LOS Dogs - You?

[bootoo33]

Ever see the dog near Soi 6? Yep, looks exactly like the dog at Soi 31. Not to mention, the same K-9 in various street venues in Pattaya and Phuket! Yep, see that dog, usually flopped down on the sidewalk with people stepping over “him”, lazying the day away. Not really sure what breed he is - looks kinda like a mix, always well fed, older and wandering around like part of the organizational flummox known as Thailand. Has to be the same dog!

 

I always wondered, how did that animal get here? Is he following me around? Is it the same dog? Has to be! He does not look vicious, in fact, never has “that” dog even raised an eyebrow to me let alone any other passer-by. Maybe he belongs to someone? But, even when I stop for short periods to investigate these life puzzles, I find little information yielding the origin of this creature. At one point, I found myself encouraging the beast to run away - trying to get a rise out of him. Maybe I could see the beginnings of his busy day? I dunno maybe he belongs to that person, or that one? I will ponder this another time, on to the bar!

 

Down the walk I see the typical street urchin poised at his stand almost encompassing the entire 11 foot sidewalk. Of course, everyone is in the queue waiting their turn to pass. Seeing my opportunity I leap forward, only to be shorted out of the gap by an older and slower national from parts unknown. Parsing my lips between my teeth I post my head down and wait my turn – again. All the while, thinking about “that” dog! Wait a minute, there he is again! I swear this animal is following me to every spot I travel…on to the bar!

 

Don’t they have some sort of control for this type of thing? Capture and cage this animal – it is for his own good! Well, I guess it would be for his own good…wouldn’t it? Slowly he seems to be wandering around the street looking for a meal. This should be managed by somebody. Even BKK should have some standards! Never mind, on to the bar!

 

I found myself approaching my favorite stage venue and cannot stop thinking about that creature! Why, I ask myself, do I care so much from that animal? I do care – don’t I? Is it really so bad what he does, all day to lying around and sleeping, doing nothing until summoned? Paying into some custom that fosters the perpetuation of his laziness? I never even heard him bark – ever! In all the communities this beast follows me to; I could swear I have never heard him utter a bark. In fact, he almost looks like he is smiling! Well, forget this – on to the bar!

 

I make it to my final stop still too early to go inside. I guess I will get some Tom Yum and hang out and wait. Found a spot sitting on the curb. I take in the sights of the crowds wandering through a maze of new vendors setting up for the night. Some slowly figuring out the “listed” price is always negotiable in Thailand. It is always amazing to see new faces light up when they secure that “deal”. As I start to get up guess who is sitting right next to me!?! We stare at each other trying to figure out what each is about – where are you from, where are you going, and do you need a friend? Maybe? Or, just a scrap to tide over until the next meal?

 

My examination reveals a pretty healthy looking animal living on the streets of the city seemingly owned by nobody in particular. Your face is not scared in life, you do not even look anxious about your next moment – just relaxed. People do not seem to bother you. They step over, around and stare for a bit, but I do notice there is not a lot of petting. Maybe he has something on him you do not want to get. Who knows? Time to bid farewell to my new acquaintance and get this old dog into the bar!