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| "YOU can be trained to see things MY way" |
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| Chilly weather clothes for island dogs |
My favourite photos are of the pooches dressed warmly for the cooler winter months, when the temperature drops from a daytime high of 30 °C to 21 °C. Brrr! (86 °F down to 69.8 °F). Local short-haired dogs shiver in the cooler temperatures, and concerned owners gear them up for winter with warm sweaters and quilted coats. We have acclimated and can easily wear jeans and sweaters when the temperature dips below the mid-twenties Celsius, so I get it. I empathize with them.
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| Michael at Impresiones Magicas |
Additionally, there are truly pampered pooches who dress for specific occasions, like Michael, a gorgeous pit-bull who guards the Impresiones Magicas store in Cancun.
He frequently is attired in a seasonally appropriate costume, such as Santa Claus in December.
He's a lovable wriggly, waggly character during office hours, but a serious guard dog at night.
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| Miss Tinkerbell |
Tinkerbell has an array of outfits, bows, ribbons, and even a beautiful pink life-jacket for boating events. She is well-mannered and welcome in most restaurants, enjoying the view from her own chair.
We have also met Willie, who is adored by Ceil and Dick. He is a perfect guest at the dinner table, handsome and polite.
Along the malecon (seawall) on the east side of the island is a cute butterscotch-coloured mutt who sticks his head out through the star-shaped holes in a brick wall, woofing a hello to passersby. If you mention Star-Dog, anyone who walks that route knows the dog and has likely had a conversation with him. He seems friendly, but I don't invade his territory. It's his job to warn off intruders.
Also amongst my photographs are several of what we refer to as "rooftop alarm systems." It's a pretty common sight; one, two, or more dogs peering over the edge of a roof, barking at anyone who enters their territory. It is a touchy subject - dogs confined to rooftops. Petty theft, robberies of electronics and cash are as commonplace here as they are in any part of the world. Noisy dogs are often used as an expedient solution. Alarm systems are rare and expensive; most are monitored by private companies in Cancun, which necessitates a long wait before an alarm is investigated.
A few months ago, the local police advised friends to "get a dog" when faced with the aftermath of a break-in. We admit we have challenges with the concept. As my friend Harriet taught me years ago, this is not my country; I am a guest. Thankfully, the Isla Animals organization is on the lookout for neglected animals, involving the authorities when faced with a tough situation.
And then there are the dogs who are enjoyed as companions, friends. Wandering around the various neighbourhoods with my camera, I noticed a house painted pink, white and chocolate brown, to match their beautiful pooch whose coat was a combination of brown, white, and pale pink splotches. The owners grinned when I complimented their dog and their house, nodding in agreement that he is a very handsome dude.
Another favourite of ours is the monstrous black dog that lives on the road behind the middle school. He is so huge that he resembles a bear. Snoozing in the sand, he seldom bothers me when I drive past in the golf cart, looking for ideas for blog postings. He will occasionally lift his head and give me a half-hearted woof, before deciding that I am no threat to him or his house. When you are that big, you own the road.
Many of our friends have adopted dogs or been adopted by dogs. Soggy Doggy is a fixture at the Soggy Peso bar, sleeping off his elder years under a hibiscus plant close to potential snacks from bar patrons. He's old, and wheezy, and scarred from many battles for the affections of females, but greatly loved by Sal and Mal. Every time I see him, I smile in remembrance of his brash "I can take 'em all" behaviour, not so much in evidence now with his advanced age and health issues.
Curtis and Ashley at Villa la Bella shared the story of their dog Bella on this blog, posted in October of 2013. Tiff and Brad at Barlito's have Clienta, who I believe is around fourteen years old now. Chuck and Marcy fell head over heels for Somba at least ten years ago. Janet and David have adopted three from the island: Pretty, Tan, and a tiny little dog also named Bella. My good friend Diego, the illustrator of our joint venture children's book, also has an elderly much much-loved pooch. A number of these adoptees have been featured in this blog at various times.
And Sparky, well, just the other day, he met a new girlfriend. She's a beautiful, well-trained Boxer that walks with her human every morning on Playa Norte. She is about four times the size of Sparky, playfully wrestling with him and playing tag for a few minutes every day, before we head off on our separate routes. Sparky can dream all he wants, but nothing will come of that relationship. They are both - what's the current correct terminology? - altered.
We still really enjoy cats, and soon Tommy will be famous with his first book. Sparky, on the other hand, will have to wait until book number two to share the spotlight with Thomas the Cat. In the meantime, he keeps us entertained with his antics. We're happy he chose us.
Cheers
Lynda, Lawrie, Sparky, and Thomas
We have also met Willie, who is adored by Ceil and Dick. He is a perfect guest at the dinner table, handsome and polite.
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| We call him Star-Dog (name is Peluche, Teddy Bear) |
Also amongst my photographs are several of what we refer to as "rooftop alarm systems." It's a pretty common sight; one, two, or more dogs peering over the edge of a roof, barking at anyone who enters their territory. It is a touchy subject - dogs confined to rooftops. Petty theft, robberies of electronics and cash are as commonplace here as they are in any part of the world. Noisy dogs are often used as an expedient solution. Alarm systems are rare and expensive; most are monitored by private companies in Cancun, which necessitates a long wait before an alarm is investigated.
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| These guys are well-cared for - rooftop alarm system. |
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| Handsome dude - brown, white and pale pink |
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| Looks like a sleeping bear! |
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| Soggy Doggy in 2009 |
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| Sombra - enjoying her golf cart ride |
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| Sparky is hopelessly in love. |
We still really enjoy cats, and soon Tommy will be famous with his first book. Sparky, on the other hand, will have to wait until book number two to share the spotlight with Thomas the Cat. In the meantime, he keeps us entertained with his antics. We're happy he chose us.
Cheers
Lynda, Lawrie, Sparky, and Thomas
Murder. Mayhem. Revenge. Romance.
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2 comments:
The "star dogs" name is Peluche (teddy bear). Love him and all of the Isla dogs!
Awesome! Thank you for telling me .... he is so cute. Cheers L
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