Animal Attraction

On any given day at the asylum we are surrounded by animals, some of the human variety others not. Lately we seem to have more than our share of cats. Besides my gato (who reigns and is a house cat) there are 3 others. Rusty, who neither looks nor tastes like rust. Snowball, who is, you guessed it, white. And the "crier", who has the most annoying cry/meow I have ever heard. Those 3 are "finca" cats, they wander around the many acres and show up for meal times. I have nothing against cats but if one more sprightly cat shows up and applies for free room and board, request will be denied!

We have 30-50 chickens/roosters at any given time. The discrepancy in the numbers is due to free- range status. They come and go as they like. Daily crowing starts around 3:30AM.

This fine looking iguana showed up without an invitation and stayed for a few months. He left after he devoured all of the flowery vine growing on that tree. Sadly, they are vegetarians, otherwise the cat and chicken count might be lower.

This beautiful chicken hawk, fell into the chicken coop after a tropical storm. (the coop is for injured birds). He thought he died and went to heaven. Instead he was greeted with a posse determined to get him out of the coop before he ate every bird in there. He stood around for a few days, waiting for his feathers to dry then scooped up a little chick and flew away.

This is a tropical island and we have our share of snakes, spiders and bats. We have a copious amount of bugs. Pretty bugs, fugly bugs and bugs that would scare the bravest of entomologists. In the past week, we have been besieged with volcanic ash from Montserrat. The ash has caused the delay and cancellation of flights in and out of Puerto Rico. We have had a minor earthquake. There have been (renewed) recent sightings of the "Chupacabra". I wonder if all of mother nature's current activity has something to do with the influx of uninvited guests.

I am spending the rest of the day making "KEEP OUT", "DO NOT ENTER" signs. No new visitors will be allowed to enter the asylum without prior written consent and at least 2 weeks notice. There are exceptions of course, for anyone bearing fabulous new shoes or gifts for yours truly. Hope it's groovy (and ash less) where you are.