It is a 9 mile walk to get to the paved road where I can catch a bush taxi when I need to get to Konni. This dog likes to follow much of the way, and it's nice to have the company.My relationship with dogs, as you can probably guess, is different from that of most Nigeriens. Like them, I steer clear of all dogs I don't know, and I don't attempt to treat any dog here like I would an "American dog." However I am quick to curl up with the handful of dogs that I trust. There are four of those: two in my village, and two in Konni at the hostel. It's nice to bring that side of me out; dogs, after family and friends, are the coolest.
At the hostel in Konni, chilling with one of the dogs (and clutching some cheese from a care package)