entropee

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! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

summer has come early

We've already had multiple days over 100f /38c! High temperatures and no rain have made for more pleasant, mosquito-free walks -as long as you go early enough that your brain doesn't melt. PuppyG has boundless enthusiasm! I'm no great fan of mornings, but I love the company.

Zasu, PuppyG, Blue and Molly.

Sisters Blue and Eve.

I managed to document myself tripping while taking a picture behind me.

Morning walk with 9 furry little angels.

Quick dip in a salt pond.

Ziggy always finds the muddiest spot.

Ziggy, PupG and Bette.

It has been a while since we've hosted Couchsurfers/helpxers.
1000 thanks to PO and Julie; because of you this was a productive month, despite the heat. It was great getting to know you both and we appreciate your help!
You're welcome anytime.

They were here for Maggie and April's 6th anniversary with us.
April really liked PO!

Bette and Shirley claimed Julie.

Julie's lap was a popular spot!

Now to organize and fund raise for the next sterilization clinic!  May is for spays and there is a lot of work to do! Outreach, networking and social media are not an easy fit for a bona fide recluse like me, but I'm trying.

New year, new plan.

This new year did not come to me with its customary flash of optimism.  
It is still raining.  Almost daily.  This has increased the difficulty of keeping so many dogs in a small space tenfold.  Poop raking has become a serious strength and conditioning routine!  That is a good thing, I suppose, as I have been feeling puny after an injury laden year.  This weather has been great for the spiny grass (xmul).  It has been making walks miserable, especially for the shaggy dogs (and me, the designated xmul-remover).

Sisters Blue and Eve wait for the rain to pass.

I may finally have to break down and import a case of Natures Miracle pee odor remover -damn the price!   Except that as of this month, pet food is to be taxed.  That is going to hurt!  We go through about 100 lbs of kibble a week.

Archie enjoys some morning sun.

More beach houses are going up and we are feeling hemmed in.  With no prospects of compatible volunteers on the horizon (we've temporarily removed our Helpx profile), we have little hope of making much progress at the alternative site.  We need a plan.
Land prices on the coast are currently outrageous, so it's unfeasible to consider adding on to our existing lot.  The same money it would cost to widen our lot by 9 meters could buy us hectares a few miles inland.  We are doing our best to save to buy land.  At least, being vegan in the Yucatan makes it easy to save on eating out!  We've literally eaten out once in the past 2 years.

Sweet, strange Greta wants a belly rub.

Amber makes the most of the 1st sunny day in weeks.

Hazel digs a hole while Amber jumps through the sand she kicks up.

Amber pauses. 

PuppyG supervises Merci's hole digging technique.













Amber and PuppyG play.
 











PuppyG and Merci.

Spot (the cat) will be 18 this month! 
 

The sweet little black and white stray is now a being called Roxy -because she's extremely nice and very brave, just like Roxanne Modafferi!  I hope she shares the same fighting spirit, as she has been diagnosed with Ehrlichiosis and late stage heartworms.  We've begun treatment and it has been unsurprisingly tough on her.  There is no guarantee that she'll recover, but at least she's inside, out of the cold and wet. 

Roxy (who is obviously good with other dogs and cats) and overlord Spot.  When her treatments are finished, we'd love to find her a home of her own. 

'Cold' weather means more dogs love hammocks.  

A tired me, ready to watch a movie -note my Elewah pillow.  

Full crew in my hammock...

and under it.

Stella can jump in on her own, but Tuesday prefers to be helped.  

This is how she asks for a boost.