The Decision: It's A Dog's World!

The Decision: It's A Dog's World!: Marley Taz and Yuki  My animals are so important to me that they were a major reason I moved to Colombia, South America. I had always...

The Decision: It's A Dog's World!

The Decision: It's A Dog's World!: Marley Taz and Yuki My animals are so important to me that they were a major reason I moved to Colombia, South America. I had always...

It's A Dog's World!

Marley

Taz and Yuki 

My animals are so important to me that they were a major reason I moved to Colombia, South America. I had always wanted to retire to a farm and have lots of animals. Moving to Colombia has fulfilled that dream! I just moved to Villa Migelita, (an agricultural farm) with my original three dogs, and have three more that I have adopted in the last 8 months. Farm living agrees with my animals, and with me! They have unlimited space to play and socialize, and I have peace of mind knowing that they all will live happy lives. I was very worried about where I was going to live before I moved here, and I knew I could not afford the upkeep on a home with land in Florida. It has been a win/win situation, one that has brought peace of mind to me and a wonderful living environment for my animals.

Colleen after I picked her up from the cargo area

When  I first arrived in Colombia, I had hoped to move right to a farm, however it was not meant to be. Colleen was exhausted from the trip here in the cargo hold, and she needed to have a safe living area to relax in. My rented house fulfilled that for her, but I so much wanted to have her live the rest of her life on a farm where she could wander around and her thick coat would not be too hot. The mountains have done wonders for her health, and she no longer looks exhausted. My other dogs are so loving and kind with her, it sometimes brings tears to my eyes. Colleen is 13 years old , and going strong!

Taz sitting at a restaurant

Then there is my Taz, he is a Rat Terrier who holds a special place in my heart..and my bed. Taz is my only dog who sleeps in my bed, and anywhere he can jump up and get under covers! I never cared until I moved to Colombia and he learned he could run with the street dogs! If you live in the United States, street dogs are picked up and brought to shelters, here they roam free. It is unfortunate that other countries do not have the same education on spay/neuter programs as we do in the USA. I see that the dogs are not treated badly, and they live from scraps and people setting food out for them. However, the female dogs are very abused by other male dogs and do not have long life spans if they are not adopted. My first dog I rescued here is a callejera (street dog) by the name of Nayela. She just showed up on my front patio July 4th, and I kept her. She was a little bitty puppy, and now is a great watch dog on the farm. She is always first to bark at any noise, and alerts the other dogs. Taz is thrilled for his freedom and learned to run with the other street dogs within a month of moving to Colombia. I gave up really fast trying to contain him. Dogs really do not need leashes here and can go with you to restaurants and any store. 

Marley is my other Collie and one of the kindest dogs I have ever owned. He goes with the flow, and Nayela is his constant companion. He never growls at the other dogs or tries to take their food, and only wants to please. He is so beautiful to look at that he is constantly remarked on by the Colombian people when we are out. Marley and Colleen always were on leashes before we moved to the farm, as they do not understand that you have to move when a car comes! Now , well they are free to wander aimlessly all day if they so desire. Marley spends his days now laying in the sun or shade, and he also enjoys the mild temperatures of the Colombian mountains!

Orion

Yuki is a Bull Terrier (or a Boston Terrier) that was found digging in the trash. He is so calm, he often falls asleep sitting up. He has to be watched constantly, and can not be allowed to go with me on walks as he gets easily distracted and wanders off. He can never get enough food, and needs to wear a little doggie outfit for warmth. Taz and Yuki are good friends (which is unusual, as Taz likes to be left alone) , they often sleep next to each other, and where there is one you will usually find the other on the farm!

The last dog that I adopted here in Colombia, was given to me by my neighbor the night before my move. I think the word was out that I liked dogs by now! He is an American Staffordshire Terrier, and is the biggest dog I have ever owned! I gratefully accepted him with a big smile because I had wanted a guard dog for the farm. I had thought I was going to have to buy a Rottweiler, but Orion was perfect. The fact that I rescued him only made it nicer. His prior owners lived in a normal sized home, and he was way too big and needed too much exercise for them to keep in a home without a big yard. They even gave the papers with him and his shot history. He is gentle with the other dogs, and very loyal to me. I definitely would not want to come upon him while looking for trouble.

