Luna

For a few days now, in the village where I live, I’ve become familiar with a dog I’ve named “Luna.” All the other dogs came and went, but Luna stayed. As I write this, she’s nearby. Wherever I go in the village, Luna follows me.

At first, I sent some photos of Luna to a friend abroad who takes care of pregnant dogs. They confirmed that she is pregnant. She seemed sick at first as if no one had ever touched her before. Today, wearing gloves, I examined her body carefully, following what I’d read about English pointers. She isn’t sick, but she has some scars, probably from a fight.

She treats me as if she recognizes her owner. A few days ago, I told one of the villagers that this dog is pregnant and needs care. He said, “Her owner takes care of her.” Until today, I thought she had one. But I kept wondering, if she’s always with me, then where is her owner? Where is her home?

Just tonight, a few hours ago, I met another villager and asked, “Where does this dog live?” The story was sad and since then, I can’t stop thinking about her. He said that someone from the village brought this dog here, but then left and abandoned her. Since then, she’s been going from house to house asking for food. She once had a home and a life, and now she’s been left alone, right when she’s pregnant and needs care the most.

I think this dog is waiting, you can see it in her behavior. She follows me, but often looks back as if she’s searching for someone. I’ve known many dogs, and I understand some of their looks and behaviors. This one is very loyal. I’ve seen her wander far, but she always comes back to this village. She’s simple, kind, and sad, as if she’s been hurt by humans. It’s hard to describe, but it feels like she’s unsure whether to trust someone again.

Yet the world is made in such a way that she still depends on humans. Her food must come from people. She’s a hunting breed, once trained for companionship and work, but now left in the wild. When I examined and gently massaged her with gloves, I discovered her wounds, and tonight I realized it’s her broken heart that makes her eyes so sad. Truly, humans live cruelly with animals.

Puppies: Day 2

Yesterday afternoon, the second day after the puppies were born, when I got home, a light rain was falling. Luna came after me, breathing fast and anxiously, and led me to a place she had built herself to give birth and care for her pups. Earlier, professionals had told me I shouldn’t move them; and in my own reading, I’d learned that she had chosen this spot instinctively, as a safe place. Yet, of course, she couldn’t foresee the rain and the forces of nature.

When we arrived, she looked at me; her eyes seemed to say, “Now you see why I wanted you to come?” The ground was damp, and the puppies were slightly wet. It was as if she wanted to tell me, “That roof you built for me over there, come build it here.” So I spent a while building a small shelter to protect them from the rain. Supplies were scarce, the muddy ground, the rain, the thick plants and branches all made the work difficult, but I did everything I could.

When the roof finally stood in place, it was as if her worry melted away. Her behavior changed all at once; she calmed down, lay down, and began to nurse her pups. I take joy in this quiet companionship, yet there’s a hidden sorrow within me: that a stray, lonely, abandoned dog has now brought six more beings like herself into the world, and the cycle continues. Perhaps something could be done? But who am I to decide for her, or for nature itself? Maybe one must simply let nature follow its own course.

Now she has a roof, though a fragile one; food, though not much; and affection, brief, but sincere. This is the furthest I allow myself to interfere with the work of nature. Heavier rains are coming, and I don’t know what fate has in store. For now, though, she seems happy, she eats, she nurses, her intelligence amazes me. Her only troubles are rain and food. I don’t know what will happen when I’m gone; perhaps I should just let nature find its own way...