Portugese Dogs

22nd February,

A gorgeous day. I am gong to try and cycle to Fuseta today. Can't be beaten by my husband, and as he says. "You've got all day. Just take it slowly."

A wonderful bike ride across the salt pans which are full of all sorts of birds that I don't recognise. Even using my new Monocular I can't distinguish them, other than the Hoopoe which looks like he has an elongated trilby on his head and makes the most wonderful noise whilst ducking his head forward. He is also very beautiful.

The ride was uneventful other than I found a gear on my bike that I had never used before! Ah, now I get it.

During the ride I think about the beautiful large,white dog which is chained up on the drive of the house 24/7 at the end of the road. It has a filthy, tiny kennel which it wouldn't be able to get into, so no shade and as far as I can see no permanent water offered. It is never let off the chain and simply left there to bark and growl at anyone that goes past. It is heart breaking. I have already phoned one of the Portugese animal charities and they have explained that is how it is in Portugal and provided he has at least 1.5 m of chain, shade and water it is not illegal. Hmm.

The owners are Portugese and I start asking around. Anyone that speaks English is stopped and asked if they know the owners and what do they think about the way they keep the dog. Most are upset that it is never walked or has any love, but what can they do. So, I write a letter.

Dear Dog Owners,

I am an English tourist staying in Pinheiro for a couple of weeks. I have noticed that you have a beautiful, large, white dog which is chained up in the driveway outside your house. He barks when I go past and gets up slowly on his hind legs to check that I am not about to enter the property.

In England a dog is regarded as “A man’s best friend”.  Dogs are part of a family and live with the family. They are loved and treated with respect and kindness. In return, the dog offers loyalty and love to us humans.

 I know the Portugese way of life is to have a guard dog, but we too use our dogs to guard our houses, and expect them to bark when a guest or intruder arrives, and that is all fine by us. But we are still able to offer them comfort, love and the kindness that an animal needs to survive.
If a dog is not exercised and given mental stimulation and love, then it will become very depressed and eventually die. To chain a dog up on a hot, stone drive, with a small kennel (that is too small for the dog) and no permanent water supply is not fair to the dog. I know you think he is fine, but he is not.

As you know there are numerous dogs in Pinheiro and one or other of them are always barking through the day and night, but none, other than yours, is chained up day and night and all have exercise. I know that some of these residents are concerned about your dog.

So, I am writing to urge you to reconsider the way you are treating him. He would make such a beautiful pet to you if only you would allow him to. He can guard your house when you are away if he has shade and water, but he must have some comfort at night and be able to walk around freely.

He has a heart and he has feelings, and I cannot believe that you don’t have them too.

Yours faithfully,

Mandy

Of course, they wouldn't understand this, so I would need to get it translated. So I ask around but no one is competent in both languages, so eventually I resort to the internet and make contact with a translator in London. A lady called Debbie who is moved my the letter and gives me a £5 discount!

Hopefully she can do it before we have to move from here. We shall see.