Quite the Week For Me Here in Cuenca by Star

Wow! This has been quite the week for me. It started last Sunday when Java's parents brought him to stay with us because they had to go back to Canada for a few weeks. Sunday was fine, although I don't like to share my house or mom and dad, so I had to get used to that.

Monday mom and dad took Java and me to the park and I noticed Java wouldn't run much or play with me. Well, he kept getting worse and worse and by Wednesday Java couldn't get up. It was really tough to get him out to do his business. I tried to nudge him up, but it took both mom and dad to pick him up and take him to the front yard. So I, like a good nurse, stayed with him all the time just watching over him from a distance.

Mom and I slept downstairs on the floor with Java just to ensure he was OK. Mom and dad were really worried and so was I. I checked on him frequently and smelled him to find out what was wrong with him. Sometimes he didn't like it.

Thursday evening mom decided to give him some of her homeopathic remedies. By Friday afternoon when she took him to the vet with Caty, my groomer, he was all better. We were all touched by Caty's generosity and her caring for Java's well being. She took mom and Java to the vet she uses, Dr. Fabrizzio Guerrero who according to my mom is also a very caring and competent vet. I guess I will have to go meet him soon.

Yesterday I had a conversation with Java about doing yoga. I told him that he wouldn't be in this situation if he practiced everyday like I do with my mom. I even showed him how to do my favorite pose, but as you can see, he wasn't interested in the least.

Thankfully Java got all better, and he is now running around like nothing happened to him.

But that was not all that happened this week. Remember our defender, Scarface, well Monday he came around and he had a really bad wound. My mom cleaned it and used some of her natural stuff to help him out. But she wanted to take him to the vet. Scarface has an owner and so dad reminded her that she wasn't supposed to take another person's dog to the vet without their knowing. Mom was devastated and I sympathized with her because poor Scarface's wound was really bad. Mom fed him, as she always does, did what she could about the wound and then let him go, praying that the owner would take him to the vet.

The next day it was obvious that he had not been taken to vet, and there was no stopping mom. We all had to go see Scarface's owner and mom begged him to take him to vet. She apologized for getting involved in his business and told him she just couldn't help herself since she was afraid Scarface was going to lose his eye. He said he would take him in 20 minutes. Mom and dad knew that, unfortunately, he was not going to do it. Many people here in Cuenca just tell you what they think you want to hear. So mom kept doing what she could for Scarface who didn't seem to be bothered at all by his horrible wound. It's amazing how strong dogs are here in Ecuador. Scarface is my friend and I felt really bad for him, but I didn't fret like mom did. She needs to learn that she can't change the world, that the only person to change is herself, but this seems to be a really hard lesson for her.

Yet, after all these heartaches, the week ended better, thank God. Java is all better. Scarface's wound has continued to improve; and, yesterday we went to see Luna's pups. I really like puppies except when they pull my tail or try to bite my neck.They have really sharp teeth, you know?
 

 But, even I have to admit that these pups are very cute.

After playing with the pups we went to Parque Paraiso and, as usual, I loved it! I even met a new friend so that was really fun. Java did well walking to the park and then we both chilled while mom and dad talked to other Americans who gather there every Saturday afternoon.

Today my week came to an end in a great way. One of my readers friends, LT, came to Cuenca from the States and brought me some of my favorite treats. I knew the moment mom got the bag out of her backpack and just couldn't wait. I even shared a couple with Java. I can't wait to meet LT and thank her.

As I said before, this was quite the week!

Misunderstandings In Cuenca Can Have BIG Consequences by Star

Remember when I shared with you the type of misunderstanding my parents had here in Cuenca, well they were all minor considering what happened to my friend Luna. Mom started taking me to play with Luna almost as soon as we arrived in Cuenca. What I didn’t know then is that Luna was in heat… I had no idea what that meant then, although by now I pretty much know what that’s all about. I just enjoyed Luna’s company so very much. One day, however, Matias, a huge Golden Retriever and a neighbor of Luna, came to visit. He wanted nothing to do with me, thank God! but had this strange way of playing with Luna. Luna really didn’t want him to do the things he wanted to do to her, but Matias is BIG, and getting him away from Luna took the efforts of my mom and Luna’s mom and they lost. It was quite funny really to see these women trying to mount this dog who looks more like a horse and pull him away from Luna. Yet, besides being entertaining, I still had no idea what was going on.

