Dogs and the Community

Since I was little, I have always been close to pets.Whenever I see a starving dog, I try to feed it.If a dog is injured, I take it to a veterinarian.These concerns for stray dogs became even more evident when I started college in 2014 at Yachay Tech University, Urcuqu , Ecuador, where I was part of the university's first generation of students.During my second semester, after finishing a class, I said to my friend Denisse Andrade, "Hey, I think I saw a dog go through a hole in the wall into some wooden houses before class.Would you come with me to check it out?"I had a strong feeling that we would find something interesting.We had to ask some guards to help us open the gate when we arrived at the site.Once inside, we discovered a yellow dog lying on the wooden floor nursing five tiny puppies that could not have been more than a week old.Denisse gasped and covered her mouth in surprise.I turned to her and said, "We have to name her.You're going to be called Curie" (after the scientist who won two Nobel Prizes).It was not the first time that someone had encountered dogs in that situation on campus, but there was a growing sense that it was happening more frequently.The semester was almost over, yet Denisse and I were determined to find ways to care for them.During the vacation period, the guards helped us by feeding the dogs with the food that we left behind.We also spoke with a woman who owned a nearby restaurant and asked if she could occasionally leave some of her leftover food for them.One Friday night, over beers at a karaoke bar, we shared our experience with Curie with some friends.Mar a Jos e De la Torre, a student from the second generation, said, "I can't sleep well at night.When one dog starts howling, five others join in, like they're performing at a concert.But I can't stay mad at them.In the mornings, when I go to class, there's always one that walks with me and waits outside until I'm done.I've grown fond of them."By that time, a population of about 40 dogs had already settled across the campus, with many choosing to spend the night near the student residences.Lenin Rueda, a friend from the first generation, remarked, "Some professors really dislike them.They can't stand having the dogs around during class-either because of their smell or simply because they don't want to see them."In truth, most people enjoyed the dogs' company.However, we had to admit that their presence sometimes caused discomfort.During mealtimes at the university restaurants, one or two dogs would often linger by the tables, waiting for scraps.Occasionally, garbage bags were torn open as the dogs searched for food.There were even a few instances of people being bitten.