Dogs

Poor little pooches. Until they snarl at me and snap at my heels, then they are stupid creatures who will get a solid kick if they bite. Oops. That's naughty. I haven't kicked any dogs, don't intend to, but have to hold onto that thought to get me through the fear of walking past them after nightfall. Dogs here are guard dogs - they will bark at anyone and anything walking past afer dark and really go for you - they are inclined to bite as well.

Dogs roam freely, but they all belong to humans. If you run one over (highly likely, given their penchant for chasing cars and sleeping on the road) you have to find the 'owner' and pay for it. Dogs aren't desexed here either - so they just keep on breeding! There is a vet who flies in for a couple of days at set times, but it's not something people want to do to the dogs.... so driving along is alway humourous watching the dogs stuck together after fits of passion......

Dogs are treated pretty badly here. They are mangy, flea ridden and skinny skinny skinny. The dogs that belong to ex-pats are an exception. But you have to be careful- fatten a dog up too much and it will make it to the BBQ. Pohnpeians eat dog, and January is the worst (or best) time of the year for it. People struggle financially after Christmas and need to eat, so bye bye Fido.

There are three dogs that belong to the family living below us - Back, Brownie and Blackie. There are all in good physical shape. Back and Brownie are gorgeous dogs (unless they don't know you - that's another story). Blackie is a psychpoath who I am convinced is the spawn of Satan.