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).

puppy tsunami

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.