To Save a Life

Ten miles north of the capital of the Mexican State of Baja California Sur lies the dumping ground of the city’s unwanted canines. This neighborhood grew as a newer extension of the concentrated mid-city development of La Paz that was first explored during a visit in 1535 by Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés.

This still unpaved subdivision was named “El Centenario” after a Mexican gold bullion coin first minted in 1921 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mexico’s independence from Spain. Because of the quieter environment and the larger parcels available, the residents of El Centenario willingly overlook the constant and persistent chore of removing the grunge left behind by all of the airborne desert dust.

Garbage collection here is scheduled twice a week, namely on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The loose, abandoned dogs running about use this routine to tip over the trash receptacles and rifle through the mess for any edible leftovers. Sometimes these now feral animals are joined by others whose owners live on occupied but unfenced properties. The most unpalatable result of this bi-weekly practice are the spent disposable diapers that end up littering the streets. Eventually the sun and the wind work together for a couple of days to mitigate the stench before the cycle repeats itself.

María and her spouse Ody are building a new home located on a lot twelve blocks from the bay on a street named “Cardón”, which is the tallest living cactus in the world. In fact, one of these giants has survived a termite infestation and is still proudly growing in their backyard. Well at first, “Bonita”, a small female dog previously belonging to Don Juan (Ody’s previous landlord when living in Tijuana) had the run of the couple’s garden all to herself. But thanks to the goodwill of María, this scenario was “disturbed” soon after she acquired a second property just three blocks away (and one that much closer to the waters of the Sea of Cortés). Now let’s proceed to the heart of the story.

The additional property is found mid-block on a street named “Palo Fierro”. One afternoon while María was supervising the construction of a stone wall to enclose the new purchase, a motley crew of loose dogs rambled down the street. María took pity on the tiniest of the dirty dogs and was soon to determine that the next door neighbor, Doña Cirila, claimed ownership of this toy poodle. After Cirila accepted an offer of a hundred Mexican pesos for the bitch (about $5 USD), María brought her home to meet Bonita dog. Meanwhile, Ody had been completely left out of the loop during the transaction.

The first task at hand was to give “Corazón” a long overdue bath. After the final rinse, María found Corazon had been transformed from a grubby dark grey to a pure shiny white!. By the way, the direct translation of Corazón to English is “heart”, but if truth be told in this case it means “sweetheart”. The question remained: How would Ody react to this unplanned adoption?

At first, Ody honestly didn’t welcome another mouth to feed in the guise of a second mascot. His only experience with the breed was the whiny poodle named “Gigi” who lived with a neighbor across the street when he was growing up as a kid. However, Corazón was soon to win him over when she learned to shake hands quickly during the span of one brief 15 minute training session. This accomplishment being especially remarkable after considering that his own dog Bonita had never learned the same trick even to this day (and this after several years of failed efforts)!

Not too long after María’s “rescue” of Corazón from her life as a “streetwalker”, so to speak, the other street dogs disappeared from sight. The dog-loving couple soon thereafter were apprised of a rumor being spread that someone disturbed by the growing population of undisciplined dogs had poisoned the entire “manada” (herd). After that tragic occurrence, Corazón became even more dear in the eyes of María and Ody.

Ody began daily evening walks along the city boardwalk that follows the seashore with this pair of man’s best friend. María supplied the cute doggie dresses so that both girls felt like queens for a day during their public excursions. The natives frequently complimented their style and grace.

It was a bonus to find that a poodle does not shed and is considered hypoallergenic. On the other hand, the frequent expense of professional grooming was certainly a downside. To this end, Ody dusted off the electric clippers that originally were meant for him. After watching a few online videos, he felt confident enough to take it upon himself to bathe, comb, and trim Corazón’s curly coat as needed. This made Ody recall the first time he arrived to pick up his other dog Bonita after having contracted for a professional bath and haircut years prior. Understand after several months, Bonita had grown long hair like a lion (similar to Lhasa Apso). Anyway, he had asked for the groomer to give Bonita a “summer cut”. When the groomer completed the task and brought Bonita out to the front counter, Ody was sure they had brought him the wrong dog! The transformation in Bonita’s appearance had taken Ody completely by surprise!

When either precious pet became ill, and especially when one or the other stopped eating, Ody became a nervous wreck. Fortunately, in Mexico most everyone has a pet and veterinary clinics are found everywhere. Corazón’s chronic problem was tearing and staining the fur under the eyes. Not a serious health problem, but rather a common quirk for the breed.

At the beach, Bonita took to the water with a natural dog-paddle, but Corazón was not a willing swimmer. Bonita played fetch with a passion, but once again, Corazón had no interest in such a mundane task. Perhaps her dainty character had something to do with her upbringing. You see, Corazón was a transplant from a community a couple of hours south of La Paz known as Los Cabos. That’s were all the College rich kids spend a wild week during Spring Break. Perhaps in the past this party-girl attitude had rubbed off a little on a spoiled juvenile Corazón?

When María purchased land in the ghost town of “El Triunfo”, Ody was given the undertaking of the supervision of the construction of an ecological cabin on the property. The cabin is situated at the top of a hill and can only be accessed by climbing a narrow foot trail that winds through the brush and cactus. The bulkiest building materials were either carried on the backs of the cement masons or placed in packs slung on a pair of burros for hire. After the basic structure was completed, Ody and his four-legged companions would drive an hour over to the cabin to spend the weekends. That’s where the finale of our story takes place. María chose to stay home, as usual.

One quiet Sunday morning Ody was outside the cabin painting a fence post that he had placed on an empty 55 gallon drum that he used for a table. Of course, at this time the two dogs were at rest. Ody set his brush down momentarily to walk just a few steps away to retrieve his ball cap inside the cabin. At this latitude (tropic of cancer) the sun rays are uncomfortable no matter what the season.

When Ody exited the cabin to resume his painting endeavor, little Corazón had since stood up and was staring very intently at the exact spot where Ody had been previously standing alongside the drum. Ody wondered what all the excitement was about? Just as he was about to step over to retrieve his paint brush, Ody reflexively jumped straight up into the air! He found that Corazón had been warning him about a meter long rattlesnake on the ground which had taken his place! And the diamondback was so well camouflaged that he might never have noticed the poisonous monster without the protective instinctive warning of Corazón.

Ody feverishly locked the pooches inside the cabin and retrieved a shovel. Ody swung at the head of the serpent but landed wide of his mark. Fortunately, the snake had not coiled yet and his second swing landed over the intended target of the intruder’s beady eyes.

It is no exaggeration to say that while María had saved the life of Corazón, now Corazón had very possibly saved the life of Ody! Can there ever be a more appropriate definition of a hound besides “man’s best friend”?