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).
It's been hard to find a rhythm again without Tori.
I remind myself we've been lucky to have known so many of our friends for many years.
April may be adorable but she's a warrior.
Matriarch Zasu is the epitome of aging gracefully.
Henry has been with us since the beginning.
He and Xmul at sunset.
Xmul and Mo have been friends since they were puppies.
We planted a pineapple top back then and it finally bore fruit! 4 years for one little pineapple! It was really good though!
Our sweet nervous Bosha has gone back to be with her original person. She had been unable to care for her 4 years ago, but things have changed and she wanted her back. Bosha loves her and we knew she'd be happier in a calmer home. We'll keep an eye on her and make sure she stays up to date on her heart worm preventative.
Bosha heading to her new home.
Making the next clinic happen has been weighing heavily on me but I
seem to have been rendered inert by grief. Maintaining the dogs and
mustering enough enthusiasm to pacify them is all I've been able to
manage. We had hoped to have Cookie spayed then, but we couldn't wait
any longer. Many people with dogs here don't have the option of going to
a vet in the city. Another clinic is long overdue!
I can't set
the date until we've raised enough to cover costs; we aren't in a
position to cover a deficit at the moment. This time the vets will
be doing mostly females, increasing the amount of anesthesia needed -so
we need to raise at least 1200US to cover costs.
We are securing
a larger space this time around and Dra. Sandra will be bringing more
vets. The incoming mayor has voiced an interest in allocating funds for
future clinics. We hope that will happen and think that a good 'buzz'
surrounding this clinic will improve the chances that it will.
Cookie's surgery and recovery went perfectly.
If you've seen my Twitter feed (or you know us at all) you know we brought in the 2 puppies that were in a burrow down the lane.
Junebug the pup and Eddie the rooster regard each other.
Zoila spends some quality time with Monkey.
Zoila and Junebug like the beach!
They weren't so sure about the water.
We've finally started getting rain so everything is nice and green, and the mosquitoes haven't been too bad (yet). Some things don't change; hot days and early mornings are a constant, as is Stella's willfulness. She can't be trusted off the leash. Every time I forget, she reminds me!
Clever, lovely Stella.
There has been some progress at the beta site.
The fence posts are nearly in.
An all girl line-up on the stairs at home (t-b):
Lucy, Alice, Tuesday, Ginger, Twiggy, Monkey.
Bette and Ginger.
The rope on the railing is for Spot, the cat; the paint was too slippery for him.
Stella, Maggie, Chester, Lucy, Alice, Otto.
Elewah is in Merida today, having had to be re-spayed yesterday.
The van blew a head gasket on the way home. If we had a dollar for every time our vehicle failed us to or from the veterinarian's office, we could afford a better ride.
Sisters Twiggy and Mo (foreground) with Jack and his mother, Elewah.
Petey poses for his school photo.
Stella chose the Autumnal backdrop.
Neem trees don't love strong wind.
Windy nights make inside cozier.
Greta (and everyone else) loves Hazel!
She too was spayed yesterday and will be home today.
Action shot: Linda, Lex and Amber.
The 3 tenors: Ed, Pat and Paco.
Bette!
Group shot, an even dozen.
Daisy was deathly ill and had to spend almost a week a the vet's. All 4 of the younger puppies suffered briefly from the same thing, but responded to antibiotics. Because she had ehrlichiosis when she showed up a few weeks earlier her defenses were already weakened.
poor sick Daisy, just home from the vet's:
After a week of injections and antibiotics here at home she's still a little bag of bones, but her white cell count is up, she's getting stronger and she's starting to play; it looks like she'll be ok.
feeling a bit better:
The four lucky pups are doing fine...the 3 black pups:
and little fawn colored Xmul (found by Nicole and Marie):
have had a better start than most...
with walks in the mornings:
and 24 hour a day doting by Emily:
Elewah insists there is no resemblance:
and Miles is not impressed:
everyone else thinks they're swell,
especially Stella:
We've gone through a few names and settled on
Twiggy:
Luna:
and Mo:
Xmul likes to charge at the camera, so most of her pictures look like this:
Xmul napping with Alice:
The newest dog pen is a huge hit! It's the dog's favorite place to hang out (unless we want to shut the door, then it's awful!).
Some random puppy silliness:
Enough puppy news; here's our beautiful Monkey:
and sweet Molly:
Floyd has been showing some improvement in his behavior, although we still keep him sequestered from the other males (except for Ziggy, for some reason he has no problem with Ziggy.). He has complicated life here at the dog ranch, but isn't his fault.
He loves Stella most of all:
Oh, yeah...and because life is a sit-com...our chickens...are roosters
...and scene!