Nayela

Taz, Colleen, and Marley(my original 3 dogs)

So we all are living peacefully on Villa Migelita, my original three dogs plus three more rescues. I am now hoping to expand my animal family to include horses, cows, chickens, ducks and a goat! Before I forget, I also have 2 cats Cloudy and Franchesca who complete the family, we all hope to live happily ever after here at Villa Migelita!

The Decision: For the love of horses

The Decision: For the love of horses: I learned to ride as a little girl at a friends ranch in Florida. I used to visit this friend every weekend and ride her horse. I also have ...

The Decision: For the love of horses

The Decision: For the love of horses: I learned to ride as a little girl at a friends ranch in Florida. I used to visit this friend every weekend and ride her horse. I also have ...

For the love of horses

I learned to ride as a little girl at a friends ranch in Florida. I used to visit this friend every weekend and ride her horse. I also have a cousin who owned a horse named Honey. I loved Honey and visiting my Aunt Katie every summer for two weeks. I would run outside across a small field to give Honey  a carrot every day while enjoying my special time with my Aunt and her family. I have fond memories of Honey and those summer vacations, leaving me with a suppressed yearning to have a horse of my own. I have never missed an opportunity to ride as my life has gone forward. When I moved to Colombia, I found myself surrounded by horses. In my past blog I mentioned how I was delighted that I found sweet horses grazing in front of my home (you can read it here http://migelitaincolombia.blogspot.com/2012/01/glorious-heartwarming-wonderful.html?spref=bl) during my first days in Colombia.

Horses hold their back foot posed and ready to prance

stables

On Mother's Day in 2011 I was invited by family here in Colombia to go to a restaurant and watch beautifully trained horses show off their talents. Colombian riding is quite different than what I learned as a child, the horses prance and the rider holds the reins to keep them in steps of dance-like moves. The sound of the shoes hitting the pavement can be heard in any small town as even horses on farms prance this way. The rider sits tall in the saddle and directs the horse in beautiful symmetric moves. We ate a wonderful meal while watching displays of Colombian riding. Afterwards we walked the stables behind the restaurant to see and pet the horses , and anyone could go for a ride if they so desired. I vowed that day I would have a horse when I was able to move to a farm.

If you read my past blog Playing tourist in Palmira Valle del Cauca  (http://migelitaincolombia.blogspot.com/2011/12/playing-tourist-in-palmira-valle-del.html) I mentioned  El Paraiso area and the home to visit. This area is a center for locals to visit and enjoy on the weekends. I go there often to wander the booths of food and to ride a horse. The horses are friendly, in perfect health, and

hores waiting under the trees

waiting for riders

a rider can go with their own private guide for a long ride through the mountains. They have little horses for the children, delightfully sweet, to teach your little ones as young as a baby ( I see fathers holding infants on horseback here) to get used to the feel of a horse. In Colombia, animals are part of life and children grow up with the knowledge of riding and the love of animals. After your ride, wander across to the park and have one of the fruit concoctions that our sold with ice cream! Delicious! People watching is a must, and the children playing in the steam brings a smile to your face. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday in Palmira!

I have met people here while looking at farms and just sitting on my front patio of my home who invite me to ride. They will always go with you or send an escort to guide you on your way. The people of Colombia are warm and friendly and love to show their hospitality to any person visiting their country. I have had many chances to ride, one of the most memorable overlooking the small town of St Elena where I live, at sunset. I was transported to another time while I rode the horse up a mountain path. I sometimes feel I am on a movie set here, the green of the grass, the blue of the sky, the sun peeking through clouds, makes for memories that will stay in my mind as I grow older. I never miss an opportunity to photograph horses along my travels. Mothers with babies, horses in pastures the mountains looming behind while they graze.

If you love horses, then you will have many opportunities to ride, watch or just pet them. What is better than the soft nose of a horse, the sweet way they move their ears, the magnificence of their demeanor? I can never get enough of them. In the future I will have my own, a lifelong dream.