BENAULIM: In the serene coastal village of Benaulim, Lawrence Rodrigues has taken on the role of guardian for the area’s stray dogs. At 44, Lawrence’s daily routine is anything but ordinary. She begins her day at 6 am, cooking five kilos of rice in a big handi, with chicken and beef bones on alternate days. She feeds more than 50 dogs who live on the main beach in Benaulim, 35 at the nearby parking area, and 20 at her house, amounting to a total of over 110 stray dogs that roam Benaulim beach and its surroundings.
“My mother accompanies me in the mornings because there are too many dogs, and they sometimes end up fighting,” Lawrence explains. The number of dogs she cares for increases weekly as people continue to abandon puppies in the area. Despite this adding to her burden, Lawrence, who has been feeding them since 2007, remains undeterred, her giving spirit shining bright.
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Running a small refreshment kiosk near Benaulim beach, Lawrence uses half of her earnings to provide food and medical care for the dogs – but does not consider herself generous. Her motivation is simple and straightforward: “These animals need someone to feed them, especially during the monsoon. As a Catholic, it forbids me to allow another living thing to suffer when we have the means to help,” she says.
Lawrence’s efforts extend beyond feeding. She treats dogs with skin diseases, maggots, and mange by contacting a veterinarian and always keeps animal medications at home. She has also neutered over 20 dogs to help control the population and is seeking support to get all her strays sterilised eventually. Collaborating with the kind people who run Mission Rabies, she ensures that all her wards are regularly vaccinated and maintain good health.
One would think Lawrence would be adored and supported for her compassion, but sadly, all she receives are brickbats and threats for her selfless service. Despite facing abuses from locals who disapprove of her efforts, Lawrence powers through. “I face many threats from people for feeding the dogs. Someone even threatened to poison them all. It makes me feel so bad, because it isn’t their fault that they live and reproduce on the beaches and streets, it’s our fault. We humans domesticated dogs thousands of years ago, and have since used them for protection, companionship and more importantly, they save lives,” she says, referring to search and sniffer dogs who risk their own lives to rescue people after natural disasters. “We have to take responsibility for our actions, and deal with the stray overpopulation issue with humanity,” she quips.
However, there are several people in the village who admire and support her work. “I once came across a mangy dog and informed Lawrence. She immediately sprang into action, contacted a vet, and walked a long distance carrying the dog to the doctor. She is a very hardworking woman,” says Bazilia Rodrigues from Benaulim, pointing out that Lawrence mans her kiosk from 8 am to midnight, and even until 2 am during the peak tourist season.
Lawrence has also adopted 20 dogs that were sick or injured, and recently took in a litter of eight kittens abandoned on the beach. “My dogs look after me, and make me and my mother feel very safe,” she adds.
