What is a Sato?

Satos=the term used in Puerto Rico for stray dogs...

For those of you that aren't familiar with the island of Puerto Rico, we have a huge stray dog problem here. It is very sad! I am a very lucky house dog that gets all the comforts of a wonderful life. I get really good food everyday, I have all the fresh water I can drink, I have comfy beds to sleep on, a family that loves me, toys to play with, healthy treats, even air-conditioning for this hot climate. Many of my kind, however, aren't that lucky. There is a pack of about 10 dogs that live at the beach close to my house. They sleep in the hot sun and have to search around for food. I have watched them drink from muddy puddles and pick through trash. Luckily many people go to that beach and feed them, but it still isn't the best life for them. Lately there have been two doggies hanging around our condo and they both are so cute. The humans have been feeding them and giving them water, but they still need a home. I don't know where they came from, but aren't they cute?

One of the problems here is a shortage of no-kill shelters. If a dog catcher takes a dog, chances are they will be put down. There is also a huge population of strays and although there are organizations that try to help, there are just so many dogs. I feel that I am so lucky and I just wished all dogs could have a happy home and a good life.

To read more about Puerto Rico's stray dog population, please see the links below.

Save a Sato  A non-profit organization that works with stray and abused animals on the island
All Sato Rescue  A non-profit working to reduce the number of strays and tackle the root problem
A.R.F  A non-profit in Rincon, PR, close to my home, that fosters dogs and has a really cool program that educates kids on how to treat animals!
NAIA  An interesting article that examines the global stray dog population problem and argues against shipping dogs from Puerto Rico to the U.S.

This is just a few of the sites you can find to learn more about the problem here. I wished I had an easy answer, but hopefully the problems with homeless dogs here will continue to improve. If you or anyone you know is interested in adopting the dogs above that live in my neighborhood, please contact me!
Love,
Branson the Great Dane

Foto Friday

Another beautiful sunset enjoyed with a friend

Foto Friday

Rocks by my house, doesn't it look like kinda like Mars? 

Branson Goes to Boqueron

Well, really I have been to Boqueron three times now and I love it....or should I say Boqueron loves me! I don't know what it is about this place, but it just seems that everyone here loves big dogs. It is one of the friendliest places I have been to so far in my young life. Every time I am there I always draw in the crowds...

Me and my daddy in Boqueron, PR

Boqueron is a quaint little village in the southwest section of Puerto Rico. Mommy says it reminds her of Key West, Florida and that it has the most beautiful sunsets around (to read more about it check out Sun Kissed Bliss). There is also a large public beach here where some cool dogs like to hang out...

Cool dogs wear bathing suits!

There are many little bars, restaurants, and shops that line one small street. One of the bars there offered me a drink of cold water. They were surprised when they realized my head could actually rest on top of their bar. Mom put my bowl on the bench to make it easier for me to drink and so I didn't scare away the customers. This still got a ton of stares!

Step right up...I think I will!

Whenever I go I get to hang out at La Marea Eat and Drink, a place where the people food smells delicious (of course I don't get any, but the staff is nice to me). They have a cool outside area for hanging out and people watching. Here are some of my recent admirers...

Photo credit: Ripp Motion

These people were so nice...here are some more...

Photo Credit: Ripp Motion

And here is a cool group of new people that I hung out with one Sunday, along with some of my family...

Fun times! If you see me in Boqueron be sure to say hi!

Foto Friday

Wow! I am so sorry I have not been blogging lately. My daddy's cousin came to visit and we were really busy and then we have had tons of rain and I just got lazy. Well really mom was the lazy one, but don't tell her I told you! Promise?

So for this Foto Friday here is a little preview of what I have been doing....

Lots of road trips....

I met a new friend...

I went to a bar in Boqueron.... (update: Read about it HERE.)

I stayed at another human hotel....

Plus...

I did sleep a bunch...I guess I was a little lazy after all! Good news though, all the rest allowed my paw to completely heal and I am ready for more adventures and blogging!

Until we bark again,
Branson

New Contest From Another Cool Dog

My friend Reilly over at CowSpotDog is having a contest. It looks like fun and is open to all you doggies out there. I have to post a picture of me either enjoying or avoiding water. Well that is hard for me because I LOVE water and mommy has so many pics of me in the water...which to choose.....

This is the winner. Mom said to pick this one because I am just chilling in the water and trying to cool off on a typical day in Puerto Rico. Of course I am giving her a mean look because she was making sit still so she could take my picture. If you guys want to enter the contest head over here and read all about it.
Until we bark again,
Branson

My Weekend in a Pet Hotel

As you guys know I have stayed in a human hotel, but never in a pet hotel. Human hotels are nice, but they are awfully boring and sometimes people who don't appreciate my awesomeness give me funny looks. When it came time for me to stay on my own Mom spent a great deal of time finding the best place. Here in Puerto Rico there aren't a lot of good options and the best babysitters (my grandparents) live too far away. So she was happy when the PetSmart PetsHotel opened. Because I had never been there before they needed a bunch of information. They had to verify that my shots were up-to-date and mom had to fill out some paperwork. They asked all kinds of questions about me and my personality, which was cool as they wanted to get to know me and make sure that I was safe! Mom had been to the hotel to check it out without me a few weeks prior and had showed the nice women there pictures of me, so they were looking forward to meeting me in person. Mom was impressed by how clean it was and how they documented all of my needs. When I arrived everyone was very excited and so was I. The craziest thing happened right before I checked in to the hotel. This little dog came up to greet me, but I guess he got scared and he growled....

at me!!! Can you believe the nerve? If I wasn't such a nice guy I would have chomped on him, but to tell ya the truth that little guy kinda freaked me out! So dad ushered me to the nice people that work there and they took me to my suite. Yes, suite, complete with my own t.v. Mom and dad then went off on there journey to El Yunque, which is a Rain Forest here in Puerto Rico. I wasn't allowed to stay at their hotel (can you believe it?) and they thought some of the trails might be too steep and hard for me since I am still growing. Anyway, here is what they got to see...

