DOG KEEPER WITH A PASSION

By Koech Cheruiyot @Koecheruiyot on twitter.

For some years Cyrus Maina had engaged in timber selling business and was well with it. Then came a mishap, his premise caught fire but he managed to rescue some goods. 

The second instant, an inferno donned in red pain and bitterness of losing a whooping four and a half million shillings changed Maina’s perspective in life. The then affluent bachelor in his late twenties went from affluent to penniless, prompting him to open his eyes.

As I enter the gate to his plot in Kiambu, dog barks welcome me and before Maina receives me, a black German shepherd pounces on me playfully. My host joshes that the man’s friend had scanned me for any weapon.

According virtual library Wikipedia, there are over a hundred and fifty breeds of dogs and many more different varieties. 

The animal which is known to have lived peacefully with mankind for thousands of years can play disparate roles. There are guard dogs, companion dogs, herding dogs, working dogs and hunting dogs among others.

When Maina lost three and half million shillings to hungry fire at Nairobi’s Gikomba market in the early 1990s he remained jobless. To maintain his means of living, he resorted to poultry and Rabbit keeping. Though the business thrived, his chickens were stolen one night.

“It was after my chicken were stolen in 1996 that I decided to buy a German shepherd to offer security to my rabbits and a few chicken that had remained.” The 42-year old says.

The father of four keeps four hound breeds which he trains everyday in his plot. He says it is not easy to keep dogs for sale as it requires a lot of commitment.

“I keep the German Shepherd, Rottweiler, American Pit-Bull and the Great Dane.” He says as a pit-bull puppy rests on his lap. “You have to know how to train and bring up each breed because they perform specific roles.” He continues, adding that he keeps the dogs as a career and spends more than eight hours a day attending to them.

Maina advices that when choosing a dog, an individual should understand the breed.

“You should identify your personal circumstance for example your life at home, available space for the dog, the role it will play, and even the time available for it daily.”

With about 60 hounds in his compound, Maina says customers drip in a weekly basis. He however expresses satisfaction with the business.

“Dog keeping might look strange but it is what maintains my family.” He quips, adding “A young one goes for about Ksh.50, 000 while an adult can go for Ksh.100, 000 up to Ksh.150, 000.”

Maina says dogs require special feed but such feed can be supplemented by human food. He cautions against leaving dogs stray adding that regular attendance to the dog by a vet is a must.

He concludes our interview with advice to unemployed youth that his job should be an eye opener to those who sit back claiming lack of employment.

“Ni ile tu watu hawajajua vile wanafaa kuishi.” He retorts.

Failing in life should not keep us down but act as a beginning of another life.