Who's Who: Canine Edition

 I love dogs. This is a secret to no one.
 
Anywhere I am in Nepal, I stop to take pictures of street dogs – dogs meandering, dogs sleeping, dogs rolling in the dust, dogs sitting on the curb watching the road. Here, there is a stereotype that Americans are pet- and animal-lovers. I fit right into it.
 
This post is dedicated to the dogs and cats that have graced us with their presence for the two and a half months that we spent in pre-service training. I have come to know and love them; and in a few minutes’ time, you will come to know them too. I have also included the Shriiman family, who are, notably, cats, not dogs. Organized in order of proximity to my house, from close to far:

 TENI

Designated name: Teni
Description: Mid-size and sandy colored with tired eyes and a small, hairless wound on one leg. Small folded ears.
Sex: Male
Life Stage: Mid/Adult
Location: My house
Remarks: 11 years old. Spends most of his time sleeping and waiting for daal bhaat. Eats daal bhaat, biscuits, and kitchen scraps. Enjoys short walks during the day and eating plants on the side of the road. Has a chronic dry cough that makes him sound like a 93 year old smoker. Very sweet and friendly. Whines or barks when alerted to alarming sounds.

JOJI

Designated name: Joji
Description: Mid-size and average build with orange fur. Large, upright ears and sleepy eyes.
Sex: Male
Life Stage: Mid/Adult
Location: Hill village
Remarks: Very lazy. Often found sleeping on the road or in front of houses with his female companion (see: Joji’s Companion) and sometimes Dogfriend (see: Dogfriend) who is his ranking superior in the village hierarchy. Very jealous when other dogs get attention in his stead. Over the course of 2.5 months he began recognizing his name and my voice when I would call him from farther up the road. (He started wagging his tail and getting up to walk over...!). Enjoys biscuits and pets; smiles and flattens ears when pet. A real sweet one after warming up.

JOJI'S COMPANION

Designated name: None
Description: Slender build with rusty colored fur, black muzzle and ears. One tooth protrudes from the right side of her jaw.
Sex: Female
Life Stage: Mid-Young/Adult
Location: Hill village
Remarks: Extremely energetic. Tail wags constantly, always on the move. Loves attention and pets - will run up the street for greetings. Enjoys eating biscuits and getting in the way. Frequently instigates Joji's jealousy (see left). 

DOGFRIEND

Designated Name: Dogfriend
Description: Mid-size and sandy colored with extremely patchy medium-length fur and a long curly tail. Left ear flops continuously when jogging/running.
Sex: Male
Life Stage: Mid/Adult
Location: Hill village
Remarks: A real one. Beloved by our cluster of trainees and my favorite dog. Very smart, eager for attention, interactive, and calm. Follows after us around the village areas. Sometimes spends the morning in language class with us after our language instructors try to kick him out and fail. Defends friends from harm. Extremely scrappy. Sometimes appears from the fields with muddy paws and an extremely rank odor. Also the boss of the village. On top of all the comings and goings, and especially dog visitors. Bosses other dogs around and puts them in their place. Often gets into tuffs with other dogs. A bit smelly generally but we still love him. Enjoys biscuits and turkey sticks.

 

DAVID

Designated Name: David
Description: Large and long-furred, mostly black with brown underbelly, legs, and eyebrow spots.
Sex: Male
Location: Kiehl’s house
Remarks: Another beloved village dog. Lives at Kiehl’s house. Soft. Somewhat empty eyes that lead you to believe there are brain cells somewhere in his head but probably fewer than five. Still, full of so much love. Barks incessantly if anything/anyone comes near the house gate. Loud bark but is a real sweetheart. Loves attention and pets, will hurt himself in attempt to reach you when three meters away.
 

CHARLIE CHAPLIN

Designated Name: Charlie Chaplin KC II
Description: Pug
Sex: Male
Life Stage: Puppy
Location: Sharmila didi’s house
Remarks: Purchased as a gift for Sharmila didi shortly after our arrival following the death of her previous dog, who accidentally fell off the roof and strangled itself. Beloved by all trainees but most of all by Sharmila didi who spoils him rotten. Is fed chicken and is carried in a frontloading baby backpack for long journeys. Enjoys biting ankles, stuffing his head into shoes and smelling the, thoroughly, Chandan Ji, and general mischief. Occasionally drinks milk tea.
 

THE BALCONY DOG

Designated Name: Unknown
Description: Black and white small French bulldog type mix.
Sex: Female
Life Stage: Mid/Adult
Location: The house across from Sharmila didi’s house
Remarks: This dog lives in the house across from Sharmila didi’s house. Generally barks at passers-by from the balcony. Sometimes can be found on the steps of Sharmila didi’s house. Friendly and likes pets and belly rubs. I have no photos of her.
 

THE OLD ONE AT THE CORNER SHOP

Designated Name: None
Description: Small, long-haired white and fluffy fur.  Short, triangular ears. Glazed eyes.
Sex: Unknown
Life Stage: Old (buri)
Location: Corn village
Remarks: Old and blind. Generally seen in the evenings and sometimes afternoons. Wears an old harness and loiters around in front of its house and the small shop next door. Sometimes stands next to the road looking lost or confused. Probably senile.
 

