Entry # 1 – Reverence for a Puppy
As I was leaving my flat Saturday afternoon en route to visit some Cairo friends, I was surprised to see my friend and neighbour Joanne outside my building talking to my bowab’s children. I learned that she had just rescued a puppy from being beaten by a few boys up the street. Joanne was very concerned about this young pup, and I could see that she had brought it food from her home. Within a matter of minutes she flagged down two young women off the street to act as translators between her and Imaan, my bowab’s wife. Joanne explained that if Imaan’s kids were willing to take care of the puppy and protect it, she’d buy its food and pay for any other expenses. Imaan quickly shook her head to say no – her hands are full enough with her own four kids. Joanne understood and asked 9-year old Badr to do his best to protect the puppy at least for the afternoon and to shoo away any boys intent on hurting or menacing her. Once the arrangements had been made, we all sat outside and played with the cute little puppy. A few more of the neighbourhood kids joined in and the puppy seemed to relish in all of the attention. She bounced up and down pawing at each of us then busied herself tearing apart some tissue found on the ground. I had a camera with me so I took a few pics. It was a great moment and one of many with the kids that required no spoken language. We all laughed and giggled at the puppy’s silliness. Eventually, Joanne and I both had to rush off, so after a short while we waved goodbye to the puppy and the kids.
JoAnn and Badr watching Puppy at play
When I returned home Saturday night the puppy was gone but when I left for work Sunday morning she was once again bouncing around outside my building. I was tempted to stop and play with her but couldn’t risk missing the bus to work. Once all of my colleagues were on the bus I made an announcement about the puppy, asking if anyone was interested in either adopting her or helping to find her a home. A few people had suggestions and one guy seemed quite interested in her, so I pulled out my digital camera to show him the pics I had taken. I was feeling optimistic that together we could find this pup a home.
Neighbourhood kids who joined in the fun
I arrived home from work shortly after 6pm on Sunday and Michael, Joanne’s husband, called to let me know that Joanne, Badr and another little boy (brace yourself!) had just buried the pup outside. Apparently, the boys found her dead on the street and were waiting for either me or Joanne to come home from work to let us know what had happened. Michael said Joanne was crushed. Later that night Joanne called and explained that after the boys showed her the limp puppy, she mimed to them that she wanted to bury her. Not having a shovel or any other tools, the boys dug into the sandy earth with their bare hands and helped Joanne lay her to rest. Joanne said she was balling her eyes out and though the boys weren’t nearly as upset, after digging, Badr looked up at her with tears in his big brown eyes.
Naturally, I was really sad to learn about the puppy’s end, sad for Joanne, and sad for the boys. But the point of this entry is not to share a sad tale of life in Cairo. What sticks out for me is how one little puppy brought all of us together and incited us to take a moment out of our day just to play. Joanne, Badr, Imaan, me and eight other little kids despite all our differences stood together in a shared moment of joy. No matter how fleeting that moment was, the little puppy gave each one of us reason to smile, and in that moment, we were all in synch. It was such a simple moment, yet the more I think about it, the more beautiful and significant I realize it was. Thanks, little puppy.
Rest in peace