Gone to the dogs
May 21, 2008 Posted by: ERIN

Two weekends ago marked the grand opening of the San Salvador Pet Clinic, or as I like to call it, the SSPC. I mentioned a while back that I had contacted a veterinarian in Nassau who was willing to fly here and see to our dogs health needs. He had also expressed interest in holding a clinic for other pet owners on the island, and we happily set him up with a lab and exam space here at the field station.

The entire endevour was very sucessful. Joba and Zipper both got all the shots and paperwork they need to travel back to the states, and Dr. Grant also treated about 8 other dogs from the community. One minor setback was that Zipper was also supposed to be neutered, but after a blood test it was determinted that he has a moderate case of heartworms. Dr. Grant didn't want to take the risk of giving him the anesthesia required for the surgery until the heartworms have been cleared up. He suggested that since Zipper will be traveling back to the states with us during Tom's vacation this summer that we have him treated there (the treatment requires several doses over several weeks), and assured me that Zipper is otherwise a very "healthy and vibrant" dog who will be just fine until then. So you might say that Zipper got a bit of a reprieve, at least for now.

But the best part is that Dr. Grant was so pleased with the facilities here that he has committed to coming back on a regular basis! (Hence, the need to come up with a fancy acronym.) This is such fantastic news for the animals of the island, and we are so excited to be a part of it. His trips will probably end up being two or three times a year, and he'll offer a range of services from general exams to spay/neuter surgeries. He is even going to train Tom and me in basic veterinary care and leave us with supplies in hopes that we can take care of any straightforward needs that may arise. Tom already got his first lesson in giving doggie shots (since I don't do well with needles), and is scheduled to give Carlo the rest of his puppy vaccine series over the next several weeks. (You remember Carlo, the mack daddy of our litter, right?)

So like I said, it was very successful, even more so than I had hoped. In time, we also hope to extend veterinary services to the many strays on the island. Those dog populations could really benefit from some spaying and neutering, and there is plenty of room for some quality of life improvements.

In other potacke news, on Friday Joba and I depart on our epic journey to the states. Joba has become somewhat of a celebrity around the field station (he is very gregarious), so he will be missed by many. But he is very excited to get settled with his Mama Liz and Papa Adam, not to mention his kitty brothers. I've never traveled by air with a dog before, so it should be an adventure. And then I'll be staying for almost two weeks with my family, so I'll be able to help Joba make the transition to American dog life (less playing with coconuts, more trips to the dog park). Wish us a bon voyage!

Karen in San Sal
May 15, 2008 Posted by: ERIN

Last week, my oldest and dearest friend Karen came to visit. She and I grew up next door to each other, and this was the first time since high school that we've had the chance to spend more than a few hours together. Her trip was a graduate school graduation gift from her parents, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank her parents very, very much for sending their lovely daughter to San Salvador. (I would also like to thank her father for teaching her to make his famous sauce ... I hadn't tasted that deliciousness in years!)

In short, we had a blast. Our days were full, yet relaxing. We went to a different beach every day and visited Zipper's progeny all over the island. We took the doggies for long walks and swam and basked in the sun. Karen bought some awesome Bahamain straw goods and went snorkeling for the very first time. And not realizing she was afraid of heights, I even made her climb the lighthouse. Then our evenings consisted pre-dinner aperitifs courtesy of Tom, episodes of Grey's Anatomy, puppy snuggling, and rousing battles of Pass the Pigs. It was so nice to catch up with all the goings on in Karen's life and to have a girlfriend to babble to all day long. I miss her already, and I hope she comes back very soon.

Kima Update!
May 3, 2008 Posted by: ERIN

I heard from Annette yesterday, and she says that Kima is doing great! The transition to her new home went very smoothly, and as you can see, she is loving her canine and feline sibs. I imagine those Northern California waters are a little cooler than she was accustom to, but knowing her, she'll toughen up in no time. And doesn't her new big sister look a lot like Zipper?