I’m dog-sitting for Jon and Francisco again today. The dogs accepted me immediately this time without barking. They sought out a snack from me right away by nosing my food bag.
I’m the Snack Giver, so I’m family!
They’re barking right now because the lawn care attendant is outside doing some spraying, but that’s normal watch dog behavior, not incessant.
I’ve been able to capture a few wild bird images so far this morning.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1824998368185278
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1227600312764588
https://www.facebook.com/reel/859988246684286
https://www.facebook.com/674337914/videos/pcb.10164387220252915/2063267947762179
I’m hoping to see some larger species today if the smaller ones don’t eat all the papaya before they get here. That’s a distinct possibility! I see the bigger birds flying nearby, so maybe they’ll come down soon enough to partake.
The hummingbirds are here, too.
I brought food, drinks and snacks this time
Alice has separation anxiety, so I don’t want to leave her and Thio locked outside on the patio while I walk to the mini mart above to buy something as I have during previous stays. The whole idea of being here is to make sure they’re content and to let them go beyond the patio gate when they want to relieve themselves. Jon insists I can help myself to any food that’s here in the house, but I don’t really want to do that.
Selfies with Dale and Crystal Rose Garrison
I took a couple of selfies with Dale and Crystal this morning before they left for a beach (I think Playa Jaco’) with Jon and Francisco.
Look how freakin’ happy Crystal looks since coming out as her true self. I only wish she hadn’t felt the need to wait so long to do it. All of the people who loved her before she came out as transgender love her still.
Her revelation wasn’t even a surprise to me. Ever since I’ve known her, I’ve acknowledged her essence — a girly girl through and through.
And she’s living in the right country now, for sure! Costa Rica is Catholic for the most part, but in no way Puritan or squeamish about people who live authentic lives according to their internal guidance.
My gorgeous friend Crystal Rose
It’s refreshingly different here. Pura vida!
ELUSIVE BIRDIES
It’s difficult to get good photos of these birds with this smartphone camera. I have to get so close to the feeder that it scares them away. It’s a crying shame. There are magnificient-looking birds here. Vibrant colors, unique calls…
I just saw the small orange-bodied one again. There’s a brief video of it above, but I’m aching to catch a still image of it. It’s absolutely stunning.
BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK
Last night while lying in bed I decided to check my blood pressure again because I haven’t in a while. It was 123/58, 104/54 and finally 114/56. (I usually take it three times within five minutes. Don’t ask why. There’s no rhyme or reason to it.) You can’t get any better than that without falling into low blood pressure!
I’m one fortunate individual to be almost 75 years old without high blood pressure or other chronic conditions other than a clotting factor that requires Warfarin and blood tests for my INR level every month or so. I also take a daily thyroid tablet. That’s the total of my prescription medications.
The dogs are paranoid again
I went outside to sit in the rocking chair for a little while (literally less than five minutes) and the dogs became territorial again and started barking at me through the window screen. And they remained territorial when I came back into the house.
Sheesh!
What is it gonna take to convince them I’m always safe??? I’ve never encountered this kind of behavior before. It’s a conundrum.
Additional treats don’t solve the dilemma
Now when I get up from the table chair here, they bark loud warnings again and growl unless they make the first move by getting restless and needing to go outside. Their behavior doesn’t imtimidate me in the least but it’s hard on my eardrums. I will bring my travel ear plugs next time! (I thought about fishing them out of my luggage for this time, but didn’t.) Until I figure them out and the barking stops, I need to protect what’s left of my hearing!
THE DOGS FIGURED IT OUT AGAIN
All is peace and tranquility again… *sigh*
BACK HOME NOW…
So I’ll hit PUBLISH so you can read this without further ado!