Bangkok Street Dogs

A place to learn about the lives of street dogs in Bangkok, Thailand, with emphasis on the individual characters of the Bangkok street dog community and their stories of hardship and humor.

View Casanova's Welcome Message

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Re-introducing Casanova (the author of this blog)



If you haven't already seen my welcome message from a few months ago, you're probably wondering about the dog behind this blog, and why I started it. Well, my name is Casanova, and I'm a 3 year old male dog of extremely mixed heritage who lives near the Klong Toey market in Bangkok, Thailand. Over the past couple of months, I've used this blog to highlight the life and times of some of my closest pals in the Bangkok street dog community. Now it's time for you to learn some more about me!

Despite my extreme good looks -- as evidenced in the photo collage above, which I have put together to convey every nuance of my rugged, yet handsome visage -- I am still a pretty down-to-earth dog. My personality is simple and loyal, as my legions of street dog friends can attest. I would do anything for a friend in a time of need, and am confident that my friends would return the favor. And that's what it's all about when you're a dog roaming the lonely, dusty streets of Bangkok.

How many of us street dogs roam the capital's streets? No one really knows, but the newspapers estimate anywhere from 100-300,000. As I mentioned before, Thailand's Buddhist influence means they don't round us street dogs up and put us to sleep on a regular basis. However, some pretty hideous things do happen to me and my brothers and sisters, and many of us do carry dangerous diseases such as rabies. I started this blog not to gloss over or ignore these harsh realities, but to give us dogs a voice, and hopefully, portray us in a positive light.

I'm not asking you humans to pretend like the problems we cause don't exist, I just want you to realize that most of us dogs are pretty kind-hearted creatures. Also keep in mind that no other animal is as closely aligned with humans as dogs are - it's a fact. Unless you count dolphins or killer whales, but it's not like they can guard your house if a burglar breaks in, know what I mean? And they're not exactly cuddly either.

Anyway... I'm Casanova and I hope you enjoy my blog.

40 Comments:

Blogger Gloria said...

Hi, Casanova!
I like your blog, nice and pretty special!

11:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hey casanova!!
I saw ur blog for the first time today and found it really amusing. Being an ardent animal lover myself, I really loved this idea of urs. Way to go. I'll add u to my links cos i want everyone who visits my blog to take a look at ur blog too! And I really identify with how u feel abt street dogs in ur country, cos being from India, I know street dogs live a similar life here. Keep it up!

3:47 AM  
Blogger Sumeeta said...

Casanova,

This has to be one of the most interesting and creative blogs that I have ever seen. I also love the fact that you are highlighting the difficult life that animals face when they have to fend for themselves. Kudos to you!

6:29 AM  
Blogger Dawner said...

Great Blog it is so nice to see that there are people out there watching over the ones that have no one. I am a very big animal lover and some of these stories just break my heart. Hats off too you and make sure they all get a pet from me...

6:45 AM  
Blogger Inkonkoni said...

Like the others who have stumbled across your gem, I love your blog. Stupid question, but if I go to that temple, will I really see Max?

8:09 AM  
Blogger Contrarian said...

You are very cute, Casanova.

Congratulations on being list on blogger.com's front page, this is a very nice blog.

chazinc.blogspot.com

2:44 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Great blog, keep it up!

4:03 PM  
Blogger Daniel Hoffmann-Gill said...

HEY!

What about me?

I've been a dog with a blog for a while!

*sighs*

4:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hola, Casanova, my name is Pluma, I'm from Chile and my master found me in a sewer two years ago (I was three month old then). That's why, I guess, I'm so touched by your nice blogg. Congratulations!

7:29 PM  
Blogger Casanova said...

Peter, sure, if you have some photos of stray dogs, send them over to me! soul_yawn at yahoo

9:08 PM  
Blogger sylv said...

Hi Casanova
in your opinion would you say that Bangkok soi dogs are more laid back than elsewhere in the country e.g. Chiang Mai?

For example when we went up to Petchaburi, all the dogs growled at my husband. Do let me know!

10:10 PM  
Blogger Ledzeppelin4evr said...

hey casanova, loved your blog. i had a friend who looked just like you...of mixed parentage too! anyway,kudos to all the dogs who face hardship just to survive...just remember, ALL dogs go to heaven!

2:05 AM  
Blogger Crew Koos said...

I just love those doggies

If you want more, check out:

http://www.crewkoos.blogspot.com

for more french dogs

3:38 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hi Cassanova,
You have a wonderful blog. I have adopted a former Puerto Rican street dog. He is the most loving, sweet & appreciative dog an owner could ask for. I wish one day all the street dogs knew the comfort of a warm couch.

Here is website of the rescue group where I found Rocco: www.animalsinneed.net

11:27 AM  
Blogger Myrtle Beach Dude said...

