Potcakes

While in Nassau this week, I learned about potcakes.  Contrary to what you may think, they have nothing to do with either pot or cake.  It's the name given to the many stray dogs who live on the island, so called because residents used to (maybe still do?) feed them the remains of a traditional pea and rice mixture that gets caked to the bottom of a cooking pot.  The ones I saw were all yellow potcakes...

But apparently there are plenty of black potcakes as well.

Maisie and Havi's Bahamian sister?

Potcake overpopulation is a major problem in the Bahamas, due primarily to negative perceptions (and misconceptions) regarding spay/neuter there.  Although all the locals I asked assured me that the dogs are fed and generally looked after, a little online research disproves that, saying the animals are considered a deterrent to tourism and therefore it's not uncommon for them to be poisoned or even shot.  Though I was unaware of their short life spans at that point, my heart broke when I saw a potcake anyway and I became mildly obsessed with feeding at least one during my stay.  Unfortunately, I never had anything edible when a potcake appeared and when I did have food with me, I saw no potcakes.

Thankfully, there are humane and rescue organizations in the Bahamas trying to help the potcakes.  Some even have adoption programs for them here in the States.  Knowing there were so many needy dogs around just made me miss Maisie more, though I don't think the feeling was mutual.  My dog walker Paul said she had tons of fun playing with his dogs the whole time I was gone.  Here's a photo he took of Maisie hanging out on his back deck a couple days ago....her tail is just a blur 'cause it's wagging so fast!