Tag Archives: dog

Scarf Attack

Posted by on May 17, 2013 No comments

Teli and I were in bed I was on the Kindle and she was dozing off next to me. We were all calm, comfy and cozy. All of a sudden she started growling while looking towards the door.

Her hair was standing up on her back. The growl got bigger as Teli jumped to her feet. She was in full attack mode it seemed. I sat up as well.

There is a divider blocking the door from my view. First thought is that someone was hiding behind the divider. I was starting to grab my stick I keep by the bed. Teli jumped off the bed and ran into the living room, my viscous attack dog was a chicken.

I was alone with whatever it was behind the divider.

Just at that second the light in my brain lit and I realized what was happening. I laid a black scarf on top of the divider earlier today. It did not belong there.

Teli came running back in and jumped onto the bed still growling, a deep frightening growl. I bet that scarf was scared to death of Teli ready to attack it.

I grabbed the scarf and threw it down on the bed next to where she was standing. She jumped up in the air, all for feet off the bed. Frightened. Then she gave me a look like what the heck looking from the scarf then to me a few times. Then the brave dog sat down while sticking her nose into the offending piece of black cloth. All was safe and she was happily throwing the scarf into the air and playing with it.

Teli with her scarf

Teli with her scarf

My guard dog saved me from the big bad scarf, that is, after she ran away in fright. She had her bad scarf and laid down again and I returned to my Kindle. All was safe and sound.

Have I mentioned lately that I love my dog Teli? (Teli wrote her own version of this story on her blog The Dominican Dog Blog)

Run Down on the Beach

Posted by on February 2, 2013 No comments

I woke up a little late this morning so I could not take Teli out to her normal run-around place. I decided to take the advice of the morning dog group and visit the beach behind Montecion near the port this morning for a change in the morning romp.

Teli really does not like change so it was a bit of a trauma for her to take a right instead of going straight, her normal morning routine. We hit the stairs at Calle las Damas all the while she is looking at me asking “Where are we going mommy?”.

I decided to cross the bridge at the port instead of trying to walk across the road with all the traffic. I made a mistake. I ended up having to carry Teli as she was afraid of the open sides on the stairs. I did not want to take the chance that she would slip out of her collar and run into the traffic so it was best to just carry her. I realized this was a mistake half way up the long…long stairway. I am not in good shape anymore. In my younger days I could have made it up all those stairs, no problem. I need to remember that I am not living in my younger days anymore which from time to time I seem forget.

Walk-way over Malecon to the Port.

Walk-way over Malecon to the Port.

I tried to put her down on the top but she was afraid of the open railing which I knew she would be. I just did not want to take a chance of her getting frightened and bolting so I carried her across the top and down the first flight of stairs. That was it for me. She had to walk the rest of the way.

We entered Montecions Plaza and she was doing fine. I was having the problem remembering the last time we were there when Teli jumped out the 2 1/2 floor window. (This is the story – Taking the Jump From Montecinos). Then Blanco and his dad came across the street and Teli was content. Her friend was there to play with her.

We made it to the beach and she and Blanco were romping having a good ole time. Chasing and dodging each other like they love to do.

Teli and Blanco romping on the Montecinos Beach

Teli and Blanco romping on the Montecinos Beach

Then Telis other friend Lula came. The three dogs were having a great time running around in the sand. Playing like they love to do.

Finally, they were starting to were out a bit. Taking a lay-down break here and there.

The dogs were slowing down a bit

The dogs were slowing down a bit

I was trying to get Teli to get a little wet in the sea. She wasn’t going for it. Teli was fast at getting out of the way of the wave, I was not. So I got wet. Just my feets and shoes.

I was done after the shoes got wet and went over to the group to share my wet foot story and WAM!! The dogs that I thought were tired were still romping and Blanco crashed right into me! Normally I am aware where the dogs are because Blanco is known for her haphazard crashes, but I was so into my wet feet I was not paying attention.

Stupid me. Down I went on my butt! I am so happy it was soft sand and not pavement. It would have been a big owwie if it was cement but it was just a tiny owwie instead. I even got a scrape where the dog hit me.

