Carlos' girl friend Milly

As requested, pictures of Milly.

The first one shows Carlos and Milly just before they are ready to play.
They go from calm and quiet to rowdy and loud in about half a second. Then they are back to calm and quiet. It is really amazing.

Carlos never barks, that is, unless he hears a dog he wants to chase along the fence or is worried about someone in the street. He whines a little when we pass other dogs while out on walks. He is convinced that they all want to be his friend and it is my fault he can't go and play. And now he barks when playing with Milly all the time. It is pretty weird to hear him so vocal. Milly on the other hand is vocal and barks at various noises and things she "sees". Carlos usually ignores her so I don't worry.


Milly climbs the fence quicker that you would believe. She goes and hangs out at her other house while I am at work, then comes to hang out with Carlos and myself when I come home. Carlos is always so excited to see her. They usually kiss through the fence before I can get to it. They both know they have to sit before I will open the gate. When I open the gate and say "OK" Milly will run in and they start pouncing on each other. If you didn't know any better you would think they are really attacking each other. They aren't though. Milly likes to grab Carlos' back ankles. When she does this he will sit down on her sometimes to make her stop.



Amazingly after all of the rough housing they look like this in about the same amount of time it took them to get going. These "innocent" faces don't fool me!

Happy Holidays!!!!

Happy New Year!

I had a lovely New Year with friends here in Belize. We got dressed up, hung out a while, then we went out for a little while. It was fun.

Yesterday was fabulous. It was a holiday and I got to lounge around the house and do nothing. Today I passed my PC vehicle orientation. It had been more than half a lifetime that I have driven anything other than an automatic. I was a bit nervous at first but did really well. YEA!!!

Actually, the last couple of weeks has been pretty chill. Most of the people from the office have been on vacation. Chanda and I have spent a good bit of time avoiding the seemingly constant rain showers by working from home most days or at a secondary project. I have been trying to decide what my secondary project is going to be. In the States I had occasionally volunteered at a humane society and have contemplated that. I now have Carlos and occasionally think about getting another dog to keep him company. He really enjoyed having Molly to play with while Erin was in the States. Because I have been thinking about another pooch I have also decided that working at the humane society would be a bad idea... Instead I have done a little bit of work with the Kings Children's Home near by. It is kind of heartbreaking to have the little ones just walk up to you and put their arms up for you to pick them up. When you sit there with them it doesn't take long for another kid to come over in hopes for attention as well. Anyway. At the beginning of their holiday break from school Melissa L, Ashley V, and I went over for a crafts night at the home. Most of the kids were well behaved. I was amazed with the number of kids who were excellent artists. Several of the kids made things for me, but most of it ended up being hung up in the home.

It didn't feel much like Christmas this year though it did get a bit chilly. I got to call my family and talk to nearly everyone. Unfortunately the phone line was not clear and it kept cutting out on Christmas day. I am sure it probably had to due with the number of people calling from here. Anyway, I felt lucky to even have to opportunity to call. Instead of being with my real family I got to spend the holiday with my Peace Corps family. I attempted to make some family favorite dishes. While nothing quite turned out like Mom's or Meme's everyone thought it turned out well. We decided that the sides are actually the favorites so we didn't have a meat- green bean casserole, mac and cheese, fried apples, corn (out of a can unfortunately), banana pudding, sausage gravy, biscuits, and cinnamon rolls... The gravy and biscuits were brunch, cinnamon rolls for a late lunch with left overs. We ate or lounged for both Christmas Eve and Day!

Anyway, I need to catch up with some other stuff.

Happy New Year, may you be prosperous and happy!

Lucky Dog (and girl)!

I am happy to report that my georgous pooch was returned for a reward on Friday.

I made a mad dash to Belmopan Saturday morning to confirm it was him before leaving for the States. He is starting to get an eye infection in his right eye again. He also lost about every pound that I had put on him in the 6 days he was missing. He was walking gingerly; quite obviously had been pounding the pavement to find me. Carlos was found near the office- Chanda and my first destination the day he disappeared. He was as happy to see me as I was to see him I think. To prevent the incident from occuring again I bought: a chain to go around the gate- he had pushed it open even though it had been locked; a 40' long cable to hang between trees, added a pully; a 20' long cable to attach to the pully and dog; a dog house; and a monster size bag of dog food.

