Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
It was a first for us this week in Bahrain; we were invited out on a dog’s beach play date.
I had no idea that there was such a beach open to dog owners and their fur babies on the island. So, it was with great enthusiasm, early one morning that I headed out with our water-loving Labrador to meet our new friends for a swim.
Feeling pleased with myself at managing to follow the directions given, we parked up and Tara, our dog, bounded out of the car before I could gather her dog bribes (treats), poo bags and water bottle.
Instantly, I could clearly see that Tara was in doggy heaven as she splashed in and out of the sea, rolled around in the sand and gleefully introduced herself to her fellow beach buddies. Meanwhile, us dog owners were bonding and already arranging future soirees – what a wonderful way to meet people!
Our play date was tinged with a little sadness though; as we came across piles of washed up empty plastic oil bottles, dumped rubbish bags, rotten food and junk. Why would anyone do this to the environment they live in? Why is this allowed to happen?
The previous day I recalled seeing a photograph published of hundreds of children in Bahrain releasing plastic flowerpots into the sea as a Bahraini tradition, organised by the Northern Governorate. I learned via the wonderful Bahrain Beachcombers Facebook Page that traditionally they should be using biodegradable palm leaf pots.
I can’t help but wonder if the Northern Governorate will now be organising a beach clean-up to collect the hundreds of washed up PLASTIC flower pots?