Dog crash booboo

Dog crash booboo

.

I was sitting on the sand with wet shoes, sand all over me, a booboo shin and laughing as the friends pulled me to my feet. I was a bit sandy but all was fine. I will probably be a little sore tomorrow from the fall and more sore from carrying my chicken dog up all those stairs. My poor old back cannot handle alot these days.

Now the thought..Last time Teli and I were at that beach Teli jumped out the window and fell 2 1/2 stories to the, thank goodness, the soft dirt below and only had a few scratches and was sore. This time we went to the same area I fell down and got a little boobo on my leg. Maybe that place should not be blesses with our presence any more. The Booboo Beach does not seem to like us much.

Teli Greeting Me

Posted by on May 19, 2012 No comments

I went out to get some fruit across the street. I left the apartment door open but did lock the gate. I wanted to see what Teli would do with the door open and being alone.

I was only gone at the most 5 minutes.

When I to the second floor I could hear her. She was waiting at the gate.

As soon as she saw me she got excited and ran into the apartment. As I steeped onto the 3rd floor she came running back out of the apartment.

Then I saw her big smile. I so love it when she smiles. I couldn’t wait to unlock the gate and greet her. She was just too cute. I was only gone for a few minutes and got a wonderful greeting.

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE MY DOG?!

You can read about Telis’ own stories on The Dominican Dog Blog


Mango Time!

Posted by on April 24, 2012 No comments

It is mango season here in Dominican Republic. I have been watching the trees in the park laden with mangoes. A soft green color just waiting for them to ripen.

It finally happened. They are ready for pickin’ and eatin’. Oh yeah!

I cannot reach the trees from the park. All the mangoes fall into the Marine base grounds so I got this young boy that lives somewhere around there to get me some. I gave him a large bag from the Colmado and Teli (my dog) and I waited for Jimmy to return.

He came back in about 20 minutes with a bag full of mangoes! They smelt sooo good. I gave him some money for it. He was happy and so was I.

I was told that Dominican dogs love mangoes. My Teli is a Dominican dog but she turns her nose up at them. I kept trying to give her one and she finally gave me the look telling me “Thats enough! I do not want a stupid MANGO!”

Now I had to figure out what to do with all these sticky fibrous amazing fruits. Posted on Facebook to ask friends and I took a few of their ideas.

I made mango salsa. It was really good. I would have never thought that a sweet and a spicy would go together.

I made mango ice milk ice cream and froze it.

I made mango smoothie shakes which I love with any fruit I have at the time.

I made mango bread.

Today Ill make a mango enchilada.

Who knows what tomorrow mango goodies we will come up with…

mango bread sliced mango mango smoothie and coffee

This was my breakfast – All Things Mango. By the way, that is not mango coffee. I had to put my foot down someplace.


Green Grass Smells

Posted by on December 27, 2011 No comments

I was walking with my dog Teli this morning for her morning bathroom visit. I’m not sure exactly what time it was but my guess was around 7AM. We walk past the Fortelaza Ozama on Calle las Damas so she can go potty in the grass surrounding the wall. The grass inside the fort when it gets long looks like wheat waving in the breeze. It has a purple-burgundy tint to the top sprouting seed pods. When a breeze hits this grass it looks like waves. Like the line “Amber waves of grain” in the USA National Anthem. This view reminded me of that line. But today they were cutting the grass. It is a large open field with the ruins of the old fort scattered here and there. There were two men cutting with very antique looking hand pushed lawn mowers. I can remember my dad teaching me how to cut the grass. you had to go in certain directions, keeping the rows straight. You could not miss a spot or it would mess up the entire system Well, my dad was needed here. These guys were not following the grass cutting rules I grew up with. But the were cutting and I was smelling.

I love the smell of fresh cut grass. I even used to have some essential oil called Fresh Cut Hay and would burn it often here because there is not much lawns that need cutting here in the Colonial City. The smell was divine. I was really enjoying it while waiting for Teli to make her business.

