My final night at the Esperanza Inn was again
uneventful. Carol picked me up around
1030 hours and after dropping her off at the airport my next assignment has
begun.
Her house is also in the Monte Carmelo area of the island,
in fact about 500 yards from Chris and Elizabeths. The difference being Carol is on the east
side of the ridge Chris and Elizabeth are almost on top. So, you can guess where I'll be catching a
few more sunsets while I'm here; a simple 500 yard walk.
While the first house/pet sitting assignment involved two dogs, this assignment has 3 dogs, 11 cats, and about 35 chickens. Two of the three dogs, Daisy and Shashe, spend most of the time outside while Mutshe likes lying around inside. All the cats are outside cats and of course, the chickens have their own house. The flock of chickens includes a broad of hens, and two clutches of chicks. I don't remember the names of the cats, and like cats coming to "kitty, kitty" all the chickens at least hear "chick, chick"; chickens responding is another story.
While the first house/pet sitting assignment involved two dogs, this assignment has 3 dogs, 11 cats, and about 35 chickens. Two of the three dogs, Daisy and Shashe, spend most of the time outside while Mutshe likes lying around inside. All the cats are outside cats and of course, the chickens have their own house. The flock of chickens includes a broad of hens, and two clutches of chicks. I don't remember the names of the cats, and like cats coming to "kitty, kitty" all the chickens at least hear "chick, chick"; chickens responding is another story.
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| Daisy |
 |
| Mutshe and Shashe |
 |
| Damnedest sleeping position I've ever seen (Mutshe) |
 |
| Some of the chicks relaxing with the cats |
All the animals are carefree and easy to control. The only time I see the cats is at feeding
time and the chickens are came be found at feeding time and when I let them in
and out of the coup. The dogs on the
other hand stay by my side, without begging for food or attention.
With a couple of roosters in the flock, awaking to the
sounds of nature are louder here, but it is still a great way to begin the
day...
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| The coop |
 |
| One of the roosters |
In a conversation Carol and I had before she departed, she
was thinking of relocating the chicks to the coop. It may happen before she gets back; but I'll
have to check with her first.
Anticipating the relocation soon, I built a sleeping perch
inside the coop. Right now all the chicks
are used to sleeping on a single perch, I figure it would be best for them to
continue their current sleeping arrangement; more to come I'm sure.
Other than taking care of the chick situation, I gave the
dogs a bath. Then I caught up on some
reading, talked to family, and just lounged around; hell, it was "Fathers
Day."
Last night I visited Chris and Elizabeth for the sunset
ritual. As I walked in the gate Susie
and Lulu greeted me with wagging tails; I think they remember me.
We made our way to the third level patio to watch the sun
makes its way behind the mountains of Puerto Rico; it wasn't going to
happen. The sky was unusually hazy from
sand being blown over from Africa, shielding the sun, thus no colorful sky
surrounding the bright yellow orange ball we call the sun. Well, that simply left more time for drinking
and chatting; everything has a purpose.
Streetlights on, time for me to walk home.
Until next time
Mike
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