Dog Sanctuary – Abaco
Shelter
Last week I was out on a bike ride and decided FINALLY
to stop at Bliss Coffee Shop. I have
ridden past it a hundred times. This
particular morning it was calling out to me, 'Well Howdy-do'. It’s an
Airconditioned shop with wifi. Had I
known that months ago I might have been there every day… Free wifi and airconditioning are two
things I dream about. As I got my cup of
coffee I noticed a little cash collection box at the register with a dogs photo
placed up on it. So I asked, what’s this
about? “It’s the local dog
shelter.” Oh. I had noticed that there are zero stray dogs
running loose on the island, but I never thought about there being some, or where they were. “Mostly they are older dogs as the puppies
are shipped off to foreign shelters for adoption.” WELL aint that the way. Take the cute young things and leave “the old
dogs.” (reminded me of a guy who lives
on my boat) I decided to ride my bike
out and see the shelter.
April brings her daughter to work. Too cute!
Turns out the shelter is way outside town on the highway
toward Treasure Cay. So I gather up my
bottled water, snack, camera and took off on my bike. *At the time I didn’t realize they aren’t
open every day. There is NO sign on the
road at their location. It’s a very very
long way. They are not set up for walk
in traffic. (but if you are persistent,
ride in traffic is OK)
I rode forever, till long after I was hot sweaty and tired. Rode farther than I ever had on that
particular road. Then I road a little
further. About the time I’m ready to
cuss and turn around I came to the Electric power generation plant. Obviously it’s not a dog rescue facility but
there are people in view and the gate is open, so I ride in – like a tourist. (four workmen are sitting in a shady barn type
structure like it’s breaktime) “Hey guys
I was told there is a Dog Sanctuary somewhere out here. Can you point me toward it?” Sure, you passed it already about a mile back
on the other side of the road. It’s just
a gate. (damn) “OK thanks.
I saw an open gate back there but no sign.” Yep, that’s it.
Oh, THIS gate?
Now ride almost half mile in...
OK, now I have clear concise directions, cant miss. Ride about a mile back and go into an
unmarked open gate. What could go
wrong? As it turns out, nothing. I found it.
My goodness you should have heard all the barking from the group of
welcoming dogs in the outside pens. Hair
standing up bristling, teeth bared and growling – and the dogs were making
faces at me too. I stood around outside
trying to find a door that the dogs could not escape from. I expected at any second the staff would come
out and yell at me and the dogs to stop barking at each other. Nothing.
Every once in a while I hear people talking inside the ‘dog building.’ But nobody comes out to investigate the
doggies barking wars. Even after I start
yelling to the building, I cant gain access.
Finally Adrian comes outside to ‘work’ and see’s me standing by the
gate. I’m allowed access but know this
is highly unusual as I can hear them chatting inside. Plus they are almost finished with their chores
of a busy doggy day and ready to close up and go home. But they are kind enough to let me look
around and take a few photos. They
answer all my stupid questions and escort me out. It’s a much bigger operation than I had
expected. About fifty dogs and a
shoestring budget. They have a Facebook
page and other SOCIAL MEDIA if you want to assist them.
Molly, Adrian, Chris, Paul
I’m not really a dog lover, but sure loved my visit.
Thanks again Molly for sharing with me.
- Yap Yap Growl Skip