My mom told me that Luna’s mom had made sure that Matias was fixed. She doesn’t speak much Spanish but knows the word “castrado,” which has something to do with a male dog’s private parts. Boy, am I glad I’m a girl! Matias’ parents don’t speak English, but their daughter apparently does. At any rate, Luna’s mother asked Matias’ parents whether he was “castrado” or neutered. They smiled, moved their heads in agreement, and said “si, si, si.” Apparently this is the polite way some human Cuencanos communicate that they don’t understand a hoot. Luna’s mom told mine that she also looked for Matias’ balls and couldn’t find them… That really got me… what the heck do tennis balls have to do with all of this? But, the assumption was that there was no harm done. Harm? What are they talking about?

Weeks later we all started to notice changes in Luna. Her mom thought that Luna was suffering from canine false pregnancy. I listened to them talk wondering what on earth they were saying, but I know that sometimes they talk about lots of weird stuff that I don’t understand. The one thing I knew for sure was that my friend Luna wasn’t the same. 

One day, Matias came to visit again. My mom went to get him out and the same funny episode played out again. This time, however, mom was helped by Matias’ trainer. So, mom decided to ask him whether or not Matias had been neutered. Yep, you guessed it… there was nothing false about Luna’s pregnancy.

Three weeks ago my sweet friend Luna had six adorable puppies. I have gone to visit them twice. At first they looked like rats or “cuy,” the Ecuadorian name for guinea pig, but these little fellows smelled really nice. This past week they were already willing to play and they now look like real puppies. Luna is ready to play again, although she has some big things hanging out her belly. Soon the puppies will be ready for their forever homes, so please, if you want to be the proud owner of one of Luna’s wonderful pups or know someone who does, let us know. Check a couple of them out... how can you resist?

There is good in everything, and these puppies are just wonderful; but, come on people, let’s learn some Spanish!

Getting Prettied Up in Cuenca by Star

I'm very happy right now because I look great. I even got a pink bandana on that Caty, my new dog groomer, gave me.

It was about time that my mom found someone in Cuenca to pretty me up. It had been almost three months since I went to the beauty parlor at Brother Wolf in Asheville. I looked pretty messy, specially my paws. But mom somehow knows how to find the very best wherever we are; and, here in Cuenca, she found Caty Carrasco.

Getting beautiful is not pleasant all the time. I like the results, but they have to go way too close to my very private places; and, I also have to hold real still for a long time. Of course, having a mom like mine doesn't make it any easier... she has to take pictures of these embarrassing moments and forces me to publish them here for everyone to see.

I love Caty. She knows her stuff; she is very sweet and has a very special way with dogs, after all she has 14! She also comes to the house so I don't have to wait in a pen, a crate or anything. I'm like mom; I rather not wait at the beauty parlor. So, having Caty come here is the best way to get pretty, that's for sure.

Caty speaks English too, and this is a plus because, like dad, I'm still learning Spanish. So, I liked it when she called me "pretty girl." If you are in Cuenca and need a trim, a bath or your nails done, make sure your mom contacts Caty. I promise you'll like her!

You can contact Caty Carrasco at cjcarrasco@yahoo.com . She called my mom right back and was here right on time. She's a real jewel.

Around Cuenca, Another GREAT Day by Star

These outings that Efrain (from MIO Tours) plans for us are just incredible! I had another wonderful day last Friday with my buddy Java.

Mom says this was a particular special tour because we got to see where some battles were fought by Sucre and Simon Bolivar and that my grandfather would have loved it.

Our first stop was El Portete but mom kept calling it El Porquete and Parquete and many other names confusing everyone in the end. But they laughed a lot with all this name calling. I tell you, these humans can be quite silly sometimes. At any rate, the views from El Portete are just magnificent and I took them all in with awe. You have to go up a pretty good set of stairs towards the monument and I led the way.

But then Java beat me to the lookout... Where the heck was I? Probably sniffing around by the monument...

Check some of the views I took in from up there... awesome, ah!

We were heading towards the area where the sun is shinning in the back... the valley of Yunguilla. But first, we stopped in Giron and went to a very nice museum to hear about the battle of 1829 between Peru and La Gran Colombia which consisted of Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. It was an amazing battle that Sucre with all his strategic smarts won, in spite of having less than half the number of soldiers than Peru.

