I'll tell you friend, the last couple of years have been more difficult than I'm comfortable admitting. The shit and sadness have weighed me down.
We can't afford to be sick at the same time, or for a long time, so Covid has added a new layer to our isolation. At my strongest it's all I can do to battle the kangaroo-sized dust bunnies and keep the yard relatively feces free. A global pandemic is the latest in a long list of complications.
Good morning to and from these knuckleheads.
The year began with the loss of Osita on January 6th, a year after her mom Gracie and sister Blue. She was brilliant, funny and stubborn.
Last photo taken of her, resting with Otto.
A sunset with George.
Osita, Chester and Archie.
February 7 a tiny ferocious puppy found her way to our gate. She growled relentlessly when picked up and it took some time to win her over.
We named her Carter.
Newbie Carter reluctantly sitting on the swing.
Murci, Evo and Nina give her a sniff.
At that time Evo was not doing well and it turned out to be a problem with
his intestines. We tried everything, including surgery, but he faded
away. Two months of vet trips and sleepless nights, but he didn't
recover. He died on the 3rd of April. I don't have anything pithy or
meaningful to say, I just miss him. His antics in the
yard had been one of the bright spots of my days..
The last photo I have of him chasing insect shadows, his favorite pastime.
Foreground is Aggie and Lenny, with Len sporting shaved spots from heart worm treatment.
Final photo of Evo, sitting in the sun, looking thin.
We've had multiple cases of heart worm treated this year. That entails 3 trips to the vet -when there is money and medicine available. We try to keep them on Frontline, but can't always afford it or find enough. The Mexican veterinary supply chain is a mystery. On the bright side, the tax on pet food could end next year. That would be a welcome change, as the dogs go through 1100lbs (500kgs) of kibble a month.
Aggie (little shaggy abandoned in November) and Rocky (blue collar) were developing a fine friendship until it was spoiled by Rocky's mean streak. Aggie has not been open to overtures of reconciliation.
Rufus, our dear boy, passed away May 6th.
The day he arrived, Feb 2009.
Best pals until the end.
Rufus and his nephew Jack.
The last photo I took of him, surrounded by family in the sunshine.
Carter was spayed mid-July. She did her best to complicate things, but everything turned out fine.
Carter wearing the latest in bespoke post-surgery attire.
Aug 29th we said goodbye to Eve, another of Gracie's pups.
Eve (top step) and her papa Chester.
Eve with her sister Blue.
Blue and Eve.
September 9th we said goodbye to Alice, with us since 2007. She was Sean's steadfast pal and a bad ass. Her passing marks the end of an era.
Al with her sisters and Henry.
Hanging out with Osita.
Entertaining puppy Blue.
September 19th we lost Nico, one of the mosquito shack puppies. A truly joyful dog who had just turned 6. Severely immune-compromised, she wasn't expected to live as long as she did.
Always at my feet (sometimes frustratingly so), life is a little lonely without her.
The day she came home.
Half grown and starting to lose fur.
Walking with Bette.
Apoquel improved her quality of life, but it could only hold back the tide for so long.
Me, Nico and Agnes.
This was a long, heavy post and it's only October ...maybe next time I'll tell you a scary story ...ooooh ...about unsustainable development in an ecologically delicate 'protected' area... boo!
