Previous
Lady and the tramp
Feature-Lady and the tramp - WBF08
The lady and the tramp
How a potcake conquered high society
There has been no more poignant figure than the one created by Charlie Chaplin: the irrepressible tramp-battered, scorned and humbled, but always rising above is circumstances through wit and the force of personality.
Grand Bahama found its own beloved little tramp seven years ago, in the unlikely shape of an urchin puppy cowering by the side of the road leading from the international airport. In true Chaplinsque fashion, this forlorn mutt became a symbol of hope, delight and pathos to millions, hob-nobbing with film stars and raising funds to help other unfortunate animals in The Bahamas and the US.
When Bahamian socialite Frances Singer-Hayward first encontered Amigo he was, she recalls, a "tragic creature," little more than skin and bone covered with a few clumps of mangy, matted fur. "But he had such a sweet expression," she says today. Singer-Hayward tried to offer him food, but he refused and scuttledaway. Animal control was called and a trap laid. But for three days, says Singer-Hayward, the tramp would not touch the food. "Then on the third day there he was, a poor little thing. I went up and said, 'Hi,' and he recognized me and started to jump aroud. He instantaneously lost all his fear."
Amigo could not have found himself a better patron. Singer-Hayward was then chairman of the Grand Bahama Humane Society, a tireless campaigner for animal welfare and an inveterate collector of waifs and strays. " only have seven dogs now," she says, "because I'm off-island so much. But there were up to 16 at one time, as well as Babyface the pig, two cows and a bull named Sweetie."
The daughter of US composer Lewis Charles Singer, she was already an animal righs activist when she came to Grand Bahama 30 years ago.
But it was meeting Jack (later Sir Jack) Hayward, while organizing concerts at the Regency Theatre, that allowed her to take a more hands-on approach to animal welfare.
"Jack encouraged me to bring home anything I found," she says, "although really, I have always thought that they find me. All my dogs have been these poor little creatures that I've encountered, some are strays, but many have been bush dogs and never dealt with people before."
Amigo was one of these "potcakes"-a Bahamian term for the rice caked to the bottom of a pot after being boiled. This was traditionally fed to family dogs.
Although potcakes are completely unregulated mongrels, they are thought of in The Bahamas as a breed. Unil travel between the islands became commonplace, it was often easy to tell exactly where a potcake came from by its appearance.
"They are such underestimated dogs," says Singer-Hayward. "They are bright, they have wonderful survival skills, and they're loyal and sweet. Their ancestors came here with the founders of these islands, and you can't get more illustrious than that."
Despite their noble ancestry, most bush dogs endure lives of terrible deprivation. In 1997 Singer-Hayward launched and underwrote the Grand Bahama Humane Society's spay/neuter campaign in a bid to reduce the numbers of dogs running wild on the island. Together with Canadian animal behaviourist William Grimmer, who trains all her dogs, Singer-Hayward created a public relations "crusade against animal suffering." It was not until Amigo, however, that she found a dog with enough personality to be the face of her campaign.
"As soon as we let him out of the trap that first day, it was obvious," she says. "There was a spark and we all saw it. He was excited by everything, and he loved to perform." Soon he was touring the schools of Grand Bahama, promoting the message of Singer-Hayward's spay/neuter campaign, and his face was splashed across the Humane Society's posters, calendars and clothing.
Quickly earning himself the title of "Potcake Star Amigo," he appeared on local television and in 2003 co-starred in a video recounting the story of his life, with beloved Bahamian musicians Ronnie Butler and Sweet Emily, "The Queen of Junkanoo."
International celebrity arrived in 2005 when the Humane Society of the United States and the Friends of Amigo Foundation launched the BeKind campaign, which raises funds through the sale of "cause collars" for pets, with matching wristbands for their owner. When Amigo and Singer-Hayward appeared on CNN just days after the launch, 30,000 collar sets were sold in a single day.
Hurricane Katrina had only just devastated New Orleans and BeKind, together with the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF), organized a 60-seat bus-called the Amigo Express-to bring animals rescued from the rubble of the city back to the ARF's shelter. The following year, Amigo returned to Louisiana to lead the canine portion of New Orleans' 150th Mardi Gras parade as "King of Barku".
For his contributions to animal welfare, Amigo was given ARF's Ambassador of Goodwill award, presented by actor Alec Baldwin and the Vanity Fair Breakthrough Star award.
Then, at the peak of his career, tragedy struck. Amigo was diagnosed with cancer in late 2006, and his left leg was amputated immediately. "He dealt with it so well," says Singer-Hayward. "He could run and jump and chase frisbees." He even starred in Animal Fair magazine's 8th annual Paws for Style fashion show in New York, capering own the runway in a blue-silk creation by Lloyd Klein, whose other clients include Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman.
Unfortunately, the cancer recurred and Amigo died in October 2007. But his work goes on posthumously. The government of The Bahamas has issued an Amigo stamp, and Singer-Hayward has plans to commemorate him with his own cartoon series and a range of fund-raising merchandise.
"He was a little potcake like a million others," she says. "Who knows what potential they all have? Amigo opened our yes to that. I feel that he was sent to me by Providence to fulfill that mission."
CONTACT INFORMATION
E-Mail: Click here
Internet: https://
Disclaimer:
Information in editorial and listings is subject to change at any time.