Living the Island Life

Anyone else think it's weird I can't get away from these creatures?

First, I'd like to say that this petsitting gig is going much better than last time (so far). The last time (which would have been my second stint), the main door slammed shut, dislodging something that blocked the locking mechanism. The door would not open, and even taking the lock apart, we couldn't get it to open (and the door hinges were inaccessible). Crap. The good news was that the animals had been outside when it happened. So the dog came to our house, and we shuttled the cat back & forth so she could play in the area she was used to (she usually sleeps in the house all day and prowls around at night). Except that one day she disappeared. She disappeared for 3 painfully long weeks. I was heartbroken. I know people think that it's "normal" for cats to do that, but it really isn't. She's not some feral cat the homeowner throws food at. She has a relationship with her human, her dog buddy, and a routine in a place she feels safe. When she eventually turned up, very disheveled and hungry (I think she got trapped inside a construction container or something), and I got the call, I was over the moon. I immediately ran over and rubbed noses with her (a cute thing she likes to do). I even cried tears of joy. And this is why I was flown all the way from Key West to St. Kitts to petsit. I care. I also don't ever want to be tested like that again.

Sunday morning, I took Betsy out for her shorter walk for the day. As we were coming back up the hill to the house, Flush came running out of the bushes leaping at Betsy and then me. She meowed like the lion she thought she was, and the three of us sprinted back to the house together. I so wished there was a way to capture that on video. The three amigos!

Dusty Bottoms: No, we will not die like dogs! We will fight like lions! Because we are...

Dusty Bottoms, Lucky Day, Ned Nederlander: The Three Amigos!

The rest of the day got rather screwy.
I was supposed to go hiking in the morning and hit the beach in the afternoon. My idea of a perfect day. But then I got canceled on for the hike. No problem, I grabbed the pooch, hit the long, empty black beach, and walked for an hour while Betsy ran around like a puppy (she is getting in shape surprisingly fast). I even had her walk the two steep hills back to the house (after taking it easier on her the past couple of days), and she was lookin' good. She actually enjoyed the hose afterwards this time too. I think we're bonding.

This one's for you Dave.

I confirmed the later beach day (sans dog) and then got an email asking if I'd like to help set the next hash (for this Saturday). Knowing they're having problems getting people to set the thing and missing out on my earlier hike, I thought I should do it. So I canceled the beach day (they would have gone with or without me) and said I'd help do some reconnaissance. As the morning wore on though, my body started telling me to knock it off (I've been working out hard), and I decided - screw it. I'm going to the beach. Except that I picked the wrong beach, didn't have a way to get in touch with the others, and ended up all by myself. Hrmph. It was pretty anyway. Again, almost empty. Not a single plane flew overhead; not a single jet ski motored past. The chairs/shade were free, the water fresh (no need to test it for ecoli once/week), and a true beach bar was nearby to get a cheap cold one (although to be honest, it wasn't that cold).

I even watched fish swim in the shallows from my chair. The water is still too cold for me to get all the way in (although at 82°F, it's getting there). Most of you would have loved it.



Eventually, as usual, someone I knew crossed my path and we hung out for a couple of hours, catching up. New plans have been made with everyone else, so it's all good.

I'm officially out of leftovers, broke my sunglasses, and forgot sunblock, so will have to go shopping. It's now unavoidable. Michael, where are you?!