Puerto Rico Beaches Island Dogs

Let's face it, if you come to a Caribbean Island you are going to see some free ranging dogs.
Would you prefer to healthy, vaccinated dogs wearing government coded collars or skinny, mangy mutts?
Peurto Rican people can be counted on to feed the dogs if their numbers don't overwhelm them.
These dogs are cool animals. Cheryl, a good friend of mine from Illinois told a story of the dogs in Nevada being the same no nonsense attitude as the people she encountered. Dogs seem to same the same spirit as the people. How often, do we say such and such dog is just like------!
Cheryl asked if I thought that the dogs' temperament was reflective of the easy going, fun loving island people. Hmm, she hit the nail on the head.

Some beaches in the overcrowded end of the island have dogs that look miserable. These are the dogs which will cause you to cry. Donations to groups like www.amigosdelosanimalespr.org/ will rescue dogs from deplorable conditions.
Elsewhere on the island hard working veterinarians, like Dr. Gwen Davis of the Pet Vet in Isabela are working full time to neuter animals. Her hard work must be paying off.
When you go to the beaches on the northwest end of the island, there is usually only a couple of dogs here or there. It's fun to make friends with the dogs when there's a couple to a few at most.
If you pick up a bag of food on your way to the beach, you will be doing an honest good deed for the day. :) It's a Puerto Rican tradition, since man and dog came here.
Don't be surprised if a beach king ignores your offering. Good dog loving islanders take leftovers to the beach after dinner. They visit enjoying the some of the most beautiful coast in the world, while feeding their beloved "Satos".
If you fall in love, I feel a song coming on; forgive me!
That's better, if you fall in love Dr. Davis can get your new friend ready for travel. That lady wants nothing more than the island dogs finding a good forever home.
Personally, I love the island and I love the dogs. I am a dog lover! Te amo Boricua!

Puerto Rican Dogs

This island is filled to its eyeballs with dogs. Most everybody has multiple dogs in their yards. Frequently you'll see street dogs sleeping in front of gates, hoping to be invited in.

The pitiful ones tear your heart out, sad to say there's too many of those. Lucy, the black and white terrier border collie cross was a delight to meet when we stopped in the park to eat on the way home from the adoption event. 

If it weren't for the large numbers and lack of care, dog lovers might enjoy meeting these intelligent sweet tempered animals living the way people have historically lived with dogs. 

People travel to see animals; tourists go to Athens to see the dogs. Heck, I want to go to Russia to see the dogs taking the trains. 

Anyway the dogs here are not taken care of like the Athens dogs; there's no sterilization program. Some dedicated veterinarians like Dr Gwen Davis of the Pet Vet in Isabela do low cost neutering.

Today I helped PAWS, Puerto Rican Animal Welfare Society, with an adoption day at the Isabela Mall. Hard times have come to the island. People don't smile as readily as they did a few years ago.

These are some dog loving people. They tell me how many they have and give the cute little pups a wistful look. I feel I am asking octomom, if she'd like to adopt. Puppies were adopted the PAWS volunteers Evelyn and Mercedes did a great job.

People and children held puppies, talked and laughed; it was a good day.