Man shares home with rooster, dog, crab ... Says creatures are part of his ‘family’
They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but so, too, can be a rooster and a crab. Just ask Oneil Thomas, and he will proudly show off his dog called ‘Instagram’, as well as ‘Jah Rooster’ and ‘Jah Crab’, who all have their own little space at his dwelling on Sixth Street in Cockburn Gardens.
Upon seeing the news team, Instagram quickly huddled close to his master’s side, who was sitting outside his one-room home that was built almost on the sidewalk.
Thomas’ love for the visual arts is evident as there are numerous sketches on the board structure of his home.
“This is my business place and home in one. I used to sell plastic bottles, but now I sell old iron and scrap metal because more money is in it. I don’t teef anyting from anyone. I just walk and pick the tings from outside their rubbish and use it make my money,” he said.
The 55-year-old Rastafarian spent most of his life in the Kingston 11 community but said that he was asked to leave his mother’s home a few years ago.
After falling on hard times, Thomas said that he did not allow his spirit to be broken. Instead, he built his home and decided to ‘adopt’ a new ‘family’.
“I am a loner. Mi nuh inna the company ting, so my family is the animals I have here. A good likkle while mi live here so, and mi happy. This is my likkle spot until Babylon come move mi. Because the house is at the corner of the street, mi used to worry say vehicle may run in it, but mi nuh do that again because mi is a light sleeper. Mi sleep with one eye open at all times,” he said.
Thomas’ home is also fruitful and electrifying as an ackee tree and utility pole protrude through his roof.
Reflecting on his way of living, the Rastaman said he is content with his life, stating that the only thing he hopes for is a regular job.
“Nobody never try interfere with mi because mi a nuh wrongdoer. Mi is not a problem to JPS (Jamaica Public Service) because although the light post in my home, mi leave enough space so dem can do dem work if them want. Mi take likkle a dem light, but mi nuh use much ’cause mi nuh have no big equipment a use on it. Mi happy, and mi is not a mad person. I’m just living for myself, Instagram, Jah Rooster and Jah Crab,” he said while sketching the face of a female.