Running River greets you from South Africa

[Running River]

Good evening everyone, my name is Running River and I greet you from Durban in South Africa. Like most of you I too have set my intention and heart to walk the Camino later this year in the autumn, about September/October BUT having read the book by another pilgrim these past weeks who walked the Camino :

Whilst the pilgrimage was indeed a wonderful experience for her, the one thing that bugs me HUGELY whilst reading her book is the way the Spaniards apparently treat their dogs.
Apparently there are numerous occasions where dogs have been found chained and locked up in little steel cages in the middle of no where!! Some have been heard miles away locked up in sheds with no food, puppies chained so much so that they can barely lift their heads. As a serious animal lover but especially dog lover, I was so shocked that I had nightmares just whilst reading, let alone walking the route. This route is surely supposed to leave a person with beautiful memories ? are any of you aware of same? What does one do - bearing in mind that if I want to do the trip from South Africa inclusive of flights I will be spending a couple of thousand towards the Spanish economy, would doing the pilgrimage not mean that I approve or condone such.

Has anyone else been faced with such a dilemma - I somehow just don't think I will be able to turn a blind eye or deaf ear. Would that mean that the Camino is then not for me or would it mean that through the courageous words of this author the plight should be highlighted.

I greet you in spirit.
Buen Camino and may the waters fill your souls

[Covey]

Every nation has different views as to how to treat animals and what they are for.

In Spain, those who keep dogs in the cities look after them as would most of us, but in the countryside, dogs are mainly working animals and are there to guard the house or farm. You will quite often walk past areas outside towns and villages where people have a plot growing vegetables and they keep a dog there.

Because the dogs are working animals and not pets, the Spanish and many others treat them as such, and when they reach the end of their working life, they are often turned loose. Whilst I would not do such a thing, others might, and you just have to live with it

Having lived in West Africa for many years, they generally do not keep dogs as pets but as working guard dogs. Because of rabies, people in that part of Africa tend to fear dogs, not pet them.

If your worry about how some Spanish treat their dogs might cause you to doubt walking the Way, then I would suggest you stay at home, because you need to empty your mind of clutter and worries and just take one day at a time on the Camino.

[Sil]

Sawubona umfula!
I worked for the Durban and Coast SPCA for many years and saw dogs that had been abused in unspeakable ways.
The Spanish are also a nation of pet lovers and those in the cities take their dogs out for walks in the evenings. The first puppy pram (I'm not kidding!) I ever saw was in Pamplona in 2007 when we saw a Yorkie being pushed about the plaza in a 'Puppy Pram'!
As a vegetarian in Spain I was more disturbed when walking past an abbatoir than I was walking past a house with a dog on a chain. Most looked healthy - if bored - and there was always a kennel and food and water in reach.
In the words of James Michener,

?If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.?

Sil

[Covey]

?If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.?

I could not have put it better, but you are obviously more tactful than like wot I am!!

[Sil]

Ah - I wish I could claim those words of wisdom but James Michener beat me to it in his book IBERIA.
Sil
From Durban

[Running River]

Dear Covey and Sil, like a riverbed holding its water I hold your responses dear to my soul. Thank you. You were both brave and forceful, as rivers should - as it is with the Camino, you two were probably sent my way with a united message. This is a journey I will then not be able to do.

May the waters keep filling your souls, always.
I will de register now.

[Covey]

Do people really talk like that??

I thought I often sound a little odd cos my English sometimes slips in to the vernacular but.......................... it takes all sorts.

Which is one of the more endearing features of the Camino, in that you meet pilgrims from all over the world, and often marvel at their way of coping with the trials and tribulations of the Way.

Last year our little family picked up a Japanese guy who spoke no English, Spanish or any other language we could converse in. He walked and ate with us for three days and spent an afternoon sitting with us at my fav table overlooking the square in front of the Cathedral at Leon, and drinking beer. The next day by dint of sign language, smiles, handshakes etc etc he walked off towards Orbrigo never to be seen again. Nice guy!! We never did get to understand what his name was, but lots of smiles and the odd grunt seemed to indicate to him where we were going and when.

[Sil]

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
Omar Khayyam

[Covey]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm...........

[fraluchi]

I've done the Camino Francés twice and don't recall seeing any maltreatment of animals along the way. Which doesn't mean that all is OK, but it should refrain you from doing the walk.
I live in Costa Rica, where there are more dogs than christians, and compared to here I noticed the absence of stray dogs in Spain.
By the way, you can report maltreatment to the local police and/or animal protection agency, both in Spain AND in Costa Rica, with some surprisingly positive results.
Don't let your Camino be influenced! Ultreya!

[Tanya Yaksich]

My disabled husband has been very trying today. I'm still chuckling over your comments. Thanks.
Only 92 days till my Camino rendez vous, but who's counting?