In a dog eat dog world, there’re no freebies. So when beloved Hilda Baci, our world renowned chef was reported to be a dog lover, real dog lovers, led by Jackie Idimogu, knew Hilda’s love had a bite to it. They snarled at Hilda, telling her she was biting the hand that fed her.
But hold your paws, their claim is genuine. They said they supported Hilda during the cookathon, a four day straight nonstop cooking that held at Amore Gardens, Lekki on the 15th of May, 2023.
That’s the news but before I go further, a little story about my insights into dogs.
One time, when I traveled to the UK, something stood out for me.
Dogs.
Oyibo people are great dog lovers.
Go to the malls and markets; entire sections are dedicated to Dog food, cat food, too…all kinds of delicacies for dogs, o! Dogs have their own clothing lines. Plates, cups, carriage, covering for winter, leashes, collars, nail cutter, name it. They have dog walkers, whose jobs, as in paid jobs, is to take dogs out for walks. These help dogs exercise, and even socialize with other dogs.
If your neighbour reports you for neglecting your dog, it could be taken away from you. The same way your own children could be taken if there’s sniff of neglect on your part. The government swoops in and woof, your dog child is gone to foster homes. You should hear some dog daddies and mummies tell on Reddit, how they spend between $100-300 monthly on their dogs. Having a dog isn’t for the frugal or poor. It’s like having a child!
Then sit in front of the TV for some TV time. It will be punctuated with dog adverts or cat adverts. Or some charities asking you to donate to dogs or cats or even, you won’t believe it, donkeys!
For the love of dogs
Stroll into TikTok or Instagram, the most captivating, most commented upon, with love emojis, are those with dogs. Even on Reddit, Dog lovers will not let you drink water drop cup. Many of these dog owners call their dogs their babies, their children. You will believe them when you see sons and daughters dogs, behave like human beings. You see videos of them getting jealous. They throw tantrums like kids. Dogs can be overprotective. They bark their heads off when their mummies and daddies return from work. Sometimes, just watching them makes you want to own a dog in Nigeria.
But our people say, you never chop belleful, you dey buy dog!
Yeah, we have our occasional Bingos in Nigeria. We have a few of us who even own real dogs. The ones they call Charlie or Major or some real human names. Yes, we have a few people who are truly into man’s best friends and they take their responsibilities over their dogs seriously. They see the dogs as almost…human. They would skip meals just so their dogs can feed…I hear they don’t feed them all the time but when they do, na beta food!
So I wasn’t too surprised when a Jackie Idimogu, President of My Dog and I, called Hilda out. Jackie also owns a dog called Arthur, (I told you these dogs bear human names). The woman said Arthur is like her child. During Hilda’s cookathon, Jackie had gone along with Arthur and other dog lovers and their dogs, to cheer Hilda Baci.
Hilda betrayed their love
I get that she feels betrayed by Hilda and shocked that Hilda was a “child killer,” you know, Arthur the dog being her child and all.
Yes, you can laugh, everyone in the world is waking up to people to their truths these days. After all, we have people choosing new identities and the rest of us we are forced to accept their new identities. So please, leave Mama Arthur, alone.
Dogs have rights too. And yes, in Nigeria, we have a growing community of dog lovers. In fact, I have an in-law who not only breeds exotic dogs, he also sells them, too many times bringing them from abroad.
So, are we to say my in-law has no right to feel betrayed by Hilda Baci killing one of his “babies” and eating it with relish on social media?
That’s infanticide!
Hilda Baci is a child killer, that’s it, let’s say it as it is.
When I saw Mama Arthur’s video calling Hilda Baci out, I thought, who knew Hilda Baci was a child killer? They are some people even calling animal rights groups to boycott Hilda and prevent her from being recognized by the Guinness World Records over her cookathon!
I think that’s extreme.
However, for me, the only thing I could think of was, ‘so when all the dogs gathered to cheer Hilda, all she was thinking was how she would use one of them for her next delicacy. This Hilda is mean!‘
But, I shouldn’t be so scathing.
Why are we dragging Hilda so hard?
Arthur is still alive…for now, right? Nobody has complained of a missing dog, right?
Dog meat is a cultural food among some ethnic groups in Nigeria. I think Hilda is from that part where dog meat is a delicacy. Are we now going to trample on her right to eat dog meat simply because Mama Arthur is whining about dog meat?
I know among some sections of the people of Ondo state in Nigeria, dog meat is also eaten. Are we going to clamp them up because some people have dog children?
But one man’s meat is another man’s poison. In some cultures, among my Yoruba people, especially, when we see a cow. All our brain tells us is fried peppered meat, suya, bokotoo, shaki, and cowtail pepper soup. A rich pot of exotic meat. Whereas among certain cultures in Asia, a cow is revered and believed to dispense spiritual gifts, it will not end up in a pot of soup.
Some cultures eat frogs and snakes, even monkeys, gross as it sounds, while some will never think of it as food.
Come to think of it, many cultures in Asia also eat dog meat!
Some religions abhor pork and some others relish it in every form they can get it, to everyman his own.
Leave Hilda Baci alone
I get that a few people will be angry, even disappointed at the joy with which Hilda Baci consumed dog meat she ‘isn’t seeing a dog with the same doe eyes dog lovers see them.
Let’s not agitate too much as we await the Guinness World’s record response to Hilda Baci’s cookathon. The simple fact that there is no record of the dog being killed in an inhuman manner, please let Hilda enjoy her dog delicacy in peace.
The worst that can happen is when you know she’s in your area, call your Bingos home until Aunty Hilda leaves the vicinity, no dog is safe.