because their life expectancy has improved... Before, there would be pups all over, with a high 'turnover' rate .... Whilst being a firm follower of  the 'when in Rome' mentality, this aspect of the household has changed, largely my fault, but I can't have dogs dying around me all the time..... They've all had the snip as well, male and female...., which stops them venturing out, and renegade mutts venturing in.

(Lucky, in ambush position)

All in all, it makes for a happier house I think. Plus, since they've all started living longer, they have grown on the Thai's here more. Although, most of the locals no doubt probably think I'm a crazy farang.

Thailand 'How long will your Dog Survive' survey!

Expats, Thai's and visitors to Thailand, want to know how long your mutt will live for? Take this scientifically accurate survey to predict the lifespan of your mutt whilst living in Thailand the Land of the Land of the Smiles!

Please answer the following questions:

1. Where did you get your dog?
A) He is a pedigree, very expensive
B) A friend of a friend
C) Temple stray
D) The motorway

2. Where do you live
A) In a large mansion house, on a vast expanse of land
B) On a soi with a normal garden
C) In the jungle
D) The motorway

3. Where does your dog remain during the day?
A) He remains in the confines of our modest 15 rai plot
B) I let him wander, but he is inside during the evening
C) Dunno
D) The motorway

4. How often do you feed your dog?
A) 3 times, tom yam gai in the AM, a light lunch, followed by steak dinner in the evening
B) 2 times a day, dog meal in the morning, bowl of meat in the evening
C) Sometimes
D) ?

5. Where does your dog sleep
A) With me, under the covers
B) In the house
C) Dunno
D) The motorway

6.When would you consider taking your dog to the vet?
A) When he looks a little depressed
B) If he stops eating
C) If he stops eating, is bleeding profusely, and I have won some cash on the lotto
D) ?

7. What kind of treats do you give your dog?
A) We dress him often in a fetching pink doggie jacket! He looks fabulous.
B) Chewy bones and new collar
C) Nothing
D) I beat him with a stick

8. If you saw your dog fighting in the street, would you:
A) Call the police and run in all guns blazing, trying to stop them
B) Shout, and try to stop them
C) Watch to see who wins
D) Shoot them both

9. If you saw a dog wandering in the road, would you?
A) Beep my horn, slow down, and take any required evasive action
B) Beep my horn and avoid
C) Do nothing
D) Aim for the dog

Mostly A's: Your dog is lucky, but embarrased to be with you. Death age: Will live forever.

Mostly B's: Normal, your mutt has a fairly good chance of survival. Death age: 4-7

Mostly C's: Your mutt hates you. Death age: 1-2

Mostly D's: Your mutt is road jam already. Death age: 0-1

Couple of links to Thai rescue dog foundations: Soidog (phuket) Care for Dogs (chiang mai) SCAD Bangkok (bangkok)  soi-dog foundation (phuket) volunteer at a dog rescue centre (near phuket) dog aid Thailand (bangkok) dog rescue center (samui) Thai Animal Rescue Centre (sanklaburi) dog rescue center (samui).

Give a Thai dog a home

Lots of Thai's don't have a lot..... Their priorities are (and have to be) different. Wealth in the West has helped us to have a different view of the dog, we treat them as part of the family (in most cases), they are a responsibility, you have to spend time and sometimes money (sometimes lots) on their well being.

Some Thai's are like this too, but overall, Thailand has a different attitude towards the mutt. For one, theirs is an outdoor life, rather than an indoor one, so many dogs come and go, move from house to house, street to street, many without a direct owner, or an owner that doesn't go out of their way to ensure they are safe and not being a pest.

Thousands of dogs roam wild, and mate, increasing their numbers. Many are hit by cars, fight in the road, get hurt, starve, die from disease etc etc.

Life for a mutt in Thailand can be very tough, and very short.

What is a little weird to me is when Thai's (and expat farang) go out of their way to purchase an exotic dog. You get them at markets, Chat-u-Chat being the culprit that springs to mind. Well pruned tiny pooches line some streets, lying in their baskets gasping for air as their Thai touters attempt to make as much money as possible from them. Many must perish. It's pretty awful.

For any dog-loving farang that read this, who are living or planning to live in Thailand, I would recommend you don't go out of your way to purchase one of these dogs, sad as that in itself may be. You are only creating a market for this type of sale. Instead, I would recommend you go to your nearest temple, who are usually inundated with dogs from my experience. Many Thai's who can't cope with or don't want puppies leave them there. Yes they get fed (occasionally) but the monks will thank you for taking one off their hands, free of charge of course (although a donation would be welcome).

My Thai family here used to buy dogs, but now we always go out of our way to get strays, 'Lucky' being our latest addition (pic above and below).

She is a great dog, and one that would have had a much bleaker future had we not picked her up.

There are quite a few Thai dog sanctuary's around, who I'm sure would welcome any takers and be a great source of information for those interested.

Couple of links here: Soidog (phuket) Care for Dogs (chiang mai) SCAD Bangkok (bangkok)  soi-dog foundation (phuket) volunteer at a dog rescue centre (near phuket) dog aid Thailand (bangkok) dog rescue center (samui) Thai Animal Rescue Centre (sanklaburi) dog rescue center (samui).

On a positive note, I believe I am seeing a small shift in attitudes towards dogs, at least, in the part of Thailand where we live. I definitely don't see as many dead dogs in the road as when I first arrived a year ago...... Perhaps a little Western influence maybe having a positive effect here?