2020 thus far

Apparently I post annually now, which means there is a lot to cover. 

The year did not begin easily. We said good-bye to our friend Gracie on January 2, 2020. With us since 2007, she was a great friend and big part of our lives. 

Gracie's last day, spent in the sunshine with Wombat at her side

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On February 14th we said goodbye to our Zasu. After more than 22 years together I may never grow accustomed to her absence. 

100s of photos to choose from, this one from a few years ago suits her

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two of Gracie's daughters

Bean 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Blue (airborne)

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

...succumbed to their particular ailments soon after their Mom 

(Feb. 28 and March 25).

 

We had a few months before Ernie, who had been suffering from a neurological problem, had his final trip to the vet on July 11. 

Even when getting around was becoming difficult for him, he liked to be in the middle of the action

Tupo, Evo, Ernie Ruby and Rose

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An old favorite of Ernie, flanked by Archie and Otto

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many happy years with Ernie, Gracie, Bean, Blue and Zasu, too many to do them justice with a blog post. All brilliant, loving, vibrant dogs! The weight of their loss is crushing, but I'm glad to have known them and contributed to their lives. 

 

At the end of December we took in a puppy that was doing poorly. 

We named her Clementine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Lenny (still one of her best pals), Zasu and Biscuit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clementine and gang in January

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spayed and thriving, Clementine and Lenny in August

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In February a stray had puppies in the bushes near our house

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sean kept her well fed and found homes for her pups. She took up residence under our Jeep until he took her to be spayed. Unfortunately she was diagnosed with an advanced case of heart worm and had to be euthanized. She was a nice dog, we were sad we couldn't do more. 

Since then another pair of dogs have made themselves at home under the Jeep; we call them Belle and Loverboy.  This time our intervention came before puppies. 

The pandemic has compounded the time and stress of taking dogs to the vet. We're hoping, more than ever, that someone doesn't poison them. 

One of Clementine's litter mates took to spending time with the sterilized callejeros, so at the end of September we had her spayed as well. 

Rhubarb (pre-naming) escorts Sean on a swim

 

 

 

 

 

 

She made it clear she'd rather be inside than outside of the yard by chewing a hole through the fence, into the area where we kept her after surgery.

She's wonderful- with big paws and a stubby tail (you'll have to take my word on the tail until i get a better picture)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few pictures of Xmul for everyone who misses her:

with Pete

 

digging holes with her pals Reina and Willy

 

under the neem tree with Reina and Ramona

 

shots of some of the rest of the crew:

Evo chasing insect shadows

 

he and Rocky do this all day, come sun

 

or rain

 

sister Rosie is not interested in their game

 

Herbie, Rosie and Willy, all curly-tailed dogs

 

 

sisters Bindy and Biscuit

 

Nico, Jojo, Peaches (foreground)

Evo on bug watch, Clementine and Boomer (rear)

 

 

 

 

Far above the doggie hijinx, warbler chicks on their last day in the nest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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).

winter solace

The last few months have been undeniably rough, flashes of joy and long stretches of grief. After weeks of medical intervention and hope, the deaths of Ginger and Reggie left me gutted. Still am but life trudges on. 
So many little faces, always plenty to do and something to be happy about. Some mornings while I rake I can hear pelicans diving into the Gulf on one side and distant flamingos from the other.

Dulce showed up in November, young enough to still have a milk tooth. Here is her 1st bath photo. She has since been spayed during one of the many recent vet visits.

Ruby is just about a year old. She's clever, beautiful and has a bit of a temper!
 
















Ruby's adorable sister Perl has an under bite, hip dysplasia, suspect vision and a sunny disposition. Tupo is nearly 2 (!) and likes them both.

We've had a few cold fronts and it's great to get a break from the heat. Not everyone agrees, Elewah does not like the cold.

February started with 3 puppies dumped at our gate, predictably all girls. I'm not happy about it, but it's hard to be quite as sad with puppies around. 
As of then unnamed pup with Dulce.

They were a little thin, mangy and wormy, but overall in decent shape. One fawn colored and two light colored pups.

This is JoJo (Calderwoof) and her 1st bath photo.

This is Rose (Namapoonas) and her 1st bath. I know it has become a tradition but pup 3 looks pretty much just like this. Trust me they all got a bath.

clean and tired

Nico (in the hammock) is at the mercy of her weak immune system and Greta (gazing at the puppies) had ear surgery for what I guess you'd call cauliflower ear. Recovery is gruesome but seems to be going ok. It is always something, but hopefully there are no more medical dramas on the horizon.

 
All 3 have put on weight. Rose, Rocky (Puppington) and JoJo say life is good.

(Almost) everybody loves puppies.
Ruby and Steve watch JoJo chew on Rocky.