2020. The year when the world changed.

Living in Tepoztlan, Mexico gave me a rather unique view of what was unraveling around the world. Tucked in a valley only 2 hours south of Mexico City reading and watching what was transpiring because of COVID seemed surreal. Countries were in lock down. Flights were cancelled. Masks became mandatory. Vaccinations were recommended by health authorities. Businesses were forced to close. Life would never be the same. We seemed relatively untouched by this pandemic that the world now faced. It should be noted that Mexico never closed it’s border to visitors, the doors were always open if you could find a way here due to cancellations by the airlines. Slowly the number of deaths associated with the virus were on the rise in Mexico. Do not misunderstand me here, I am sad for many people who lost their loved ones but the forced restrictions which forever changed many people lives should never have happened.

I was due to depart from Mexico in March as my 180 day visa would expire but was unable due to absolutely zero flights to Canada. And even crazier entry rules into Canada which were INSANE. I had to be vaccinated even before considering booking any flight when they became available. One needs to ask if all the restrictions, the collapsing of day to day life had any real affect on stopping the virus. For example: the 3-foot rule – stand at least 3 feet from any person in public. Well that’s great. Line up to get on your flight with your mask on. Then you are loaded into a metal tube and are seated beside a complete stranger. One must keep a mask on during flight BUT you can remove it to eat or drink?! In hindsight, I would say no it did not. Yes the vaccinations prevented many people from succumbing to the virus but it also as reports are now being written did more harm than good to many people. If I could turn the clock back, I would not have taken the vaccine. I would hunker down, brave the storm and perhaps live forever in Mexico. Both my roommate and I became sick – a 24/48 really bad flu. Was it COVID? Yes we think it was although we were never tested. BUT, I cannot turn the clock back, so I had to do what was demanded so I could travel.

Life continued in Tepoztlan. Because of the climate in Mexico, many restaurants are outside with less restrictions so it made it easier to meet up with friends for a weekly catch-up. Never while facing this pandemic did I feel threatened. Some friends were more cautious than others but we never stopped livin’ the dream. One cannot live in fear but many did. Literally a total fuck-up.

That said for the next nine months until I could fly again, I became engrossed in my garden. I wanted to cover as much as possible with local plants that have proven to survive the climate here. My roommate was amazed at the transformation and gladly brought home all sorts of succulents for me to plant. Teaching the dogs to stay out of the newly planted garden though was a challenge. Seven knew better as he had a few years with me in Ontario and learned not to touch mum’s garden. The others knew it was a big no-no to dig but they just could not help themselves. One would think with almost an acre of land there would be plenty of places to dig but no, they had to help mum. With perseverance and determination though my garden started to take shape. Stella did have her favourite place to lay and I could not stop that. Perhaps she was making sure no critters would get beyond her ever watchful eye and enter the house!

Spot moved to Helen’s house in late January. Poor Helen. Helen is a cat lady although she loved her dog who recently passed, it had been awhile since she had a puppy so this was a whole new game for her. Spot was happy. Helen’s cats not so much. She gave it her best, but Spot did come back to the roost, more on that later.

Zero and Six were easily settling into the routine at Ixcatapec. Stella loved the fact she had dogs her size to play with and play they did. Border collies traditionally and normally do not “play” with other dogs. They will tolerate their existence but they really are loners. My beautiful Delphi & Devon grew up together and enjoyed each other but never played together like you see a lot of dogs do. Seven is no different. He is tolerant with all the dogs but never plays with them, except when Stella first arrived. He had his own thing going, his frisbee. That did not stop Six trying though. They have their moments and all the dogs know that if Seven speaks, he means business. He hardly ever barks but when he does, all of us are on high alert.

Eight was never really happy about the puppies. In fact I would say she disliked them immensely. Eight was a Belgian Shepherd and a beautiful one with a wonderful personality. Sadly we started to see a decline in Eight’s health. She was eating just fine but her weight loss was very concerning. There was a mass on her head that appeared to be getting larger. Fabian called the vet, it was time. Jose came to the house to examine her (I love my Mexican vets) and the last thing he wanted to do was to euthanize her. But upon seeing her, it was the only choice. Fabian was distraught. He had saved her from an awful situation and now had to face her passing. Eight fought hard and clung to life as long as she could but finally her body was in no more pain. All the dogs after she passed came to say good bye. Here is the video of their good-bye. Now you tell me that dogs don’t have emotions? I say you are a liar and have no idea. We buried her in the garden with enough for her to present herself to the gods. Eight you were a beauty and I am glad that I was able to spend time with you while you were here. Run free now forever.