Dec 18, 2021
A bit of this and that
First off I thank you for your continued comments and emails about our wild beach twins. Internet has been down more than up so I will put a bit of this and a lot of that in this post. There are a great deal of fireworks at this time of year and for the first time ( our first four pups were so very frightened – we used the thunder coat and other things ) we have a set of pups who tolerate the noise, they look up and wonder at the loud sounds and settle again. Or we pick them up and soothe them and distract them. That part of the training is going well.
We were going to pick up two 5 gallons bottles of water when we were sidelined by a Virgin de Guadalupe parade. December 12th is a big celebration here in Mexico. Just behind the tractor pulled float are a few children dressed in the traditional costumes. I have to say that this was the most sedate December 12th we have ever had on the Isla. Usually the firecrackers start at 12:01 am on the 12th and resume at dawn and go most of the day. During the entire day we heard only about 10 minutes worth of noise.
In general, there are no wild dog packs in this area of the Isla or anywhere on the Isla, we would have been told. The girls are no longer being allowed to simply run with a long lead behind them. One day Colin tied small garbage bags filled with a bit of sand at the end of their leashes, which slowed them down. On the way back he slowly emptied the sand and they kept pace with him and walked nicely. He only did that once but it gave him ideas and along with your comments he is trying a few other things. First off they are starting the walk along the Amaitlan sidewalk to RV2 and then down to the beach. He is only using the 6′ leash and switched from a collar to a harness. We only started them on a collar in Quartzsite as it was quicker for us to hook them up and they really don’t like it. At home they have only ever used a harness. When they start to go wild he stops and even sits down until they settle and then they go a few more yards stop and repeat. They walked back here with no issues the other day.
Just before Colin took this photo the girls were laying in the sun side by side. My job is serious plant watering every 2 – 3 days.
Today he took them out separately as I had been suggesting and with some of you also suggesting that, he did just that today. We now know that the baby ( by 90 minutes ) Ciela is the instigator of the wildness. They both did well separately. So we will try what works and if it doesn’t then we will change it up. By the way when they are in the midst of pulling and twisting and screaming nothing will get thru to them whether a strong word ( we have been working on ‘quiet’ for a few weeks ) which they usually respond to nor will their favourite salmon treat. One day at a time.
I love my different palms, my plumeria and my bougainvillea which are just starting to come back after the hurricane.
We are very aware of the twin thing/litter mate syndrome. Their bond is very strong. Today when Colin left with one, the other would cry and do anything she could to get out of the yard. The one left behind needs to be closely watched and will have nothing to do with treats nor being picked up.
Close encounters on the way back from the Ley’s on the highway.
I just wanted to mention that we drove a total of 2625 miles/ 4241 kms from home to here. It seemed like the longest trip ever but we are here and pretty much set up. Now we need to concentrate on relaxing. That won’t be hard to do. We had already decided what we were and were not going to do while here so this new variant Omicron does not frighten us as we won’t be going anywhere.
Interesting critters.
We did go the the Ley’s grocery store the other day to pick up some veggies and to Coppel to pick up a new fan. One of our two did not work once removed for the bodega. Perhaps a mouse had a good chew on the wires while we have been away. First thing going into a store, your temperature is taken, hand sanitizer is squirted into your hand and your cart handle is wiped with a liquid sanitizer and then you have to walk through a wet box of I suspect another cleanser. Everyone wears masks and most wear them outside as well. Everyone is doing their best to be safe. My friends tell me that most are also wearing their masks on the streets of Mazatlan.
While looking for something in the RV basement Colin found another 30 bottles of wine 😆 There is no way we are going to run out. I will run out of eggnog though. I only have four bottles and we are down to 2.5, but then it is really a Christmas treat so I shall enjoy it as we watch Christmas movies here and there. If anyone has seen a really good one, let me know.
A new restaurant ( just next to Chivos ) across the bay from us. Lots of lights and some nights band noise.
Or is this the 5th wave?
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That litter mate syndrome is a real thing! Barb wants another Frenchie but we both know introducing a 3rd dog, especially another high energy dog would change our lives for the next few years. We like the calming effect that Dakota has on Zoey and do not want to change that to chaos!
I agree that another new pup would create a lot more energy and disruption in your home. You do have a good thing going as you are and you all seem so content
Have you tried making pancakes with the eggnog, subbed in for the buttermilk/milk?
Add some diced apple and a little extra cinnamon to the batter and it’s real yummy!
Just let me know and I can send you the recipe. 🙂
Next year Pauline I am going to bring you with us so you can be in charge of meal planning. You are amazing and so creative. I barely even make regular pancakes. This eggnog is fully loaded if you know what I mean. Can you please make pancakes next time we come?
I’d love to make pancakes for you guys! 🙂 Breakfast for supper, complete with eggs and two types of sausage; yours and ours 🙂 It would make the boys happy.
Eggnog won’t be in “season” though. Unless I froze some; would it work?
And what’s wrong with boozy pancakes?! 😉
That is a lot of miles to get to paradise! Good to hear that the twins are learning how they are supposed to behave. However, they are doxies and have their own minds. Now you must have huge storage compartments if 30 bottles of wine were hidden that you didn’t know you had!
We do have a great deal of storage and I am so happy that we do. We only have to go out to pick up veggies and fruits as we have most everything with us with is perfect with Omicron hovering around us. For the first ever this year someone is selling frozen shrimp and fresh snapper or mahi mahi and sometimes bass or sword fish. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Contessa: Nice to hear from U amigos & glad to know things are rolling smoothly; love your colorful plants they could also get a shot of Magnesium Sulfate & grow faster & greener, Epsom salts will do it for few pennies. Glad the twins are behaving a bit more civilized 🙂
My regards: Lucy.
I do have proper fertilizer that I brought from home which seems to be helping. I do have Epsom salts with me which I should look into re my plumeria tree. Sadly it always takes a few months to get my garden looking its best and then we have to leaves it all behind and start from scratch when we come back.
Glad you all made it. We have been sick with Covid here. All four of us. Yesterday, we went to a covid specialist and received four injections of each of the covid antibodies. and We have to take an antibiotic for 7 days and a steroid for a week. We are feeling better, or so I want to believe.
Very tired… no taste or smell… I think I am now on a Covid Diet….
Oh no! I am so very sorry to read this. Thank goodness you were able to get checked right away. It sounds like you have received great medical care thus far. Yes the Covid diet, hang in there and make sure that you at least eat some protein everyday. That will help with the energy. All I can do from here is send positive energy out to the Universe in the hope that it will help.
Hugs and more hugs.
So settling in and serious dog training! ha. I am curious, where does the Isla get its water supply?
The water comes from Mazataln through an old pipe that goes under the shipping channel. Mazatlan water comes from somewhere in the mountains. Sadly the pipes keep breaking and many here on the Isla go 4 week and long we no water of muddy water. We buy drinking water in 5 gallon jugs.
Thanks! I’m a curious person, and always wonder how islands get potable water! Good thing you stay stocked up.