What a great dogblog!
I love your writing style and getting to know your neighbors. I went to
Learn Spanish in Costa Rica And met several nice dogs there and I always get to see many cool canines in my home town of Myrtle Beach

5:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi,
I think this is a very creative and rather intellectual way of bringing forth attention to animals.
I'm impressed being an animal lover myself. I often wonder what these mute creatures feel when merciless humans treat them awfully.
Well done.Nice way to put forth animals views on life too

1:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello Cass,

I'm Nopy ("Noh-Pee"). Im very happy reading ur blog, but feel a bit sad too. Hope my brothers and sisters will get a better life.

I like how u write ur friends' stories. Maybe u can catch up with some of them and see how they've been doing? (Write follow-ups on previous dogs)?

Love to see new ones too.

Keep it up and bless u....Woof!

3:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ohh....do u know how I came to know this website? I was lying on the floor watching TV, and ur page was shown! It was PhoenixTV.....

3:12 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

100,000 - 300,000 dogs struggling to find food every day, existing near starvation, trying to avoid getting hit by cars and trucks. This is sad. I hope that engaged Buddhism in Thailand supports vasectomy as mindful compassion for animals. Freddie at http://freddiesblog.blogspot.com/

9:05 AM  
Blogger Marnie said...

Your blog is adorable! I'm definitely linking you on my page!

3:15 PM  
Blogger Meesh said...

What a great blog! They does not be pedigree, but they're absolutely beautiful and adorable.

9:19 PM  
Blogger Kyai Syuhud Zayadi said...

well,sorry i dont like dog so much. i prefer cat instead. :) nice picture, though. me at, http://global-diary.blogspot.com . u r welcome there. :)

1:57 AM  
Blogger laura k said...

thank you for blogging. thanks for showing us these warm hearts and sad eyes.

8:28 AM  
Blogger Kris Barger said...

Kool Ideal for a blog. I like it and I a big dog fan myself I have two now love them both.

8:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dogs are the pet of the nitwit.

They lounge all day and dow nothing and eat.

Cats are the superior pet.

11:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Im sorry I forgt to sign my name.

Cats are the only true house pet.

11:18 AM  
Blogger Sh said...

Meow ! even kittens enjoyed reading your blog - perhaps a kind of admiration they have for you but more importantly they were impressed with the charms of Stella ;) Wd love to hear abt her more :D

11:59 PM  
Blogger the many Bs said...

Hi Casanova, I really like your blog. I'm a huge dog lover and your stories are the best. Thanks and keep writing and posting photos. I love it!

12:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have a dog and a cat, but i like my dog better.

Cats lounge all day, do nothing and eat too, AND poop all over your lawn (and your neighbour's lawn).

Dogs are clearly the superior pet.

1:01 AM  
Blogger Lynx said...

Very imaginative blog, salutes for not glossing over the harshness of a street dog's life while maintaining some levity.

You've got a really cool blog concept here, and you don't need to listen to the naysayers and overly-sensitive or downright anal-retentive people who choose to interpret the contents of this blog in the worst possible manner.

Just keep up the good work ma- err, i mean dawg! This is one blog i'm gonna keep an eye on. =)

1:14 AM  
Blogger Sylvie said...

Sawasdee ja, Casanova! This is one special blog you have here! BRAVO!! As someone who grew up in Bangkok and who is a huge animal lover, cats and dogs alike, I was most delighted to have found your blog. Keep up with the great job! If there is anything I can do to help you and your friends, let me know, I go back to your city every so often :) Big hugs :)

3:10 AM  
Blogger SillyBahrainiGirl said...

wow! glad I came across this blog tonight.

tried doing one for my nephew (www.sillybahrainiboy.blogspot.com) but failed to update it..

thanks to you, i think i will go back to my nephew's blog and give him something and lots of memories for when he grows older!

12:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are a handsome lil' guy. Love the blog..what a great idea.

10:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

10:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Amazing blog. I am really taken by your blog.

Keep up the good work Gloria.

dogs

3:56 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cassanova, you're ma dog! I can imagine the smell of your male musk. U must be the guy with all the bitches! Mutt or not I think I'm in lurve!

10:55 PM  
Blogger barefeetbilly said...

Meow!

2:03 PM  
Blogger LeMas. said...

Oh my, I believe that my dog Iniki is your doppelganger.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mechoeso/93946/

9:23 PM  
Blogger Bubblegum Marxist said...

Dear Casanova,
I really love your blog!!! Thanks for introducing us to your friends (please say hi to them for me, they are so adorable) and posting lots of cute pics. Maybe I will bump into you someday in the streets of Bangkok. I go there pretty often to visit my boyfriend and I like to hang out with the Muang Thong Thani dogs near his place : ) Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Take care and keep happy!

7:12 AM  
Blogger rei_expresso said...

hi Casanova, just bump into your blog and i read all of them. Certainly, you have brought much life into these pals... keep up the good work! God bless you

6:47 PM  

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