Craig there is absolutely no crime wave in Aruba. This is one of the safest places you can travel to. I have been there 3 times and absolutely love it. My 3 boys now ages 17, 15 and 13 have gone all 3 times with us and I feel very safe with them going off on their own. There has recently been one incident of Natalee Holloway but she was not snatched off the streets. She went with 3 boys she thought she knew after 3 days. Please, go to Aruba and enjoy yourselves. As for the strays....They are everywhere. I didn't see any around the hotels but in the town you may see some. I recently went to Jamaica and there are strays all over. Someone hit a large dog and it layed in the road for 3 days. I did see a few cats in the walkway of the Hyatt but like I said this goes on everywhere. I think you picked an absolutely great island to start off your married years together. Aruba is "One Happy Island" and it will always remain that way. Arubians are the kind, caring and very giving don't let what a few negative people wrote bring you down. Go have fun and make your own judgement!