Happy Island Home

Waking up in the morning looking out at the lake, listening to the birds’ morning, smelling the coffee wafting down the hall these are the little moments of contentment we treasure. The dark cradle of co-kee, co-kee and other night sounds rocks away the stress of the day. We love our home in Puerto Rico.

Happy people tucked up in an island hideaway. That’s us. Most days we don’t let Kirt’s amputation diminish that image. He works out with his weights, so he’s ready for the new leg. I think he sees the possibilities for his life. We want to drive around the island visiting the beaches and mountains, the charming plazas call our names. Some days I see optimism in his eyes, but not today.

Today he seems weak. There’s a lost look in his eyes I don’t like. His blood sugar is fine, so that’s not the concern. He’s fallen twice, slipped out of bed, which he hasn’t done before, so I worry. He fell last week, but had the strength to pull himself up, didn’t even call me. Today he could hardly get up even with my help.  Who will get him up, if I can’t? I feel isolated for the first time.

My Aunt Margaret says we made a mistake in coming here. We’re happy here is what I told her. She says we should be near family. We’ve never lived near family, so I don’t relate to that comment. We take care of ourselves, always have. The beauty of nature is an important part of our days. Aunt Marge says we should have a house in the shadow of a good hospital. She’s eighty-seven, of course, she’d think that way.

Last year we lived on the other side of the wall from a person who was very unhappy. Before long she began to share her misery. We couldn’t take it. We’re happy here.

After I got Kirt back in bed, I took the garbage out. The German Sheppard somebody dumped yesterday was standing in the road wagging his tail. He came up for a bowl of kibble. A big bull frog sat on the porch with uncomprehending eyes. It didn’t budge when Chi-Ping sniffed it. She went in the house, so the dog could eat without her growling.

Kirt’s snoring, needs his c-pap on, so I hook him up. Whatever we should do is in God’s hands, I’m not going to worry.  

Adventures in Paradise

A hen cackled, “I laid an egg. I laid an egg.” Funny, at the same time a rooster crowed. I wonder if the cock a doodle was, "I laid a hen. I laid a hen." The most minuscule brown birds swarmed the Royal Palm Tree near our front door. Once their nest was in that tree, perhaps they’ll build again; I hope. The sun stroked the tops of trees promising more to come.

About 8 am we were sitting in the living room having a cup of coffee, enjoying a slow start to the day. After being out all night the dogs jumped up from a dead sleep. When dogs bark low in a certain tone and growl, it’s human and close; if the growl turns into a growly whine, we like the person, so we knew it was our friend and neighbor, Geri coming up the driveway.

“Good morning,” he said in English with a big smile on his face. “Buenas dias,” we replied.  Geri held up a big bag of yams, smiled, as he told the story of how he came upon this treasure while cleaning his land. The words in Spanish flew past the little window to my brain before I could catch a one, but Geri’s expressive body language gave us the whole picture.

When I asked him how to cook this, he laughed. The idea of a woman who isn’t a good cook is incomprehensible to him. With great pride Geri told us that he was indeed an excellent cook and then how to cook the yams.

Geri frequently tells me stories. He laughs so heartily when he gets to the punch line that I laugh with him even though I don’t understand the words. Having a friend, who doesn't speak the same language, is an adventure. When the person is someone as dear as Geri, it’s a lovely journey. Geri embodies old school Puerto Rico, the heart and soul of La Isla del Encanto. On a personal note he reminds me of the old school farmers my grandfather would take me to visit when I was incredibly young.

For years I’ve been afraid of retirement. Not having a schedule each day, or a to-do list left me feeling flaccid, wasted. All right, I’ll say it, “Useless.” What regimented thinking! I am learning to enjoy my day, especially a serendipitous moment like a neighbor dropping by unannounced with gifts.   

Enjoy your day, Tricia

SPAY IS THE WAY

Puerto Rico cannot become Auswitch Island for dogs! As long as the population is controlled these people can continue to live with their dogs as they have historically! This is not new; this is how people have lived with dogs since they've been roaming the island.
Living in 2010 we get to make a choice. Do we want to kill them off? Do we want to spay them?


I say, "Spay is the way!"
There are not enough shelters in Puerto Rico! These bitches are breeding every heat cycle; we can't wait for that.
If you want to learn something you didn't know about dogs come to Puerto Rico. Dogs have a barking language, a society that when its not compromised by over population is stable and fascinating. This is the best behavior lab you will ever see!






For those of us interested in dog behavior, this is a gold mine. I am starting to see more of the effects of scarcity of resources as the dog population in my neighborhood grows.
If any of you, who read this blog, are interested in helping, I need advice. I need help in figuring out how to help these dogs. I am not asking for money! What I want is your input on what steps to take next.
Here is what I have so far:
1) Hook up with van MASH units. Who are they, where are they?
2)Central Supply- What equipment to we need to treat sick dogs,
    spay, euthanize as necessary? How much will it cost per spay?
3) Medication- Antibiotics? Anesthesia, Vaccinations
4) Funding- Where do we go? I am getting that pilot projects will be necessary
     to prove ourselves.
5) Donations of vaccine, equipment.
6) Volunteers-
7) Collars- color coded for the year the animal was picked and vaccinated.

8) Vets to do the deed.
This is the beginner list, please, give me your thoughts. If any of this happens it will be because a bunch of caring humans got together.


Thanks!!

