It was not easy to heap a dog on the campus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology ( KNUST ), Kumasi, in the 1970s. The holy mess was caused by the night visitors from the zongo, the former slaves ' site situated just across the Accra road from the university ' s main entrance. The humankind of the zongo were descended from northern tribes, some of which habitually fatigued dog flesh. In malevolence of this complication that could bring instant sorrow through the loss of a precious pet, some unfearful academics did their best to provision canine companionship for their families.
For a epoch or two, the author tried to preserve a dog - less existence but this abstinence was challenged when a brother returning to the UK asked for someone to holding on the worry of his family ' s much loved pets. He explained that one local mongrel pest, Sandy, had been his family ' s chosen pet but Sandy had formed a friendship with fresh local desultory woe, Ruppup, which had further been taken unbefitting their protection. A general warning was issued about the fecundity of Sandy but Ruppup was thought to be infertile.
Regrettably, it was not long before Ruppup went the way of all dog flesh, presumably into the cooking pot in the zongo, but Sandy established a successful relationship with a thoroughbred boxer, the prized possession of a professor from Sri Lanka. Whether or not this afforded her an extra degree of nocturnal protection, she survived long enough to produce two litters each of five mongrel puppies. The first five puppies were all found suitable homes but when the second litter appeared, one puppy that was big and red, preserving many of the admirable features of its father, was kept as a companion for his mother. Born on a Sunday, the chosen puppy was promptly given the day name, Kwesi, much to the annoyance of some Ghanaian friends who objected to an Akan human name being given to a dog. Perhaps they had forgotten, or were prepared to overlook, that the hero of their spider stories was called Kwaku ( born on Wednesday ) Ananse.
In the course of time, Sandy followed Ruppup into the unknown and Kwesi was left an orphan. His training was taken in hand by teenage boys on holiday from school in England and he was soon walking at heel, obeying verbal commands, and scratching on the door with his paw when he wanted to come into the house. His party trick was not touching the fresh food in his bowl until the word was given. In summary he proved to be as disciplined and intelligent a dog as the son of a boxer is expected to be. In a situation in which very few dogs are trained as in Western countries, Kwesi ' s skills were much admired and the grant of his human name was almost forgiven.
Kwesi ' s greatest test came when the family acquired a small grey kitted called Smokey. The two animals were introduced to one another with much caution as Kwesi could have swallowed his new playmate in one gulp. However the two animals soon became the best of friends. Smokey never grew much beyond kitten size and the sight of her lying on Kwesi ' s side with both animals fast asleep was a source of wonder to all who beheld them. They went out to the garden together and the sound of Smokey ' s re - entry through the cat flap was always accompanied by Kwesi ' s scratch on the front door.
All good things come to an end and one day Smokey failed to return home. She was unlikely to have been the victim of human predators and more likely to have been taken by a snake or a bird of prey. Kwesi lived on alone for several years before falling victim to poisoning. It was never ascertained whether the poison was administered by a venomous snake or whether he had eaten poisoned food intended for rats. He was laid to rest with due solemnity under trees that he had often anointed, and his resting place was marked by a simple board engraved ' Kwesi. '
