A Boy and his Dog

I could tell you about our studies of the skeletal system in our Anatomy class this week, all the fractions we did in math, dance classes, fascinating facts we learned about Ancient Rome (like crazy Caligula trying to have his horse appointed as senator - Lu got a real kick out of that), or about how Lu did all his schoolwork by himself today. But instead, I'm going to share the most important thing that happened this week.

We got a puppy.

Her name is Achik, 

which means "Dream" in the local Mayan language of our village.

She appeared on our doorstep last Saturday, in a cardboard box, with a letter asking us to please adopt her. This was thanks to some friends who knew we were looking for an addition to our pack, now four strong.

The friends knew we were looking for a homeless mutt, and that's what they found us. She was a frightened, malnourished puppy rescued from the street and in need of love when she arrived.

At first she would only eat from our hands if we held the food very close to her. She wouldn't eat from the bowl, as if she didn't believe it was for her.

 

 

With lots of love and gentle insistence, 

Lu has managed to turn her into a trusting, playful puppy in days. 

She's very interested in the older dogs,

though they seemed a bit off-put by her presence at first.

She's been eating so well, and has been so much more animated, 

that today we decided she was ready for a bath.

Lu has been very responsible about feeding and caring for his new puppy, and it has been beautiful to watch.

Yesterday he said:
"It feels great to know that she will have a better life because of me."