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).
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.
Wednesday, April 27, the Kinchil firemen that come to Celestun to fill cisterns brought a puppy they found at the remote cenote (where they fill the truck). They saw 2 puppies but one ran off.
She was ridiculously infested with fleas and has a broken tail but is fine.
Looking much better after a bath and intensive flea removal.
She has a great temperament and settled in immediately.
We're calling her Pearl(a). Or Perl.
Her broken tail is adorable.
As are her tiny paws.
Perl under Xmul, for scale.
Sean considers learning to juggle. Tito is not amused.
Twelve days after Pearl, May 9th, look what the bomberos found!
(She immediately pooped on Sean!)
Poor baby, all alone for nearly 2 weeks!
After her delousing, I may need one.
She's full of worms but otherwise surprisingly fit.
Say hello to my little friend.
We're trying out Ruby for a name. She's a bit bigger than her sister. Murci says hello.
It has been too long since I've updated. So much to cover!
Nov 16, 2015 Tupo arrives. He was the runt of the mosquito shack litter.
Cookie again proves herself to be a patient big sister.
No one else wanted the little guy and we were worried he wasn't eating enough, with so much competition. Tupo means something like runt in Mayan. Closer to 'the last little bit'.
The traditional 1st bath photo.
A quiet pause after a long day.
Tupo naps on a beard pillow.
Zoila shows Tupo how to dig a hole.
Big sisters are the best! Cookie wrestles with Tupo.
December 1st we brought in Coco, the 2nd smallest of the litter.
She was a little skinny and had a sore leg, but was otherwise fine.
Cookie makes Coco's acquaintance.
First bath for Coco.
She had enough dirt in her ears to grow a plant.
Coco and Hazel meet.
Coco checks out the yard.
She is calm and sensible (and pretty) like her mother Sola.
Monkey is recovering from surgery to remove bladder stones.
She's doing great now, but needs to be on the same expensive diet as Maggie. Apparently the little white shaggy dogs are prone to it.
Otto, Monkey and Tupo.
Monkey poses with the stones Dra Sandra removed.
Just to keep things interesting, we had company over the holidays.
Sweet Xmul was here and Kiki's 2 dogs stayed for a few days.
PupG kisses Xmul and Zoila hangs out with her new little buddy, Chiquita.
Group shot with Zoila and sister Junebug in surgical collars.
They have both been spayed and recovered beautifully.
Siblings Coco and Tupo nap on Sean.
December 12th, not quite 2 weeks after Coco's arrival, Sean brought the last unplaced pup home. She's bigger than her siblings and shyer.
We call her Nico.
Nico's 1st bath. Mega and Steve say hello.
She has a skin problem that we had diagnosed at the clinic on Sunday!
Dozens were treated and/or vaccinated (5 in 1), one dog had to be put down, and they managed to neuter 2 -despite not planning to preform surgeries this time! Pretty good considering we were thinking of canceling it.
Nico is all legs and paws! Her dad must be Ringo and he's a big boy!
