Eight puppies from the San Carlos Canine Refuge were on display in a pen, and at least four were officially adopted before the day was over. Everyone wanted a chance to cuddle a puppy.
One unanticipated bonus: the presence of all those dogs attracted a fellow a number of dog lovers had been trying to capture for years. He's known as Blackie, and when he was a puppy someone tied a wire tightly around his neck, attaching a heavy stone to it. A local doctor's wife had offered a $1000-peso reward for anyone who could catch the elusive Blackie, so the wire can finally be removed, he can get wormed, spayed, vaccinated and rid of parasites. No one had been able to catch him, in spite of his impediment, but today a lanky cowboy named Pepper spotted Blackie when he showed up curious at the sight of all those dogs, and managed to lasso him. He's unadoptable, but when he's been treated he'll be released back into one of his old haunts, sure to have a better life than before.
No dog fights. No injuries on the walk other than a few blisters. No conflicts with neighbors or police. For one glorious day we showed ourselves that we could indeed all get along. We had decorated the street with red ribbons yesterday, to mark our route and someone came along behind us and pulled them all down, but we just waited until this morning and put up more.
I've been bottle-feeding a litter of four two-week-old orphaned pups for the past few days (above, Bruiser the alpha male and Cleo the runt female). The lack of sleep has me in a bit of a daze, but I had a wonderful time, and when it was all over the Capt and I came home for a long siesta. Now it's all like a sweet dream.