My dogs eat whatever food I eat, way to go in present economy

As the economic situation in Nigeria worsens, maintaining pets is increasingly challenging, particularly for those committed to specific brands of dog food. Bola Fatoba, who began keeping dogs in 2015, has trained her pets to eat whatever food is available from her kitchen. In this interview, she shares with DAYO EMMANUEL why she sometimes prefers the company of her pets over that of some people.

Excerpts:

Any challenges so far with keeping dogs?

I haven’t faced many challenges with my dogs. My dog is very sensitive; sometimes it escapes when the gate is open, and it won’t return until it has explored the area. Occasionally, it picks up dirt or gets attacked by other dogs, requiring treatment. Another time, my female dog ate an entire broiler chicken when I was out. I had to address that behavior seriously. My Doberman used to pull my uniform off the clothesline, chew shoes, and destroy things. These are the primary challenges I’ve encountered.

How have you been coping with keeping dogs in this economy?

From the start, my dogs have adapted to eating whatever I eat. My previous Doberman refused to eat dog feed, so I ended up giving it to my chickens. My dogs eat pounded yam, rice, custard, and milk. Many of my friends, who buy expensive dog food, regret it and have put their dogs up for sale. I don’t face any significant issues caring for my dogs. If my dog has a fever, I give it paracetamol, and if it gets bitten, I use iodine.

Do they have puppies? How do you manage breeding? What breed?

Yesterday, my dog had a litter of three puppies. My male dog used to escape frequently to mate with other female dogs, so I sold it due to theft concerns. Now, I only have the female. When she was in heat, we brought in several male dogs, but she rejected them until we found one she accepted. My former Doberman was very protective and known in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, it developed swollen limbs in 2020 and eventually passed away despite the vet’s efforts. The vet suggested a spiritual cause for its illness, which made us very emotional as the dog had been with us since it was a puppy.

What is special about these pets? Is your dog male or female?

What makes these pets special is their ability to follow instructions. They listen better than some humans. If you talk to a dog, it listens and respects you. Dogs often behave better than people and can sometimes be more helpful. I enjoy keeping dogs and chickens, as chickens are also aware of their owners.

How long have you been keeping dogs?

I started keeping dogs in 2015. My daughter saw puppies at my sister’s house and wanted one. Since then, I can’t imagine life without dogs. They are better companions than many backbiting friends. Sometimes, it’s just me and the dog in the house, and I feel like I have someone with me.

Are dogs truly spiritual as some people claim?

Dogs have a keen sense of vision and can detect evil. They stay alert while we sleep. If there’s a snake, they will kill it. If they sense movement at the gate, they will bark to alert me.

Did your parents keep dogs when you were growing up? What was your first encounter with dogs?

When I was young, we had a dog named Jack. It crossed the highway and was hit by a car. I’ve never been afraid of dogs. When I see a dog, I ask for its name, call it, and it usually relaxes, thinking it knows me. It’s important not to run from a dog because if you do, it will chase you.