For as long as I can remember, “Mongrel” dogs have occupied the lowest rung of Jamaican life. They’ve been viewed merely as a menace to society, disturbing garbage, defecating in inconvenient places and breeding. Mongrels have been rejected, neglected, killed and abused, their often emaciated and maimed bodies as endemic to Jamaican neigbourhoods and town centres, as reggae music blaring from speaker boxes at a dance (at least pre-COVID-19).
Along with crimes against our fellow citizens (men, women and children), the treatment of these innocent animals, have come to symbolise the wanton harshness and cruelty of some of our people, and the darkness in our hearts. The mistreatment of these strays, especially the frequency with which they become roadkill, has reportedly been a turn off for tourists (just a note of fact; not saying this is the only reason we should care).
However, God has showed that His eyes are upon even these animals, and He has created rest for them.
Recently, an animal rescue in Montego Bay liberated 145 dogs from their suffering and arranged for them to migrate to Canada to new homes and owners. All of a sudden, these animals viewed as nothing and treated as such, have been catapulted to a position where they are now viewed as valued and valuable.
Mongrel is a moniker for dogs of no definable breed; or undistinguished breed. However, we have now learned that these animals have a respectable name; they are called Brown Terriers. After a lifetime of mistreatment and lack of identity, their true identity has been restored.
I believe this development is replete with prophetic symbolism. God is literally raising up the underdog; the rejected in society and granting them a home. Many people have been rejected, shamed, maligned; redefined; relegated to a lowly place and saddled with an image and a life that God did not ordain for them.
These persons have been wounded, cheated, lied on, ridiculed, devalued and left for dead. Many have been called ugly, dunce, stupid, or told they would not amount to anything. These are our broken children, teens and adults, some carrying wounds for decades.
God is restoring people’s identities and setting them in the safety they have desired, and importantly, the life He has designed for them before the foundation of the world.
The batch of dogs that migrated to Canada according to the news reports numbered 145. In Psalm 145: 18, God’s word says, “The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”
The Psalm says, He satisfies the desires of all living things—even dogs. When I read that scripture, I got the image of a dog looking up expectantly to be fed. Many times when you are preparing a meal for a dog, he or she stares at you with great expectation. My dog Trip would lean his head and cock his ear, and his gaze would not leave you as you prepare his food.
These animals finally have homes where they will be loved, fed and nurtured to be everything God created them to be. Yes, they are just dogs, you may say, but God tells us that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without Him knowing. Psalm 84:3declares, even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself.”
As the scripture in Psalm 145 declares, He gives food in due season. It is the due season for God to bring restoration in the lives of His children; those who have endured hard toil and difficult circumstances. Don’t stop believing because God is faithful to fulfil His word. He is restoring and rebuilding the desolation of many generations. Racial injustice, the neglect of children, the abuse of his people and other disadvantaged individuals and groups are on God’s heart.
When I saw the news report, I laughed—but it was not a laugh of distained; it was a laugh because, yes, the story was funny in a sweet way, but more so it was a laughter of joy for these dogs that have suffered for so long—I was thinking to myself that Jamaicans were now going to show more respect for these dogs; it is a thing in Jamaica that we never show respect and care for what we have until someone from overseas comes and tells us that it is good and has value.
It was a joy because it resonated with my spirit and the knowing in my heart that there was value in these animals despite the mistreatment from society over the years. My laughter was also a laughter about the goodness of God. God gave me a heart for dogs when He brought a wounded puppy to my doorsteps some years ago. He has been laying on my heart a deep concern for the animals over the last few months. And before anyone criticises and asks what about the children, God’s love for our children and people is on a whole other level; there is no comparison. His word says He has created us a little lower than the angels and that he stitched us together in our mother’s womb.
But if we want to reduce crime in Jamaica and build a kinder, gentler society, we have to start with being kind to the least of these…the animals. That was what the Lord laid on my heart. Proverbs 12:10 says, “A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”
I know life is hard and many people can hardly care for themselves much less animals, and it does take cash to care—for both people and animals. But small acts of kindness for animals, such as avoiding hitting them or throwing stones at them, and feeding a stray, are good starting points.
People in Jamaica are now taking a fresh look at the former Mongrels. I was driving recently and stopped to let a dog across the road. Suddenly a vendor shouted with laughter in her voice, “Nuh lick him dung because mi want him go a Canada guh sen fi mi (do not run him over, because I would like him to migrate to Canada and send for me). Mind you, the dog was female, but many Jamaicans just call all dogs he.
Images of the recently migrated dogs with their new owners in Canada highlighted some of them looking healthy and well fed, living indoors, being walked regularly and some even wearing clothing to keep them warm from the elements. Prior to going to Canada, they were dewormed and purged of parasites. Their new life is a far cry from the indignities they have suffered.