From Janel, in Sri Lanka:That is Runty’s sister I found in the gutter, looking for her after she disappeared. She was lying down in it, barely breathing when I came upon her, maggots already filling her mouth. I was horrified, especially that two young men were washing their car just some 20 feet away, paying no attention to the poor creature’s suffering. I left to retrieve a box to carry her home in, and upon returning with Janel to video it, she was up against the wall, those assholes apparently having thrown a bucket of water on her. They would not help her, nor let her die in peace. Anything to be cruel. Then the laughed at us as we cared for her, as though we were stupid idiots. That was Jan 4th, 2010, I remember, because it was the day we had tickets for departure from this evil island, but were instead stuck here without our money. It would prove but a snapshot of the horrors to come.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/NOT-Without-Our-DOGS/105377479524255?sk=wall
What if you were offered a chance to run with what is left of your life from a country where you've been cheated and abused beyond any measure you thought humanly possibly...but had to leave you dogs behind?
I am continuing to talk with these real life people, who are being as brave and kind as possible without much real hope, unless we can reach someone with the ear of the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka. They live in a country town called Kurengala, and they have learned the dark side of living in a community where everyone's told to distrust and hate you and fear the people who are your enemies. While they hang on with what is left of their human spirit intact (see my previous posts), they have attempted to have mercy on some animals in a place where poverty reigns, authority is almost all for sale, and no general public awareness of goodness to our four legged friends exist. It's not easy for you to read, and it may not even be possible for you to believe. You can only look into your heart, really; they are not, however, the only ones who share such misfortunes in the world. But if you've never been to a third world country, you really take for granted the virtual army of concerned citizens that can be raised for issues elsewhere.
Sri Lanka is a nation that has seen some proud, idealistic days--- even in the 1980's, before the civil wars, what is becoming just a generation ago. I've admired an architect there for peace who sadly died after brokering a treaty that lasted the better part of a decade, between Sinhalese and Tamil people. I've met a handful of people inspired by those times and the age-old attraction to doing what's right. For their sake---for their tireless dedication---and for the sake of the weak, I speak. What we learn from this may well decide the direction of ourselves as a people as well.
Let my friend Janel tell you in her own words about the struggle of those without a voice at all: the animals.
I will write as you asked about our dogs and how they are treated here. I could go on for days about that subject, as everyday we are faced with the inhumane way they are living here. Starvation, diseases, abuse from kids and adults alike who think it funny to throw rocks at them or hit them with sticks. That should give you an idea why we would NEVER leave our dogs, who are like our children here. (You should get a hold of the movie called "Hachiko", true story about a faithful dog who waited for 10 years at the train station he would meet his master at every day, until one day that man died at work and never came back. That dog died, waiting at that same spot for him to return.)
That is how our Roise and Runty are. They wont eat until I get home from work, and wait all day and then wont leave my side once home, except for when Rosie hides away in the bathroom from noises. Her comfort spot, that bathroom, and it makes us both so sad. Anyway, will write about it soon, and send some pictures. On FB, I put up a sight called "Not without our Dogs" and there you can see many pictures of the lives they live here, the SL dogs I mean, as we helped three who died, which is how we have Runty.
That movie Hachiko was actually a true story that took place in China and there is a statue of that dog standing today at that train station. Well in short, that is my Rosie and Runty. You have been shown the pictures of how dogs are treated here and it does not to begin to describe the real horrors you see everyday. But even though there are a FEW people here, like Johann and his family and some of his mothers friends, who treat dogs well, Rosie especially would never , NEVER stop looking for me. Runty would always be looking for us both! THEY would suffer so incredibly much that the thought is too much for my mind to take. People apart from Johann's type, have dogs here that they keep in small cages, and let out at night to bark for strangers. They know NO love, or the cozy bed as ours do, or touches of love and affection. Our dogs ARE our children to us, and we could NEVER leave them with someone else, even if they were to treat them well, which does not seem possible here.
They are the reason we would not take the repat loan, and one of the main reasons we still fight here. We cannot leave them and if we are deported, we lose them and all we own. We dont know what would happen to them. Many people may not agree with how we feel about dogs, but I know there are many that do. They are the most faithful, pure, loving creatures I know, and so how, could we ever leave them? Especially in a country where they would surely die of starvation and disease, and our two would die of heartbreak. It is already one of my great losses in our time here, that Rosie has been a prisoner in that yard, and her safe haven, the bathroom, instead of going on walks, and running like the wind and playing in the water as she loves to do so much. We cannot risk letting her out for a minute due to all the street dogs that carry airborne diseases.
Our Runty has a better life than she has ever known, coming from the streets of SL, but we want for her too, to be able to run free and know a better life. We will die before we leave them or give them away. They would suffer without us! And no one here would even take Runty, and they all want Rosie for show, cause she is not a street dog and beautiful. Well so is Runty, but they both stand NO chance of having a home like we offer them.
Thanks, Janel.
I think having something else to care for has made a huge difference in the sanity of my friends here, and all I ask is that you carry awareness. I'll be taking my first complete version of this multi-faceted story to its first media outlets besides here, soon. When you see the complete version, if you want to help spread awareness, feel free to share my blog link and pass it to any capable, competent people you know, because I can't see the face of exactly who will make a difference, but if that person is out there, we can't stop.
All the best. Happy Holidays, y'all.
Be Chill Cease ill
U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka:
Phone
94-11-2498500
Website
http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/
http://maldives.usvpp.gov/
http://www.youtube.com/user/USEmbassySri... Is what I've got up on my interview page.
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