Puerto Rican Lemonaide

Every day we go places on this beautiful island; we see dogs joined the ranks of the many Puerto Rican people feeding the Satos, the feral or island dogs. It’s a national past time; these people do love their dogs. This is a good society to be so broke. To me that says huge wonderful things about the people, El Corazon!

For a serious dog lover this is the opportunity of a life time. I get to meet some of the wisest dogs I have ever met in my life, yes, I said wisest.


How else can you say street smart without giving it a negative connotation?


In the states we are dysfunctional with our dogs at the opposite end of the spectrum from here.
We worship and adore these critters to the point we’re telling them they can get on our laps, if they’d only get up and give us space on the couch; then we take them to school to learn who the boss is. Smirk.
Thank heaven; we also have some pretty great trainers in the states! You’ve got to see how schizophrenic puppies must get when raised in the trip from worship & adore to you had better do what I say, now. And we didn’t see it coming when spoiled critters go from worshipped to what the f—are you doing to “King”, I have teeth; SEE!

In my behavior practice I have worked with the Kings, Princesses about to be dethroned. I won’t get into the psychology of a nation of loving people looking for a safe vessel for their love. We have found that in dogs; that is until we start looking for a little r-e-s-p-e-c-t.
Some of us create our own little monsters; that’s no surprise.

Adopting a Puerto Rican street dog is the answer for the respect starved mush mellow dog lovers. These “Satos” are respectful and submissive; so many skinny dogs follow me as I walk away from the food to give them space to eat without a stranger hovering.

The hardest thing for me about meeting, greeting and feeding island dogs is that I fall in love over and over again. I want them all.
Even an old salt like John Saccenti, Pres. of C.D.I., New Jersey who told me he encountered only nice, friendly dogs when touring the island with Tim Vazquez. John said that based on his experience the Puerto Rican Island dogs were a pleasant surprise. This was a lovely compliment coming from a man who trains animal control officers.
I want to that John and his organization for the lovely badge; it looks good on me.

Congratulations for another fine course in Puerto Rico, bravo!



HELLO PUERTO RICO, tourism opportunity here; it will be so much fun!!

Dog Drama in Lares Mountain Side

In the mountain town of Lares a lady started feeding stray dogs. More dogs came; she started keeping them in her house. The house was full of dogs; she would no longer let family in to visit. She became ill and then add insult to injury; she was evicted.


Suddenly all of these dogs are back on the street waiting for this woman to take care of them. Animal Control Officer, Alma Febus to the rescue; she, alerted authorities, organized the capture of perhaps forty-five dogs and assisted the neighbors in an effort to feed the remaining dogs.


One of the neighbors wrote on my face book news page that about twenty of these dogs were taken to Villa Michelle, which is a good shelter in Mayaguez where the dogs have a shot at being adopted before a lethal injection. The other twenty-five were picked up by the municipality. In some municipalities, that may mean they don't get past go and no two hundred dollars. For dogs that are sick or suffering, it's a blessing. What about the ones that aren't sick or suffering? A meager existence is still an existence.


Auswitch Island for dogs is my nightmare, but that does not negate the good many people are doing here or the love of the well intending.

This past week Animal Control Officers Natalia Vega, Alma and I hiked up the mountain to see the make shift shelter the retiree tried to put together, so she could keep her beloved dogs. We tried to assess how many dogs are still in the area. In my opinion a credible current count is almost impossible as the dogs have scattered.


What I do know is that the large number of dogs defecating on the roads in front of homes is a health hazard.


An island wide organized spay week twice a year will go a long ways towards getting control of the animals in a compassionate way befitting an island with the enormous heart of Puerto Rico.


The island's reputation and tourism would benefit by some good public relations. If we invite young veterinarian students about to graduate to the island to help, they'll feel happy about the good they are doing.


After graduating these people with well paying careers will return to Puerto Rico where they have friends and warm feelings.


Tourism opportunity here, HELLO, PUERTO RICO.


Taking care of our dog problem doesn't have to mean murder. We don't have the shelters; let's use what we have. Every neighborhood has dog lovers, who will get involved.


F.O.I.C.C.A., ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS OF PUERTO RICO can lead the way.

Puerto Rico What Are You Going To Do?

This isn't the picture of Puerto Rico anyone wants to see. Because there is no island wide sterilization program dogs are everywhere procreating.

Wonderful, caring people do the best they can to help these dogs. They are the dog saviors. In Lares there was a lady who lived near the garbage dump, which apparantly is a favorite place to drop off unwanted pets or maybe they gravitate to the smell. This lady started feeding the dogs before long she had many, many dogs. It took most of each month's retirement check to keep them fed. She lost her health and then her house. The dogs are back out in the street.

Shelters have picked up most of the dogs. Villa Michelle a private shelter has taken many; they are wonderful. The municipal shelters all too frequently, pick them up and kill them. Euthanizing is not animal control; it's murder.

Dora Morales, the very kind woman pictured with her favorite spoiled darling has been feeding the dogs until they are rescued or put down. She gave us a tour of the area, so I could document what was there.

 A dog running free here or there can be considered a part of the culture. It has a certain charm, but large packs of malnourished mangey dogs speaks so

poorly for this island. How much does the tourism industry have to spend to counter act this negative publicity

Would the best public relations be to show the world Puerto Rico cares by sterilizing these animals. Animal lovers of the world would support that; ask Athens.