Loving and paying for pets
Just recently I was influenced to repeat a story once narrated to me because of a quite similar tale shared.
Both similar stories provoked thoughts even debate, with regard to human nature accepting – or rejecting – the morality of former criminals, convicts, crooked politicians or evil fraudsters changing their former lives of mischief to become upright “exemplary” citizens. Even paragons of virtue!
While some would find it difficult – even impossible – to accept that the convicted killer or guilty rapist or identifiable fraudster has reformed their lives to become Citizens of Excellence, other more religious see moral triumph in converted wrong-doers. What’s your position?
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A reformed patriotic cartel boss
There is an island somewhere in the Pacific which once rivalled even early Colombia as a narcotics/drugs producer, haven and exporter. Law-abiding islanders were ashamed of their society’s status for generations but could do little about it. That was because one of three major Islander–Drug-Barons had succeeded in, slowly but surely, compromising the ruling political leaders, the judiciary, the police and other forces, sections of the public service – and of course, both the poor and the more criminal-minded.
But, after the Western Nations threatened the “powerful” drug island with certain crippling sanctions, a combination of forces and circumstances effectively dismantled the major drug leader’s empire.
Fair and free elections saw the Islanders changing the government; a crooked Police Commissioner died; the new administration allowed America’s FBI to set up shop on the Island and an invigorated Church and Civil Society hounded out the known Cocaine Cartel Bosses. And, as if by religious fervour or triumph, the top drugs baron seemed to convert his life to legal patriotic pursuits.
The 67-years old, by 2003, began to finance new schools, factories, medical clinics, old peoples sanctuaries and rehab centres in the island. His wife and two daughters even built a new church for the younger Islanders, replete with modern gospel music and a band; started an island newspaper; a television facility and, naturally, social media outlets.
The Baron now preaches patriotism and teaches “morality” – philanthropy. Would you accept the reformed Baron? Why? Not?
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Good thief, good security guard
As a lover, protagonist of wholesome things creole I love, naturally, our folkloric proverbs. I repeat, with explanations, my favourites regarding thieves and thievery.
“Tief from tief mek God laugh”. The law-enforcement authorities and even God, supposedly, find humour when thieves fall out and target each other. Detection surely follows.
Even Drug Barons, top fraudsters do not like to be outsmarted by rivals or by their own: “Tief man na like see he mattie with bag”.
“Good Tief man mek good watchman”. Hopefully the reformed thief can be a trusted adviser, informer against wrong-doing with his one-time back ground. Watchmen are now dubbed security guards. With levels of appropriate training. But need I wonder when the news is reporting security guards’ involvement in criminal mischief? Poor us.
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Love for animals – and pet-rent
Just two weeks ago I visited my daughter whose inland community narrowly escaped the destructive ravages of her Fort Myers, Florida city by Hurricane Ian. Much of Fort Myers was wrecked. But just there is where I experienced some Americans’ extreme love for/of animals!
(I digress to remind that there is a maxim that advises that: A society can be judged by the way it treats its elders – and its animals. (2) Dogs and puppies would scamper to hide under houses and bridges by 2:30 pm as schools dismissed at 3:00 and Guyana’s school boys would be out with bricks and stones in their naughty hands. I trust this generation is no longer that unkind.)
In hurricane-devastated Florida I witnessed devoted love for pets and all animals. Of course there were/are electronic and written advisories on how various categories of frightened animals are to be cared during a storm.
Then, besides Petco and Petsmart, Fort Myers boasts a top-level pet supermarket where my daughter took me to purchase supplies for her pet canine.
There are dresses and suits for cats and dogs; medications for all pets (as for humans); short flight of stairs for dogs and cats to access their beds or their owners’ top bunk; of course the wide variety of pet foods packaged professionally will make any animal proud, as it – the supermarket announces that “we speak dog” and “we speak cat”, selling automatic pet meals dispensers.
One interesting issue though – or is it unfortunate? – is that Fort Myers tenants have to pay landlords extra rent for certain pets in residence! According to the pet’s weight! (Only service or comfort dogs exempted!)
I saw pet owners readying their loved ones for aeroplane flights. Then one dog barked throughout one of my flights to Florida. And I think that I’ve mentioned before that the vets address my daughter’s pet cat Dino as “Dino Springer” using the family’s surname. How are we doing with pets here Guyana?
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Just ponder…
● 1) Great news the UK Visa relaxation. The British too want to travel to our oil-rich destination much more!
●2) What!? By year-end we should be given vouchers to shop at supermarkets, stores and pharmacies to be earmarked? Wouldn’t that be great? Useful from our oil-revenues?
Til next week!
