Dear Editor,

In August of 2008, animal lover Cherie Gomes (Canadian-based Guyanese) passed by the High Court and saw a female dog with a broken paw. She called and coaxed but the dog ran away on three legs. Feeling sad she made a report to the GSPCA; the inspectors went several times but could not locate the dog. Cherie left Guyana with a heavy heart. She knows first hand what stray animals go through in this country; she rescued two from off the streets and took them to Vancouver where they are now living ‘happily ever after.’

When I returned to Guyana, Cherie called me from Vancouver and told me her story. I went around the next day and spoke with many persons including High Court employees and guards; yes, many had seen the dog. I left them my telephone number and that of the GSPCA. While at the High Court, I was surprised at the number of strays in the compound, close to 15. I asked the guards why there were so many dogs, and they pointed to a beautiful female in heat and then towards several sick animals that call the High Court their home. I then asked the Administrator for the High Court, a very nice man, if he wanted some help with the strays. Mr Kaladin said things had reached the point where the dogs were rushing at people, messing in the judges’ areas and on the grounds, and, occasionally, even stopping court with their barking and fighting. Another person said the GSPCA was willing to pick up the dogs but only after someone at the High Court had caught them. The Administrator said they were at a loss as to what to do next, and would be happy to receive some assistance.

The female in heat had a terrible chop on her side, was very stressed out, hungry and full of ticks, but she turned out to be the sweetest dog I have ever met. I asked some of the staff if they needed her, and one said, “Tek she, tek she; she like sex too much and give too many babies.” I could not believe what I was hearing, and made the decision to do whatever possible to save her.

I then asked the Administrator if the female dog could stay on the grounds if we removed the others. Consent was given. I named the dog ‘Lulu’ and  promised her I would have her spayed (a vet volunteered his time), treat her for the ticks and fleas that covered her body, bathe her twice a month, have her wormed and vaccinated, and ensure she had food and fresh water for the rest of her time on this earth.

She looked at me with a sparkle in her eyes and I knew she understood and was agreeing to my offer. Lulu turned out to be a faithful, loyal and dependable servant of the High Court grounds. The guards like to talk about how she sniffs out the bad guys and alerts them any time of the night.

Catching and removing the strays from the High Court compound was not as easy as helping Lulu, but it was achieved over an eight-month period. With some help from a GSPCA Inspector and Animal Rescue Volunteer, Natasha, we caught 27 homeless dogs and delivered them to the GSPCA.

After many attempts to catch the dog with the broken paw, nothing worked; she outsmarted us all, demonstrating the will to live. Last Friday, Volunteer Natasha and I went to the High Court after 5pm and could not believe our eyes; the dog with the broken paw was playing on the lawns with Lulu.  I think there is no better teacher of compassion than watching animals enjoying themselves.

Many lessons were learned from the experience of ridding the High Court compound of stray dogs. One of the more important ones is in regard to how people’s attitudes can change when they are involved in an activity. Employees, guards and others volunteered their opinions and asked questions, from how to give up or adopt an animal, to what is good for fleas and ticks; from why to spay to what is good for mange, or why it is important to leave fresh water at all times.

People learn from examples, and the case of Lulu is a good example of what dogs can give to people: loyalty, love, happiness and a sense of security.

Yours faithfully,
Syeada Manbodh