First stop, Oak Ridge. From there we split into 4 groups and went to different schools. I went with Abraham and Addy and Sarah out to Pandytown.

They love cameras

cute boys

Her hair was all in neat little pony tails

They saw sports equipment in my car

mass pandemonium

lining up waiting for shoes

TOMS rocks

This was in Pandytown where we fit shoes.

Classroom

despite the fact it’s lethal, it’s still in use

Teachers desk and chair

Fitting shoes

There were ceiling fans but none of them worked. Of course.

This was my first hug.

Wall with hole clear through it

Then we were off to Punta Gorda. This was a big school.

The school yard. All of the schools have pulperias, little stores that sell candy and chips, not a healthy thing in them.

shoes shoes shoes

My friend Sarah, she also writes for Women Who Live on Rocks

word.

This was a school near our house, up on the hill.

Addy from Canada

Desk graveyard

so adorable

we fit these shoes outside..

This was the last stop for the day. The next morning we met at Punta Gorda and some of us split off and went to Jonesville. This school is W A Y up on a hill and it’s a really huge school. They even have a computer room with computers in it. Three levels of classrooms and a huge open area on the lower level.

On the way to Jonesville

shoe tree

Abandoned buildings on school grounds

Walkway up to school

rickety stairs

Jonesville school

I was amazed at the bathrooms, damn near civilized. So much more than most of the schools.

view from 3rd floor of school

the line up

Back to Punta Gorda for lunch

view from restaurant

Right alongside the road

Milton Bight

Many mothers bring their babies and hang out at the school while their kids are there.

waiting for shoes

names on the wall

silhouette of 2 kids outside the room

This was the last school for the day in Las Fuertes. Nidia asked if I wanted to skip it because it’s pretty far past my house. I said, “no, I’ll go there too.”

We got the desks set up and then they decided to use benches so we moved the desks outside.

In the process of moving the desks out on the open area I saw a dog limping across the schoolyard. I thought she just had a limp until she got closer and I saw the open wound on her paw. She was trying to get up in a trash can looking for food. I had some cheese in my lunch bag so I fed it to her, she damn near bit me she was so hungry. I was freaking out so I called Bill and my first words were, “there is a dog here and I’m taking her.” I went to the store and got a bag of Fritos to lure her closer to me. Two little girls were helping me. I handed the one the bag of chips and my keys and scooped the dog up and put her in the back of my car. I called Bethany, the vets assistant and told her what was going on, She said to come at 7:30 the next day.

I honestly think I went to that school for a reason, to find Frito and help her. Another time I was in the right place at the right time. Just like being behind the truck that hit Highway.

When I got home I fed her and offered her water. She ate all of her food and chowed down some yogurt. Her paw was a mess, it was swollen 3 times the size it should be and was a huge open wound with the bone sticking out. Our friend Cleo brought some old clean sheets and a pillow and I made her a bed in a large dog crate. We fed her again and carried her to go potty but she didn’t go. I gave her some chicken broth just to get liquid in her and she drank all of that. I have never seen a dog so dirty or flea infested, she was way worse than Lola. We penned her in the crate all night so nothing would bother her. She was quiet as a mouse. I decided to name her Frito, since I fed her some so I could snatch her. The next morning we took her to the vets. She was sitting up in the back of the car looking out. Doc sedated her and then tried as hard as he could to push the bone back in but he couldn’t get it to go. After further inspection he realized that the bone itself was infected and that she needed an amputation. I knew all along that was going to happen but prayed there would be a better outcome. Later that day Bill and I took her down to the ferry and sent her over to Le Ceiba to the doctor’s clinic. She was picked up by another vet there. They were to do the surgery the next morning but it didn’t happen. She had to have several baths to get her clean and they had to get the room sterilized. They were operating this morning (Friday.) I was headed to the therapist for my arm and was going to Umbul Umbul on the way. I cried the whole way from the ferry to the store. Just sobbed. All I have been able to think about is Frito and how scared she must be and how much pain she may be in. I know this is the best thing for her and that she will live a good life when she comes home because I am going to spoil the hell out of her.

So yes, we will have 4 dogs and a cat. I am that person.

My new girl, Frito.

This is her happily stoned on her way to the ferry.

She is to come home on the ferry on Monday. I can’t wait.

And then there is this one.

She jumps up on the new plastic table we got (because she was chewing on the good one) and looks in the window at me.

I slid the screen open and she crawled in and stood on my laptop.

Because Lola can jump up on the table I have DOG NOSE ART on my house windows,

She is getting big and she is STILL PEEING!!!

We are finishing the painting in the guest condo. Alexi cleaned window tracks and Bill made a single bed frame today that Alexi will paint. My cleaning gal comes next week and then I can decorate and get ready for our guests who arrive in 2 weeks. I can’t wait!!!

Happy weekend  everyone!