JACK’S DOG

Designated Name: Kali
Description: Slender black dog with short hair, a long tail and upright ears.
Sex: Female
Life Stage: Mid/Adult
Location: Jack’s house and nearby intersection
Remarks: Full of energy. Always down to play and moving around constantly. Generally friendly with other dogs and very friendly with people. Enjoys licking faces and spending time with trainees.

 
THE ENGLISH HOUND

Designated Name: None
Life Stage: Mid/Adult
Description: Mid-size, white with black ears and small black spots. Looks vaguely English.
Sex: Male
Location: Intersection/shop neighborhood
Remarks: Not much is known about this dog. Hangs around the conglomeration of shops and the road. Keeps to himself. Advised to stay away from him but a handsome fellow. I have no photos of him :(

 

LIL PUP (COLLARED)

Designated Name: None
Description: Small, black and white spotted puppy with a red collar.
Sex: Male
Life Stage: Puppy
Location: Intersection neighborhood
Remarks: Not much is known about this one. Follows us around sometimes. Seems friendly enough. A cute one. Tried to take a photo one day but this was the best I could do (right), wouldn't stop moving. To the right is Jack’s dog.
 

HUMPHREY

Designated Name: None
Description: Very short legs with white socks and chest, otherwise black with floppy ears. Expressive brown eyes. Wears a dull green collar.
Sex: Male
Life Stage: Mid/Adult
Location: Unknown
Remarks: Sometimes can be found sitting or sleeping outside our language class in the sun. Appears to roam and can be seen in different areas; permanent site unknown. Likes attention and pets. Has no designated name, but on writing this profile the name “Humphrey” came to mind and feels extremely appropriate.

 

THE PASAL PACK (“The Shop Pack”)

Designated Names: None
Description: Several dogs makeup this group. A rusty short-legged roughhouser; several medium-length furred black dogs; and other miscellaneous dogs.
Sex: Male
Life Stages: Adult
Remarks: I do not know this group well but pass them every week coming and going from town. They are not remarkably friendly but I enjoy watching and greeting them from a distance. They often malinger at the top of the hill where many small shops are gathered.

 

THE ENGLISH GENTLEMAN

Designated Name: Sebastian (?)
Description: Mid-large size with medium length fur and very large, triangular ears. Left ear pronouncedly nicked. Black.
Sex: Male
Location: On the road/in the fields on the way to town.
Remarks: Gives the air of an extremely distinguished English gentleman. Can occasionally be seen in a road neighborhood or around the fields. Appears to roam. Likes to keep to himself but is quite friendly and enjoys pets. The name Sebastian was offered by Mark, and accepted, but its permanency is tentative.
 

SERU

Designated Name: Seru
Description: German shepherd
Sex: Male
Life Stage: Mid/Adult
Location: Anywhere, mostly in villages
Remarks: Has a long backstory of semi-ownership and abandonment. What he lacks in intelligence he makes up for in loyalty. Beloved by most. A bit smelly. Follows trainees around all day and waits outside for hours whining. Tries to follow us onto buses and jeeps. One day on our way to a waterfall, desperately ran behind our hired truck for 15 minutes before the driver felt bad enough to let him ride in the back of the truck with us. Eats biscuits, but not daal bhaat or vegetables. Enjoys pets and very friendly but hated by most dogs who growl, bark, chase after, and sometimes bite him.
 

 

SHRIIMAN SHYAAU JI

Designated Name: Shriiman Shyaau Ji (“Mr. Apple”)
Description: Spotted light brown cat. Green eyes.
Sex: Male
Life Stage: Mid/Adult

Location: Hill village

Remarks: A friend early on. Extremely responsive to anything that is said with a loud meow. Very friendly. Moody sometimes. Purrs very loudly when looked at and loves to be pet. Often frequents houses in the village to beg for milk, biscuits or daal bhaat. Leg-rubber-upper and walker-througher. Sometimes can be found roaming bushes by the roadside. Not afraid of much but does not enjoy the company of his son very much (see: Shriiman Shyaau Ji Jr.).
 

SHRIIMATI SHYAAU JI

Designated Name: Shriimati Shyaau Ji (“Mrs. Apple”)
Description: Spotted grey cat.
Sex: Female
Life Stage: Mid/Adult
Location: Hill village
Remarks: Greyer than her husband Shriiman Shyaau Ji. Often found in the presence of her son (see: Shriiman Shyaau Ji Jr.) with whom she lounges and plays. At first had two children but now only has one. Tolerates closeness but afraid of people. Proud mom.
 

SHRIIMAN SHYAAU JI JR.

Designated Name: None
Description: Small spotted light brown cat.
Sex: Male
Life Stage: Kitten/Adolescent
Location: Hill village
Remarks: Takes after his father, Shriiman Shyaau Ji Sr. Has inherited his extremely responsive personality. Playful and boisterous. Tolerates handling unlike his mother. Enjoys biscuits and appears to enjoy the presence of people.