Morning is Over

Just finished the morning of our last day of class. A week of classes in Spanish has been some what draining for me. Looking forward to the day when I can speak to people in this language and have communication.
The energy and excitment in the room is palpable. The first class of Animal Control Officers graduates tomorrow. One of the class leaders here has announced the formation of an association representing us. The first meeting will be in one week from our graduation. This should keep the positive momentum going.
I don't know where I'll fit into this picture, but if I am going to be involved these are the people who will be there in the trenches.
Saturday is the day I've been waiting for because the people who are active in dog rescue on the island are going to be on a panel discussing what we can do now to ameliorate the problem.
A number of people in the class are police and cruelty investigators, some are groomers, others are dog trainers and the rest are rescuers. We have a nice experience base.
All of this talk about dogs and not a dog to pet. On the break a young man said how much he missed his dogs. That is so true for me as well. I can't wait to get home to see the puppies. If Stormy is the father of any, I am going to have a dog again. If not one pup is spoken for already, the rest will get good homes here or back in Illinois.
So I guess I'd better have lunch we have a full program for this afternoon plus two more tests to take.

Sunset in San Juan

Sunset in San Juan is spectacular. The lagoon is indego, just enough light hits the palm trees to make them a golden green. The yellow lights twinkle like stars. Several preppies glide by in long rowing boats, then indeginous guy comes across the lagoon. Like a Puerto Rican prince, he glides over the water standing on a board that doesn't look any larger than a surf board. His slim hips and broad shoulders cut a fine siloette in the twilight. Each evening I see his effortless strokes as he solos to shore.
Our quaint hotel has a small balconey with our room. Sitting with my laptop I plan to do home work, but the warm breeze seduces my thoughts, which flit like the fluffy white clouds that turn pink at dusk
The shadow cast by one building on to a larger looks like at set from West Side Story The outline of what looks like a fire escape is so vivid I visualize Maria and Tony dancing out. Yeah, I know that was New York.
The Condado area along the ocean is some high end real estate, but I am a country girl, missing my home on the hill. Also miss my canine friends.
Blondie had her puppies at my neighbor's house, which begs the question; are they my neighbor's puppies? Iam planning to have the puppies adopted, mommy and last litter daughter spayed.
After sitting in class all day, a walk along the ocean is theraputic. The full moon reflected on the water, white caps crashing into shore makes me think; I am so glad I'm not in Illinois right now. Smile

Hump Day

It takes a certain type of person to do animal control work. There are moments when I think I can do it, then there are other moments when doubt reigns supreme. I got out of nursing because I could not handle people suffering anymore.

My career in dogs has been great; I fix your dog's problem behavior, you smile and pay me, while thanking me very much because you love your dog. This is a far cry from what I will be doing in animal control. Well ,why worry until I have to make a decision.

The best thing about the course so far has been the people taking it. They are so caring, so committed! I don't always follow the Spanish conversations well, but someone once taught me to listen not to the words, but the music. Some classmates talk like a creshendo, all with passion. I understand enough to know that they have some wonderful skills. I really look forward to working with them and finding my place within the group. The finding a place within the group thing is an extreme rarity for me. You have no idea how rare.

Animal Control Course Puerto Rico

This morning at 4 am I was awake wondering why I signed up for this class in the first place. What was I thinking? Five days of classes from 8:30 am to 5 pm followed by a Saturday summit of people involved with rescueing dogs on the island.

Then I saw Adri, the course organizer, she was electric. As we filed into the class room, I could feel the energy. This is as commited a group of animal lovers as I have ever met. Not every one has the same beliefs, the discussions were quite spirited.

The first day of class went well and quickly. From the moment we started my doubts evaporated. These are my people, even if I don't speak Spanish. Yes, my lack of Spanish is problematic, but I could hear my classmates speaking from the heart and understood.

This is the first Animal Control Course for Puerto Rico. It's good to have a chance to get to know some caring people.

Guess I'd better set the alarm clock.

Life’s Ironies

 

Lake Guajataca is part of karst country. As nearly as I can figure a karst is geology's answer to a fallen soufflé. The result is we feel like we live in a big green tea cup. The lake at the bottom is the focus of where we look mostly, but the wall of green soothes my soul.

My husband talks about it being an oxygen factory in the middle of an oxygen warehouse, which would be the deep ocean. I just know that the healing that goes on in my body when I 'm here is mystical.

My beautiful home on the side of the teacup is not without its problems, which at the moment includes no water service for the whole neighborhood for the last several months. Water trucks come to fill up rooftop tanks; hopefully you are home when they're in the area. The new water line is just the other side of the hill, so maybe not too much longer we'll have water pressure. It's the little things that make a life normal.

The dogs are all passed out on their sides. Blondie has been carrying her pups right behind the diaphragm now we watch the wave like movement in her side as they line up under the exit sign. I already have a home for one of the pups. I doubt that she had enough nutrition to support too many embryos.

Stormy had a snit with Bonita tonight just after they finished eating; he ran over to her, bit her and growled. He tried to chase her off. This on the very first day I have ever seen her attempt to play with him. Wonder why he tried to drive her off after the meal? He had plenty to eat. Blondie is usually more apt to try to drive her off and that's always during feeding time.

Next week we'll be in San Juan for my Animal Control Class, which is the first ever on the island. This should be interesting. I've taken classes in breeding, raising, training, showing, health issues, conformation; but this is my first in animal control.

It is a major irony in my life that I came to Puerto Rico to get away from dogs. After my last surgery, my doctor told me I couldn't work for at least six months. I am a dog trainer from Illinois, so we went to our new home in Puerto Rico so I wouldn't be tempted to mess up my surgery by fooling with the dogs. Who knew this was an island full of dogs just waiting for me.