Cobre (Spanish for “Copper”), our new dog, has been a joy, but also a bit of a challenge…

His early history is somewhat vague. Our friends found him living on the streets in San Antonio Tlaycapan. He would join them and their two dogs for daily walks. Soon, they decided to take him in and nurse him back to health. (He had a couple dog bites and looked thin.) Their gardener knew of the dog and confirmed that he had been abandoned. Before long, his wonderful disposition and good looks impressed everyone who met him. But one of their existing dogs was very jealous. And besides, three dogs was just one too many. Leigh convinced me to have him come stay with us. He moved in the 1st of January.

Our challenges have included (many, multiple times): throwing up in the car, eliminating in the house, eating the cats’ food, escaping at the pet store, escaping into the neighborhood (through the fence), tearing up toilet paper and paper towels, chewing up electrical adapters, howling relentlessly when we’re not home, tearing the bricks out of the back wall…

Most of these problems occurred during the first or second week. That’s when I started calling him “The Wonder Dog”. The “wonder” being: “Why on earth did we do this?!”

Fortunately, we’ve learned to adapt. Everything has had a reasonable solution so far…

The good news is that he truly does have a great gentle personality - maybe too gentle. I don’t think he’ll make much of a watch dog. He never barks. I’m also afraid that he won’t be able to defend himself against dogs in the neighborhood.

He loves to go on walks, although he tires a bit soon. He heels naturally, never pulls on the leash. He definitely aims to please.

We’ve had a lot of fun going to dog/people school together. The last class is this Saturday. We’re learning the usual basic commands. He’s really good at Down and Stay (he’s a very relaxed dog). He’s a bit slow to get up and Come. But we’re learning.

Yesterday was a tough day. He had “the operation”. It was also discovered that he has a serious case of canine venereal tumors. Although it’s serious, there are treatments. At this point we’re optimistic for a full recovery.

So that’s all about Cobre. He really has been a joy! And Bella has almost stopped hissing at him…