There I was moving, once again, to my new home in Ajijic, alone with my old dog, Cappuccina and my parrot Zorba. Cappuccina, was use to moving so no problem. New house, no yard, Cappuccina, adjusts, goes out on the dirt, where the workers are constructing another house. For days I worried that my old dog was not eating, her dog food, untouched, until I found out, that Cappuccina was having, tortillas, carne, etc., from the construction crew, next door. No wonder she was not eating her dog food, who would?
Before we got here, we went to the Tuesday open air market in San Miguel de Allende. Running around with my daughter in law and son, finding great tops and slacks from vendors for 200 pesos, what a deal..! My son, Matt, was looking also but he wondered into the Dogs for Sale section. There he found, this tiny, black poodle, just big enough to hold in one hand. This cute little animal just stole his heart. Two black eyes, bright and sharp and a shiny black nose and fur. A bundle of Joy. My daughter in law said, "No, we don't need any more animals. Please Matt, let's go." But he insisted that we see this treasure. Obviously, I did not need any more pets but we looked, and I instantly also fell with this small bundle of Joy.
Matt was not to be denied. He had to have the dog, so he bought him for 600 pesos, a four week old, black poodle. He took him home for one night with him. One night was enough for Matt. He was up all night with this small puppy. He called me in the morning, and he was giving him up to the first person who wanted him, his maid. Foolishly, I said, "No, we have to save this small creature, bring him to me." Big mistake, but done. So, Matt drove him to my house. I grabbed him and hugged him. This tiny creature, responded by wagging his tail, and when I placed him on the grass, miraculously, he peed on the lawn. Hallelujah....
I went out and got hamburger for this baby. That night, he slept by my side, pillows guarding him so he would not fall off the bed, and of course, I had to get up every two hours to let him out. Much too cold for me and him, so I had newspapers all over the hallway, and sure enough the dog, understood. A genius for a dog! The baby got sick almost immediately and got the runs, Oh, my God, He is going to die. Nose dry, and up every hour on the hour. He definitely was in trouble, fever and the runs. Next day, I added rice to his diet to slow up the problem, and called the vet. Got to have an injection, ahora! OK, go in at l2:30. We went, got the shot, and a general check up, for 200 pesos. Regrese en dos semanas, come back in two weeks for second shot...if he makes it.
OK, one more night of no sleep, but in the morning, things are looking up. The nose is wet again. Third day, he is getting much better; rice is working, too well. Poor thing, he is constipated, and Mom, that's me, has to clean him up, as he runs to me for help, screaming, when he is in pain. A small spoon of yogurt does the trick, he is all better again. This tiny animal has me at his beck and call. He communicates with his most intelligent eyes. OK. So, I'm crazy, but I know when to take him out, on the paper, or to sleep in my hands.
So, here he is sitting, looking up at me, this helpless creature. Or he runs outside with all the happiness in his entire little body. Kisses and love and fluff. What is his name, Matt suggests Napoleon, or Leon, because he was born in July a Leo. Nah, that is too complicated and too long. Pepe, Yes, Pepe it is. Because he is so full of Pep and it fits. Pepe it is....
My Pepe loves all types of toys, my shoes, and the bed. I have a lot of them, and only one Pepe. I have had many dogs in my life but never a poodle. My mother always loved them. Why, oh why? I ask. Well, now I know, she loved intelligent animals, and Pepe is the most intelligent dog for his small size and age I have ever had.
Yes, I still have Pepe, and he wakes me up, every single morning at seven in the morning on the nose. Physically, on my nose. Pepe can tell time. Ha.Ha.Ha. My sweet, lovable, bright, shining, intelligent, bundle of Joy, My Pepe, the love of my life.
