Streetdogs and Mother Mary

I can't remember if I've talked about the streetdogs before. They're everywhere. They're sad and peaceable (not hostile and vicious like their Thai kin). Apparently people buy whatever breed's currently in fashion (no doubt as puppies), and when they get sick of the dog or have to move house, will just let it go on the street. Or the dogs might be left to wander around the neighbourhood while their owners are at work (this happens less nowadays) and, as a result, get themselves in the family way. So you end up with lots of dogs that aren't exactly mongrels but sort of look like one particular breed, or a bizarre mixture of two or three.

I was puzzled by the dogs' good humour - apparently it's because people slip them food and water, so they're not actually starving afterall. And here's an interesting Chilean thing - people may not take responsibility for their dogs, yet they feel a tender pity for the creatures and if ever a politician were to suggest a humane, large-scale solution, the uproar would pretty much spell an end to his career. The Chilean heart breaks for the underdog, be it an actual dog, a disabled kid, or a women who has suffered great tragedy. The desire to mother runs deep and strong and is viewed as one of the purest, most noble virtues. And yet sometimes this pity seems to be less about actually helping the suffering and more about almost enjoying the melancholy emotion, and having this pity reassure you that, despite it all, you really are a caring soul. There may also be the opportunity to complete your Christian duty by a performing a - quick and concrete - good deed. Perhaps my assessment is a little too hasty and cyncial - time will tell. I'm certainly not saying it because I think Australia's got the wrap on the good virtues...