Paula Lindo – Our histories, stories, present, future.

The initiative “Painting, Pets and Pizza” aims to raise funds towards neutering/spaying stray dogs in Tobago. The project was conceived by author Elspeth Duncan and will be carried out in conjunction with Pizzeria Il Pomodoro in Crown Point, Tobago.

Duncan runs the “Venus Doggess of Love” Facebook page, which chronicles the adventures of her dog Venus and the other animals that stay with them due to being rescued or fostered. She said the page also aims to educate people about caring for animals and create a friendly online meeting place for animal lovers.
Duncan said the strays in Tobago are a visible part of the landscape, especially on the beaches. She said tourists tend to fall in love with them and take them back to their homes, but others are starved, drowned, run over or abandoned. “Some people also don’t know about spaying/neutering or, if they do, they don’t believe in it, as they feel the animal should be allowed to mate and have babies. Spaying/neutering is also expensive, so even if the average person wanted to spay/neuter, they would probably give other aspects of their life the financial priority. Spaying and neutering the street animals will reduce the population. Then the focus can be shifted to adoption, so that the animals are ‘taken off the streets’ in a humane way, with hope for their future.”
Duncan said the idea for the project occurred to her when she realized the cardboard boxes from Pizzeria Il Pomodoro looked like blank canvases. She reached out to the husband and wife owners, who liked the idea. “I envisioned art pieces on them, displayed on the wall of the pizzeria, which is a very charming, intimate venue. I approached a few artists, who generously created art for the cause without expectation of payment. The paintings are 10 inches by 10 inches, a little smaller than the size of the carboard box and are therefore small enough to be easily shipped abroad, should anyone wish to purchase from elsewhere. Most people may just want to donate to the cause.” She said the spaying/neutering will be carried out by a local organization, Pro Animal Welfare Solutions (PAWS), through an arrangement they have with the TTSPCA Tobago shelter.
Pizzeria Il Pomodoro co-owner Rae Joseph said the overabundance of strays is a problem in Tobago. “Nobody likes to see animals that are neglected, lacking the care, food and healthcare they need, and animals like cats and dogs thrive with human care and contact, so hopefully this initiative can alleviate some of those issues.” She said the project will also bring awareness to the restaurant, which was opened last year and has had a positive response from the community so far.
The four artists who have responded to the call for paintings so far are Shalini Seereeram, Neala Luna, Abigail Sabeeney and Edward Montserin. Seereeram said she didn’t hesitate to donate a painting as she has always been an animal advocate. “I would not hesitate at all when it comes to helping animals. People always have a say in what they could do or not do, but animals don’t really have that say. I would encourage anybody to do it, to pay it forward towards an animal. I also got my painting sold for Elspeth and the money from that can help three to four dogs and hopefully they can find homes as well.”
Luna said she hopes the initiative will bring attention to the need to spay/neuter animals and highlight the ways that communities can help. She said she was drawn to the initiative because of the love and compassion her sister has shown for her adopted pets over the years. “I’ve recently fallen in love with watercolour painting and since I’m unable to give animals a home, saw this project as a way that I could to do my part. I submitted three pieces, one abstract and two watercolour paintings featuring children and their pets. I wanted to illustrate companionship, love and looking forward to a hopeful future. I believe the initiative will continue, leaving the way open for other artists to offer paintings, and for more people in our communities to support.”
Duncan said she wants to keep the project running for as long as possible, once artists continue to donate. For this initiative, the artwork will be available for viewing in the pizzeria on January 27 from 3 pm until 10 pm, where members of the public can purchase them. Select pieces will also be featured in a special photo gallery on Venus Doggess of Love’s Facebook page.
For more information, visit or message the Venus Doggess of Love Facebook page.