Isle of Dogs
For most people, Bali is the Island of the Gods. For others, it leans more toward the Island of Lust. Those were the two versions of Bali I carried in my head for years. And after finally going there, I can say… yeah, both are true to some extent.
But after finally visiting Bali for the first time in my life, after 30 years of somehow never making it there, I walked away with a completely different impression.
To me, Bali is also the island of dogs.
Dogs feel like an inseparable part of daily life there. From what I understand, that connection goes way back. Historically, dogs weren’t just pets in Balinese culture, they were companions, protectors, part of the household in a very real sense. There’s even a native breed, the Kintamani dog, which says a lot about how deep that relationship runs.
And it doesn’t feel like that bond has faded.
You see dogs everywhere in Bali. Not in a chaotic or overwhelming way, just… present. Some roam freely without owners, some wear collars, some walk alongside their humans like they’ve got their own routines to follow. They exist in that in-between space where they’re not entirely stray, but not fully kept inside homes either. They just… belong here.
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Honestly, it made me really happy.
I’ve always had a soft spot for dogs, so being surrounded by them like that felt oddly comforting. It even influenced where I stayed. I picked a place partly because the owners had four dogs, which, in hindsight, says a lot about my priorities.
There was this constant urge to pet every dog I came across. Every. Single. One. But, you can’t just do that, especially with strays. Bali still deals with a high number of rabies cases, and it’s not something you can ignore.
So I did what I think is a very rational, totally justified solution.
I bribed them with treats.
Yes, I actually spent money on dog treats just so I could pet as many dogs as possible. And you know what? It worked. Well… sometimes.
Because not all dogs are immediately friendly. Some are shy, some are cautious, and some just look at you like, “nah, not today.” Fair enough. But when it does work, when a dog finally comes close, lets you pet them, maybe even wags their tail a little… man, that feeling is hard to beat. It’s such a small moment, but it sticks with you.
Now I’m already thinking ahead. If I ever come back to Bali again (and I really hope I do), I need to come prepared. Better treats, maybe. A smarter strategy.