Efrain had worked it out so Java and I had our own personal guards at the Museum of Giron. I never thought I would have a guard. He was very nice. His name was Diego. Java also had his own guard.

 They walked us around the gardens while our parents had the tour.

I sure would have loved to see inside though. But the gardens were indeed very beautiful. Do you see the row of boots in the picture above? The lady in charge of the museum loves to garden and uses old boots are planters... Pretty neat stuff...

After the museum we went to see the waterfalls, but it was raining so we didn't get to see much. Mom shot some cool pictures of some mountains that looked like the pyramids and of the waterfalls, while Java and I looked out the window wanting to go running around some more.

That doesn't look like rain to us? What's wrong with these folks? Do they think they are going to shrink with a little bit of drizzle? Oh well... so we went on to Yunguilla. Just before we got there we saw where a meteor had landed. Java and I wanted to go to the top of that mountain, but we had to stay in the car again! The humans didn't get out either, so I guess that was fair.

Once we arrived in Yunguilla we went to the Hosteria Sol y Agua, a very nice place where the humans ate lunch. We went for a walk around the property and saw some wild huge birds my mom called ostriches. They also allowed Java and me in the dining room thanks to Efrain.

However, once again we did not partake in the meal. My mom had a salad as usual, and I don't care to share that with her. However I could smell she also had a side of french fries, but none fell down to the floor for me to savor. Dad was another story. He had trout and a huge one, and went on and on about how good it was. Now, I love fish of any kind specially trout...But did he share? No way... that was just too much to bear.

But I am a dog, what can I say? So I quickly forgot my disappointment when we walked around the place.

After this stop, it was time to go home. Java and I were tired so we chilled in the back of the car. Java slept and I used him as my seat to prop me up to look out the window all the way back. What we saw was just too much to explain. We were even blessed with a rainbow. Perhaps one day you will see for yourself, in the meantime I'll share some of the pictures mom took.

And so our trip ended here and we felt blessed and thankful for the experience. We can't wait until we have our next. Mom says we are going to Cajas National Park. But before I leave, I want to share one more shot, this time of Java, Efrain and me.

I Am an Inca Dog in Ecuador by Star

Cojitambo Inca Ruins

A couple of weeks ago I had the best day ever since we arrived in Cuenca.  Our parents took my buddy, Java, and me in a tour of some awesome places close to Cuenca. MIO Tours and Efrain are just the best!!! Here, Java and I are ready to depart...

Our first stop was the Inca Ruins of Cojitambo which is a magical place pretty high up. In Cuenca we are at 8,500 feet while Cojitambo is at 14,500 + feet. But I must be acclimated because I ran and ran and ran through those ruins and up the mountain side by side my friend, Java, without any problems.

There are some awesome views from Cojitambo. Check this out.... No wnder the Incas chose this place... you can see forever from here.

When we got ready to leave I didn't want to go, and all the humans were calling me while I had to get my last run.That was the best part of the day for me by far. From Cojitambo we went to the town of Biblian to check out a church that was built onto this rock mountain.

Our friend and tour guide, Efrain, held us while our parents went in the church. I also wanted to go in, but I couldn't... they should let doggies go in the church. We also want to pray and enjoy the beauty.

But at least I got to check out the view... you can see for miles and miles from this church.

Once our parents had taken lots of pictures it was time to go... or so we thought. But our parents had to buy candles and Java and I had to wait patiently in the car while they lit the candles and said their prayers.

From there we went to what mom called a wonderful restaurant in the town of Paute called Corvel. I wouldn't know if it's good or not since neither Java nor I got anything to eat. Somethings are just not fair! But, at least they brought us water and let us in the place ...that's pretty good in my view. Java and I were happy to just chill and get some rest from all that running around we had done earlier.

After that the meal we stopped at some places where Java and I weren't allowed. So, I'm not talking about these. Mom and the other humans seemed to have enjoyed themselves while Java and I sat in the car. Hmm! Thankfully those were short stops... Then on our way back to Cuenca, Efrain took us the long way through some beautiful country.

After almost eight hours we got back home, tired but happy. This has been, by far, my best day here in Ecuador. And, guess what? Tomorrow we have another one of these tours planned. I can't wait to run with my buddy, Java, see his parents and my friend Efrain again. I wonder what he's got planned for us. I bet you is really fun!