Monday, August 29, 2011

Roof Dogs - A Dying Breed

 


They've always ben there. Many of them. Up there in the sun and rain and cold of night. Guarding their homes and masters. In the past, in almost every city and village I've traveled to, a roof dog was part of the landscape. What always makes me laugh is when it is a pack of tiny dogs with big barks. The one in this photo is a big dog with a big bark.

Not so much anymore. I wonder. Is it too expensive now to feed them? Is it socially unacceptable to some to keep animals up there? Or do people feel more secure or have alarm systems on their homes?

Whatever the difference is, there are fewer and fewer roof dogs to be seen in San Miguel at least.

When I'm walking down the hill and through town I always like to look up. The roof terraces, the amount of living that goes on on roofs in Mexico is a delight. Different views from on high. It reminds me of the balconies and roof terraces that I grew up with and saw when I visited New Orleans as a young teenager. It seem exotic and interesting to me then. It still does.

Has anyone else noticed fewer roof dogs? Or is it just me?

Posted by Picasa

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Plenty of roof dogs where I live. If you want roof dogs, come visit. No shortage.

Babs said...

NOT looking for roof dogs, but do want to come visit.....some day.

Jonna said...

I always feel bad for the roof dogs but on the other hand most of them are at least given food and water. I don't know whether it is worse to be starving on the streets but free or fed on the roofs but can't leave. It's generally not a good life for a dog here.

Roof dogs here in Yucatan are mainly out in the smaller pueblos and they are mostly on the roofs of businesses. They do get some shelter (or they would die here in the tropics) and some food and water. They have a job which makes dogs happy generally, so perhaps it isn't so bad.

Mike Nickell and Cynthia Johnson said...

That is one BIG dog - it looks like my ol' girl, Sitka. I don't understand the roof dog phenomenon. It's just not right...

Dan in NC said...

Babs, listening to the chorus of the "creatures of the night" I fail to discern a lessening of the nocturnal cacophony that is Mexico. One thing I will agree upon is that I would believe that "roof dog" has migrated to the "garage dog" status.. I have 3 next door to me that are yard/patio mutts, an the next place down the hill has 3 that terrorize their carport. For some reason, all night/day barking has no effect upon the owners.. Further down the street, a tienda has chickens and a stable of fighting cocks (really fresh eggs here!) on the roof. Hey! It is Mexico! Ya gotta luv it!
Dan in NC (SMA)

Calypso said...

There were a lot of roof dogs when last in our parts of Mexico - Currently in Soto La Marina - no roof woofing aqui.

Babs said...

Jonna, I have mixed feelings also, but those dogs are taken care of....I think it's better then hardly ever getting outside and being a prisoner in an apt or something like that!
M&C - A dog in Mexico is a work animal like the donkeys and oxen. To a gringo's eyes its not right because in the USA people treat them like their children.
Dan, glad I'm not staying where you are. I'm blessed to have no barking dogs, AT ALL! But I do see the rooster when walking down Cuesta de San Jose. It's too far from me to hear it at dawn......or whenever.
Calypso, you lucky dog (pardon the pun) you must be back down on the coast......gotta get there one of these days........