The Language of Woof

Listening to the "Satos" on the hill gives me the opportunity to learn the dogs' verbal language in a stable canine community. Blondie and Bonita sound so much more like Stormy when they make the woo-woo sound than they did last January.
Dogs in the kennel have a variety of barks. The complainer bark is basically an I am not happy about whatever. I take a complaining bark seriously; it's about being sad and lonely. Helping a dog settle in the kennel often takes no more than calling the dog by name as I talk to them when I walk past. Spending a couple of minutes in the kennel just sitting with them brings around the rest usually; it's the ones that have been reinforced for the screamer bark that set your teeth on edge. Dogs figure out what gets results and some scared little dogs use the screamer bark often enough that it becomes their bark. This bark would not exist in nature because in a pack of charged dogs it over sitmulates the dogs which makes them more of a threat to screaming dog. This is one of those things that is all about us.
After nights of hearing this screaming sound from dogs getting injured to hearing it from a dog who barks like that all the time, hmmm do I think our dog's are challenged in the communications department? Maybe.

A Lesson From The Golden

Shaker reminds me that what I adore the absolute most about dogs is how well they love us. This dog is so ecstatic that we’re home.


Our Golden boy races circles around us, looking at us watch him. The balanced symmetry of effortless, joyous strides causes us to admire the Shaker, but soon we settle into some long overdue petting.


Sometimes I think I treat love like a finite thing, as if people only had so much love to go around, my Golden teaches me to love with abandon; imagine that.


For another month I’ve been wrapped up in all things Puerto Rican and canine. So many wonderful dogs I know as individuals will face death if we don’t get a sterilization plan in place pronto.


In my opinion the canine street society of dogs mirrors our history without tools and the advantages of the larger prefrontal cortex. Their verbal language becomes more apparent and possibly a little better understood each time I live with these dogs. My heart, soul and imagination are with them.


Shaker cares not a sniff about this; we’re home.

Satos On The Hill

Folding the wash, preparing to close the house is keeping me from crying. I love people; I am not one of those who love dogs hate people.

Leaving our friends on the island is sad, but leaving the “Satos” we spend time observing and feeding. We visit and feed a good number of dogs here.

My daily smile is with the “Satos” on the hill. The greeting ritual with these dogs is a highlight any day. Blondie and Bonita really get into it. Blondie squeals as I stroke her sides. Bonita loves to grab my finger with her front teeth; her delicate touch with her front teeth shows no ill will. That I let her do it, I believe shows my good will. It feels like we are bridging a gap in the relationship.


One thing I have to say right now is that the Puerto Rican Government needs to take care of this problem. These are dogs breeding in the streets. Because people take compassion and feed an animal that does not make it their animal. These dogs are fed all over the neighborhood.


When Puerto Rico quits feeding the dogs, she’ll be feeding the rats. The government needs to step up, adopt a program that will pay dividends in tourism.


Puerto Rico has an infrastructure to carry out an island wide spay program. FOICCA is the Federation of Animal Control Officers in Puerto Rico.


They can work with whatever department will fund the operation. The results will improve the world image of Puerto Rico.


FOICCA can work with tourism by showing visitors the best places to find healthy adoptable Satos. Tourists may need help in finding a veterinarian to vaccinate and prepare the animal for the trip home.


Maybe one day, I won’t have to leave. Miss you my loves. SPAY IS THE WAY.

Snow White excels at the subtle art of submission. She knows just how far away she needs to stay. Snow stops short of aggravating Blondie with every advance. Her humble demeanor has brought out the best in Blondie, who actually invited Snow to eat in a friendly puppy like voice.

Blondie stands like a boss looking over her shoulder, a not subtle reminder that she is eating by her good graces which could end at any time. Snow averts her eyes half closing them, her lopsided ears twist and move in the most pathetically appealing fashion.


Lance is off to other pursuits, good thing for Stormy. Sad to say Snow White has no magic musk that keeps a male coming around; looks more like self interest.


Toby is here to share anything that might come her way. He gave Snow a couple of front end bounces and a bark to get her to give up some of her kibble pile. Bonita took offense at that; she ran over and did basically the same thing to him! He backed off. Toby is getting Bonita’s number, but that first confrontation with her last March must have been memorable.

Bonita’s experience with chasing off Toby may cause her to side with Stormy if the two males end up fighting for the spot. Toby has a spot about a half a mile away from here. Last week when he got tired of following Snow White, he would go home for dinner. His bowl is by the house. It could be that another male is moving in there; I don’t know.


What I do know is if the dog population is allowed to grow; it will get serious for these dogs whose lives are difficult enough. They are interesting, lovely animals. They deserve to live. Spay is the way, Puerto Rico.

Finding A Spot Is Not Easy

Blondie emits a high pitched, “rraurgh!” It sounded more like something that come out of Bonita. The tonal quality was so puppy like. Snow White comes out of her spot in the grass to eat. Blondie has invited Snow to have breakfast with her; how exciting.
Bonita’s eyes are fixed on her mom; she’s waiting for clues as to what to do next. She looks shocked that Snow White is invited to share the resources. Her body language says she is ready to pounce on Snow, if only Blondie will give the signal.


As harsh as Blondie has been with Bonita around food, this has to be strange for Bonita to see her mother invite an outsider to eat. Snow White trots over to the food like someone said, “Come and get it.”


Blondie stands next to Snow while she eats one of the piles of food placed at the end of the carport ramp. When she finishes the pile, Snow stretches her neck towards another kibble, Blondie mounts her. Snow is a pretty cool chick, she stands still for Blondie’s domination while grabbing every kibble she can reach.

It looks like acceptance when the old Airedale, Toby arrives. Bonita knows she has shagged his rear off before; she gives a fierce growl, Blondie and Stormy back her play. Snow hides in the tall grass as the home team kicks Toby butt out of here.