Nalu, Yelapa dog
Another pod of dolphins blessed us today in the cove. It was also a day of many Yelapa dogs, though I got no pictures. Yelapa dogs, in my experience, are a little different from other Mexican dogs I have encountered. They seem to be more friendly, and less wary of people. Maybe there is a friendlier attitude toward dogs by residents of Yelapa; maybe it is the infusion of Canadians and folks from the United States who “ooo” and “coo” over dogs and want to pet them. Or maybe, in this rather isolated location, it is a characteristic that has developed over the years. Dogs and cats are cared for here; there is a veterinarian in town, Pamela Rojas and often volunteers come here to help care for the domestic animal population. Dogs run free in Yelapa but I have never encountered a mean or dangerous one. Playa dogs are famous for making tourists feel special and loved – all for some tasty food scraps. There are many tales of remarkable Yelapa dogs. This one, for instance.
Manzano, the apple of our eye.
Maybe the dog of greatest legendary fame (though not for begging) was Nanu, who belonged to Isabel Jordan. Often Nanu would greet us when we first got off the panga at Playa Isabel, treat us like old friends while we were in Yelapa, and then be there to see us off with a howl of regret, when we left. There are quite a number of “famous” Yelapa dogs, the one I am most acquainted with being an extraordinary ridgeback by the name of Manzano, since our daughter Sarah and her partner Carlos adopted him. Manzano is legendary for his sophisticated, subtle gigolo talents. He is the only dog I know of who has been stolen more than once by those who just could not live without him. How he was recovered by stealth is another story best not told by me. If you have been to Yelapa and have a dog story I would love to hear it.
Good night from this place of quiet calm,
Steve