It nearly broke my heart to leave, but I feel confident that he will be there when I return. In the mean time I will enjoy my time at home and catch up with friends and family.

One down, thousands to go

Getting ready for bed I became a bit anxious last night. Having a dog for the first time in nearly half of my life and never living in my house was strange.

All was well as Ethel and I had dinner last night. Around dinner, Blue, my neighbor's dog decided he would like to intimidate Carlos. Carlos had causally watched him on our side of the screen door on and off for an hour or so. After I went out for laundry Blue got "brave" and came on the porch to check things out. Before he had stood on a pile of boards, barking at a safe distance. Ethel pointed out that he was already aware that Carlos could take him. While Carlos is not in top form, scrawny and actually very much a lover boy, I feel like he would put up a good fight. With Blue and Carlos nearly ramming into the screen I decided it would be best to close the main door. As I got dinner ready Carlos decided to prop his paws on the counter and check it out. BIG NO NO. So, he got a pop on the snout. He recoiled immediately, dropped his head as he did, unfortunately right on the edge of my open oven door. I felt horrible, but if I want to be able to fix food in my kitchen without puppy assistance this tough love was necessary. Had he stuck his nose on a hot pan the outcome could have been far worse. After a little while I let Ethel pet him, then I pet him and talked to him.

Knowing that things would get a bit wild if I tried to take Carlos out on a walk without controlling Blue, Ethel helped. The whole thing went well and night #1 was a success.

This morning I woke by my alarm for my meds at 7. At about 7:25 I was awoken by a different alarm. Fabric ripping was enough to make me bolt up in bed, yell NO, and pop Carlos on the nose. The lovely, still in good condition, but older beach towel was now no longer in good condition. I had folded it in thirds, laid it on my rug, and had a nice little sleeping pad for Carlos. Whatever the reason, empty food bowl, boredom, need to pee, he was enjoying himself. Immediately he cowered. I got up, got dressed as fast as possible for me, then we headed out for a walk. We played in the sea a little and returned to find Blue still out. We walked a little more, shocked that we had made it through without any argument earlier, then went home when the coast was clear.

Today was great. I made a leash for him though I haven't used it yet. Took him for a variety of walks. Left him in the house, several hours at a time and NO surprises! Good Dog Carlos! Tonight after a trip to visit the ice cream shop and our final walk. My friend Enes, her two daughters, and I returned with Carlos on the golf cart. Arriving at the house, he jumped off of hers and onto the Bradley's. He was ready for another ride. A brief visit, another walk, and some relaxing followed. Just a little while ago I listened out for Blue. No sign. So Carlos got put on the leash and was led down the stairs. It wasn't until about a minute later did I notice that Blue was under the utility golf cart staring at Carlos. There wasn't a sound uttered except by me. Carlos didn't pee, but I wasn't going to stick around to see if anything else was going to happen.

There has been a little more chewing on the towel. Some serious gas issues. He is fairly good with doing what I want if he is made to understand. Sit, easy, Carlos- these are words he is starting to get. At some point I was trying to get him back into the house from a walk and he refused. I needed to head out I think and he just wasn't having it. He walked down the stairs, sniffed around as I called him. He squatted a little as he barely lifted his leg and peed. Good Boy Carlos! Just proves that I shouldn't be too upset if he doesn't listen exactly. But now is bed time and he will have no problem with this.

Good Night.

Carlos

Carlos is the new neutered man in my life. At around 3 years old and living in my house for two weeks, lots of things will be new. Haven't had a dog since I was in high school so this is all new for me again. I really really really hope he doesn't have to go to the bathroom before Blue goes up in the morning. He keeps staring at the door so I hope that isn't what it means right now either. He seems pretty smart and loving so I also hope that means he loves me enough not to pee on my floors. I will let you know tomorrow.