Saturday, December 23, 2017

a series of mostly unfortunate events

Dark times since the last update. A miserable end to a difficult year. 
While still coming to terms with the death of Twiggy, Frankie died from what we believe was a snake bite. We were with her until the end and did what we could. She was a sweetheart who adored people. 
I rarely take photos when a dog is unwell, except to send to the vet
I do however have pictures of the puppies.











 
The photos are roughly in chronological order. After at least a week in quarantine the puppies got to meet everyone. Otto was one of the first to say hello. I suspect their mom looked like him because they all tried to nurse. 
Herbie and Otto, early August.

















Evo and Hugo in front of Jojo and Dulce.

















Reina and Peanut were fascinated with Eddie the rooster. Unfortunately, days after this shot, larger dogs managed to breach the enclosure and put a swift and violent end to Eddie. Sorry Eddie. I miss you.

















Dogs found this guy in the yard at the end of September. Everyone involved was shocked. He spent a few days with us and our vet found a home for him. 












He was the star of the show while he was here, Luna and Frida were transfixed. It was a welcome distraction for Luna.

















She was diagnosed with the same condition as her recently deceased sister Twiggy, and had a similarly rapid decline and demise. I'm worn down, we haven't been able to mourn for one before another is gone.














 


The puppies' skin and stomach problems were clearing up so they could finally be vaccinated to be rehomed. We had someone interested in 2 when 3 more stray pups turned up who took their place.  
The 9 little rascals continue to grow. We call this guy Wombat.












Already bone tired and sad, I got the news that my dad was in hospital. I left as soon as I could and he died before I arrived. I spent a week in the US and Sean was alone with all the dogs. It wasn't easy for either of us. 
The puppies have been one of the few bright spots.

















Well-named Dulcita in early October. In the background, Peanut is nearly as big as Brooklyn. We had Brooklyn spayed, and a tumor removed from Zoot but other things had to be postponed. Elewah was diagnosed with heart worm and the treatment is expensive and time sensitive.

















A moment with Herbie, Peaches and Reina before the bad news worsens.

















Sean's mom was murdered, there are no words or answers.
His brother was arrested, which is preposterous.
I've been submerging myself in puppies as a buffer to this world.












Greatful for 20 years with Zasu -and Sean.

















Mid-November and it's getting difficult to tell the puppies from the rest.
Xmul insists she is a puppy. She'll soon be leaving us for a few months.

















Nico is plagued by health problems but is so silly and joyful. 
I hope I deserve the way she looks at me.
Herbie in my lap (end of November).












We intend to hold the next sterilization clinic in January.  
More work than hours in the day to keep us occupied until then.  
Sean works while dogs rest (Peaches foreground).






Wednesday, August 2, 2017

puppy tsunami

The last weekend of July was 111F (44C) and someone dumped a big batch of puppies near our house. 5 boys and 4 girls. 
We're going to need homes, donations and moral support!












Sean spotted them scattered in the underbrush along the road. 
It was mid day and I can't express how hot it was while we were doing this.  
5 in the the first batch.

















Two more. They are panting and we are drenched. 
At this point we thought there was either one more or we had them all.

















After a brief cool down period and a change of clothes, a final foray turned up 2 more. 
This is the face of despair.

















Getting them settled took up most of the weekend. 
They've been wormed, deloused and cuddled.












Sunday was bath day for super stinky puppies. 
 #1 
 girl, black w/white

















(now named Ramona)

#2
girl, brown w/black

















(now called Nina)


#3
boy, black w/brown &white

















(named Evo)

#4
girl, white w/black & brown

















(now called Peaches)

#5 
boy, white w/black

















(this is Herbie)


#6
 boy, browns w/white

















(Wombat!)

#7
girl, white w/black (longer coat?)

















(we call her Reina)

#8
boy, white w/brown

















(now answers to Peanut)

#9
(shy)boy, brown w/black

















(his name is now Hugo)


Zasu has seen many new puppy baths but is always interested
I told her it was too hot but she insisted we needed supervision.
Frida's diaper hangs above us like a flag.











Thursday, July 20, 2017

lost and found

New life in the palm tree.
Two chicks, days before they left their impressively engineered nest.












One less friend. Our Twiggy was suffering from multiple health problems and had a rapid decline. This is one of the last pictures of her, fittingly between her sister/rival Xmul, and Xasu who helped raise them both.

















JoJo, Rose and Rocky have been spayed, cones are off, and stitches are out.  Not a moment too soon for us; they were dangerous with those things on!












Rose is as big as Xmul now. All 3 of them are.












Xmul, Zasu, June, Murci and Tuesday. Zasu helped raise them all. 
She's 20 years old and always in the middle of things.

















Excited faces...what could it be? Zasu knows.












Sean found her along the road by herself. She wasn't from any of the nearby houses and she nearly climbed into the Jeep on her own.












1st bath (and an undeniable resemblance to Twiggy).

















We're calling her Brooklyn.












Big ears and markings like Twiggy, but not the ornery temperament. We were hoping for a break from the constant influx of dogs (and eventual spayings) but she has made sure we don't regret it by being an absolute sweetheart and the least trouble a puppy can be.

















 
Look at those long legs -she may end up Twiggy-sized. $o much dog food!


















Rocky was her size a few months ago











 
She and the older pups play all day and half the night, with the occasional nap.
















 
Brooklyn tries to get Monkey to join in... Monkey is not having it.














Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Frida and friends

Rocky and Rose take a break after a whirlwind of destruction












This is Rocky's bath at the end of April

















this is early February

















All clean pups must immediately wrestle or roll in filth, it is dog law











 
Our girl Frida is doing well, in or out of her wheelchair. 
She has a few behavioral issues but she is making progress.
Sean, Frida, Perl and Linda head to the beach












From a recent walk
 

Same walk. Get out of her way
 

Frida loves the water
She gets an enthusiastic welcome after an outing
The puppies love her
She thinks they're fun too. 
Check out her leg sweep technique











 
3 part action sequence of Frida on the move











 
airborne

 there's no stopping her
She has many friends and Molly is one of her favorites