Godzilla has left the building

The post titled Crime Wave from a few years ago is regularly found by people searching for information on crime in Celestun. For that reason I'll mention that there have been a spate of house robberies- from what I gather the targets generally are unoccupied beach houses. A few nights ago the house nearest to us was robbed. Big TVs are a popular target. As we have no tv and MANY dogs I doubt we are of much interest to thieves, but this may be a concern for others.

Recently our sweet Godzilla, the biggest and furriest of Gracie's pups, died. It was a complete surprise, as she had been in good spirits and showing no symptoms of any of any health problems. Dra. Sandra suspects a heart attack. We'll never really know, but we were privileged to know her for the entirety of her life.Young Zilla running with her sister Eve.

 

She was a robust and happy girl with no love lost for cats, and we'll miss her.
Morning walk flanked by Bette and Tito.

On the topic of cats, Mama cat Sugar hasn't been seen for few weeks and I fear the worst. Her daughter Minya has made dog harassment her focus.

This time of year has many milestones for us. One year since the first clinic. Most of the street dogs that were neutered and released are still doing well and a couple have found themselves homes! The next one is scheduled for May 8th May 15th.

It has been 5 years since the arrival of Xmul, Twiggy, Luna and Mo, 6 since Monkey, and 7 for Maggie and April.  
We're combating an outbreak of kennel cough, exactly 4 years since the last (and 1st) time. With better luck and more knowledge, we seem to have limited it to only a few dogs.
My little muse Nico is still suffering from a fungal problem -despite daily rinses, medication and immune boosters.












Her spirits remain high. Playing with her sister Coco.

Leading the charge to me.

She makes me laugh!

Thanks for raking.

Girl group pose after dinner.

My big guy Reggie has a tumor that may need to be surgically removed. 
Hazel and Cookie give Reggie love.

















Beautiful Archie has been having hip problems, but he's still our #1 watchdog!

















Some sad milestones are fast approaching, but I try to focus on the happy faces in front of me...these for example.

Cookie and Eggs

This little angel was wandering alone at the market, apparently waiting for the arrival of the strange bearded man she had heard tales of from the other strays.
She's in better health than many that have ended up here, just the usual fleas/ticks and a spot of mange on her face. 

Reggie checks out the new puppy smell.

Lap nap with an audience. Tori's face says it all.

The traditional 1st bath photo.

We're calling her Cookie.

Cookie and Linda are already buddies.

You're it!

You're mine!

This hummingbird built a nest just above the doggy chaos.

She laid her 1st egg on Valentine's day. Thanks to worldofhummingbirds I learned she would likely lay one more the next day.

She did!

The Long Rain

"The rain continued. It was a hard rain, a perpetual rain, a sweating and steaming rain; it was a mizzle, a downpour, a fountain, a whipping at the eyes, an undertow at the ankles; it was a rain to drown all rains and the memory of rains." 
Ok, it hasn't really been that bad, I just loved Ray Bradbury as a kid!
No hurricanes or typhoons so I've got little to complain about.
A big mantis suns on the clothesline. 

Helpxer Martina stayed and helped out for a few weeks.  A thoroughly uncomfortable season to visit, but Linda and Stella are always happy to have a new friend! 
Because of  Martina chatting with a few soldiers at the base near us, we were able to have a dog that lives there spayed.  Unsurprisingly, she also had Ehrlichiosis.  Fortunately, one of the soldiers agreed to give her the necessary antibiotics everyday for 3 weeks.  Hurray, she is now healthy and infertile!  Thanks Martina, for everything!
Also, thanks to the people who have donated, through Martina as well as online.  Funds went towards a spaying, antibiotics and a new large bottle of Ivermectin.  Enough for hundreds of injections!

Crazy-eyed Pete claims a toy Martina brought.  

Good girls coming home on a morning walk -everybody cross the road together.

The destructo-duo of Hazel and Murci, best friends and partners in crime.

Hazel plays with her Zogoflex.
I can't say enough good things about their products! 
Most toys don't survive a week, but the Zogoflex toys are still fine nearly 2 years later ...and they float ...and are made of recycled materials! 

Siblings Reggie and Tuesday nap under my chair.

An injured young cormorant came to our gate a few days ago.  It couldn't fly and seemed to calmly be asking for assistance.  This is why it bothers me when people speed by in their vehicles.  It's a beach road, there is a lot of wildlife!  Slow down! 

The bird wasn't thrilled about having to go into a crate, but Sean insisted then took it to Semarnat to be treated and released.

This darling mamacita is always hanging around near our house.  We've grown very fond of her!  We've treated her for ticks/fleas and given her an injection of birth control.  It should keep her from getting pregnant for 6 months to a year; the poor girl needs a break!  Over the couple of years we've known her, she is usually pregnant or trailing puppies.

She's a great little dog. I'm guessing that she's 3 or 4. We would love to find her a loving home!

Nice dogs, nice light, random shot.
Too many to name, Hazel in front.

Insult & injury

September has come and gone, indistinguishable from August.
Murci walks in the lead with Bette and Linda.

Linda watches a distant flamingo.  Murci only has eyes for Bette.

Bette is her favorite walk buddy. 

Around a salt pile,
R-L Bette, Murci, Linda and Monkey.

As you may know, we are trying to re-purpose a nearby property.  Every improvement we've made to the place has been swiftly followed by vandalism/theft. One of  2 new doors was busted within days of installation -despite the fact that there is nothing inside to steal!  This, in addition to a stolen post hole digger, shed door, and concrete fence posts, as well as the repeated cutting of the fence, has left us both frustrated and uncertain if we want to continue putting resources into this project. 

Someone put some effort into getting the storage room open!
It houses nothing but bags of bottles and cans for future construction projects.

On Friday the 13th I discovered the beach gate hadn't been properly latched; it was brought to my attention by the gleefully raucous departure of many dogs, who then enjoyed an unauthorized run up the beach.
(http://dogonomicon.blogspot.com/2013/09/130913.html)
During my attempt to round them all up, I kicked/tripped over a block of concrete, hurt my foot and put myself out of commission for a few weeks.
I've recovered enough to go on walks again.  Murci is a little bigger and much sturdier, but she's going to be on the small side.
Murci, Bette, Archie and Monkey

Anywhere Bette goes, Murci is soon to follow.

Back at home:
Xmul watches...

Lex and Zoot fly by

...and she cuts them off at the pass!

Xmul is the winner!

Aside from mad dashes under the neem tree, everyone plays in the shade.
foreground: Daisy, Xmul, Murci and Lex

Happy dogs: Luna, Otto (digging a hole), Murci (attacking Otto), Daisy (smiling), Reggie (my angel) and Tori (Now that the sun damage has grown out, her coat is beautiful!) ...
with Elewah (digging a hole) and Amber in back.
On a related note, I fall down a lot; holes under the clothesline are the worst!