Then tonight when we walked that way again on the way to Telis park the smell was still lingering. I had to stop and sit on the wall. The sitting part is easy but I forgot about the getting up part as I was so into smelling the essence or cut grass. Teli and I sat there for a while until the neighborhood kids wanted to play ball and Teli doesn’t like this so I had to get up. This is when, amongst the wonderful smells and the kids looking at me, that I remembered I need something to hold on to to get up. Of course there was nothing there.

I rolled my big butt off the little short wall and rolled over onto all fours. Teli was looking at me like I was either going crazy or wanting to play. Then I worked my way up using the dogs butt to stable myself, trying not to put too much pressure on her. Finally I was up. Laughing quietly out loud to myself and Teli and taking in the last smelling on that fresh cut lawn until the next time.

I learned myself a valuable lesson, that I learned many times before but always seem to forget. When stopping to smell the fresh cut grass always make sure that there is a way to get up if I decide to sit my big ole butt on or close to the ground. Must remember the back is not happy when it has to get up from a squatting position without help. And, to try and remember to take my camera next time I go for a walk.

My New Dog, Teli

Posted by on December 10, 2011 No comments

I know, I’ve been bad again not writing in my own blog. I have just been so busy trying to update the web site, writing in the Colonial Zone News Blog and making the newest blog in the collection, The Dominican Dog Blog.

I got a dog, thus the Dog Blog. Her name is Inteliperra. Not inteligente, which means smart, I figured inteli – GENTE means smart person cause it says Gente which maens people. My dog is not a gente she is a perra so I called her Inteli – PERRA. Get it? For short she is just Teli.

Teli the Dominican Dog She is smiling in this picture. Isn’t she cute?

She is the normal type of dog breed you see in the streets here in Dominican Republic. Wiry, thin, tan with the black face. They call them here Boca Negra (Black Mouth), Vida Latta (sort of lives out of a tin can which also means a mixed breed). She looks alot like a Belgin Malinois. But no matter what she is I fell in love with her after a few days of her living with me on November 3rd. Now she is my baby and she stole my heart.

She is a bit of a nervous dog. She knows how to walk on the leash and I have taught her lots of tricks. I know her other owner taught her stuff too. (She was found in a park when she was a puppy almost dead, was rescued and brought back to health and loved, then the family had to move to a smaller home and couldn’t keep her, this is how she came to live with me). She likes to hang out on the sofa when I am working and she always likes to be where I am.
Teli hanging on the sofa

I have been working with her but she is so nervous and frightened. When she gets in the fright mode she doesn’t hear anything. She just wants to get home. She is much better but she still needs lots of work and love. She doesn’t like open doors when we pass them in the street. Any sudden noise she goes crazy. The rustling of the palm trees she gets nervous. When we pass the school and she hears all the noise inside she gets nervous. She hates when there is a marching group in the street. She is afraid of the washing machine. She wont come to the living room when I have laundry hanging on the enclosed balcony. She doesn’t like waving flags. Sometimes I think she sees ghosts when she jumps at nothing. But I am working with her.

She needs to get calm so she can work her business being a tour guide here in Colonial Zone. She is working on being the mascot for the Zone. She already has her own park, Plaza Pellerano Castro, where if you want to meet her, she is usually walking around there in the evening. She has her own Colmado where she is the Mascot it is across from her park, Colmado Omar I. Common down and she will always accept 10 pesos of salami if you want to buy. Just remember, you have to ask me first before you give her a treat. She is not allowed to accept stuff from strangers unless I say its OK first.

You might also see her in her favorite place to go to the bathroom, in front of the Forteleza Ozama on Calle Las Damas. She gets to go to the bathroom in front of one of the oldest forts in the new world and on the oldest street. She also likes to walk in the church yard at the Cathedral, the oldest in the new world and the Plazoleta de los Curas because it is usually quiet there.

So if you want to keep up on the Dominican Dog, Teli. Please check her blog, The Dominican Dog blog. Also if you want to adopt your own dog please consider a shelter dog. They are such a blessing and they need so much love and will give it as well. There are many shelters here in Dominican Republic. If you want to adopt a dog here send me an email and I can direct you to many of the places here in Santo Domingo.

How can you resist this face?
Telis lovely face