hacer

The days I have worked have been quite repetitve, but as they are dwindling to an end I thought I would write a bit more about them.

Did I mention I paint?  Apparently they think I am a good one at that.  I have been painting walls, fences, gates, cages, you name it.  My arms (and some of my clothes) are now beautiful shades of green, orange and brown.  This brown unfortunately will not wash off in the shower...

As if the men arent bad enough, I had a parrot whistle at me yesterday as I walked past.  Como?!

Other than my daily feeding duties, I pretty much just rake.  Ive been told raking is the work of buddhist monks- and it takes all my willpower mentally and spiritually to endure 3 hours worth.

I have been telling myself I did not choose to volunteer to become a hero, save lives or end war, solely just to help where needed.  I did, however, perform one heroic act and rescued a goat that had its head stuck in the wire fence- so technically I saved one life.  Goats arent the smartest of animals.

Each day, instead, I have been wishing there was something I could do for the stray dogs in the street.  I know this problem exists in other places but I am discouraged.  People have cast out beautiful shepards and labs to now be stepped over and ignored.  But what can one do?  With more time perhaps open a shelter, educate or create an adoption program- but that would also require changing the people.

To do what little I feel I can, I set out this afternoon with a bag of dog food and a jug of water.  Through the second glances I was receiving I had one older man come up to me and say (in spanish) "the people are seeing what you are doing, bravo".

Not requiring any acknowledgment, this, and the trail of dogs following me to my doorstep made it completely worthwhile.