Pretty cool! They wished I could have been there and they said they missed me for the few days that we were apart. They also wished that the pet hotel had cameras so they could watch me while they were away and see what I was up to (eh, eh...I am glad to get a little freedom).  However when they came to pick me up they were so happy that everyone there loved me so much. My new friends didn't want me to leave! They also made a page all about me for their scrapbook and my parents received a progress report letting them know how well I did.

That is cool!!! Now when I go into the store many people recognize me and give me hugs. I like that store not only because the people are nice, but they also have toys and treeeeaaaatttttsss!!
Until we bark again,
Branson

Look...It's a Whole Pig!

A fews weeks ago we journeyed over to Rincon, PR so that my humans could try out some lechon at Shipwreck Bar and Grill. I had never heard of lechon but I soon found out it is roasted pig! Wooo-hooo does it smell delicious. I have been to Shipwreck before and usually they recognize me and give me a good table, but this day they were particularly busy. We had to sit in the back, but it was okay as it gave me a good view and some shade. 

I chilled out for awhile and people watched. Some tourists came over and visited with me for awhile and of course took my picture. I was good and posed for the camera. I am telling you I should get paid for that, or at least they could give me a taste of that pig! After awhile our area started getting invaded by these furry creatures...

I wanted to investigate but mom was trying to keep me away from them. She said they may be poisonous. There were a ton of them around on all the plumeria trees so we had to move. The goods news is I got to sit closer to that good smelling PIG! 

I look a little sad here because I am starting to realize that I am not going to get any lechon! Mom and dad brought my mat for me to lay on, but as you can see I love laying in the rocks. They don't bother me as I am tuff, but my humans are always worried about my elbows. Anyway, in case you are wondering I didn't get to try the pig, but I heard it was delicious. If you live in PR head over HERE and read more about the pig roast at Shipwreck. If someone out there is listening, please talk to my humans about letting me taste more human food!  

Foto Friday

29 April 2011

Branson (19 weeks old) and Daddy in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Branson (13 months old) and Daddy in Condado, Puerto Rico

Branson and Chunky go to the Beach

The other day my parents loaded me up in the back of my car along with our beach stuff....

Even with the beach chairs, my bed, toys, and my water cooler I still have plenty of room. I LOVE my car! Sometimes my parents and their friends have to keep their stuff up front and it gets crowded, but I still have it made in the back! 

Once we got going they told me we were picking up my friend Chunky! I love little Chunky, he is so much fun to play with. Look at how excited I was to hear the news...

I even had room for Chunky to ride in the back with me, if I could convince his parents to let him. I hope they don't think I will squish him with my big bottom. I know I am a big guy, but I am gentle. Plus, he is my best buddy, I wouldn't hurt him.  Guess what? 

Woo-hoo, they let us both in the back! We had so much fun playing around, but occasionally we had to see what our humans were up to in the front. Isn't Chunky cool? If we could talk we would have been asking, "Are we there YET?" We were getting pretty hot from all the wrestling around. Look at our tongues...

So, we finally made it to the beach and it was so beautiful. I couldn't wait to get in and cool off from the ride. Look at that water....

I jumped right in and swam out to my daddy. I am like a little fish, well more like a big fish! You can hardly see my dad, but I promise he is behind me. (Mom apologizes for the spots on the picture..she was using the underwater camera and it must have had sand or something on it). 

Now Chunky is a bit younger than me and still getting use to the water. His parents try to get him in sometimes, but he doesn't like it too much yet. I also tried to play with him in the ocean, but sometimes I get too excited and get carried away. He has plenty of time to decide if swimming is his thing, so we decided to hang out a little in the shade and relax. 

We ended up eating our lunch and then taking a little nap while our humans spent some time in the water. They let me get one more swim in before we packed up. It was such a fun day with my friend Chunky. You will learn more about him as I keep blogging, he is a great little guy! I hope to see him soon for more island adventures. 

If you want to read more about the beach, Playa Sucia, click HERE.
Also, keep in touch by being my Facebook friend, or signing up above for email updates!
Until we bark again,
Branson

Foto Friday

8 April 2011

And humans call me a horse...this is a horse!

Branson the Great Dane Goes Shopping

I know to some of you other cat and dogs (wait...do I have any cat fans out there?) it may not be a big deal to go to the pet store, but for me it is a major event. Most people have never seen a dog my size and many of them want to pet me or take my picture, so it can create quite a scene. The store was crowded yesterday and I had to do lots of posing for the cameras, but I don't mind at all. WOOF! Mom and dad think it is good for me to get the socialization, whatever that means, but I just think it is fun to get all the attention....

It almost looks like I am in a zoo with all the humans behind the glass, what do you think? Although I love people I also LOVE other dogs, especially the small kind. I got to hang out with this one for awhile. Too bad we didn't have a chance to play...I bet we could have ran really fast through that store. I am sure the humans wouldn't never let that happen! Come on, we wouldn't knock anything over...

After the pet store we headed down to Condado to go to Mercado Urbano. You can read all about the market on my mommy's blog Sun Kissed Bliss. She said it was a great place to get all kinds of fresh products made here on the island, but the only bad things is they wouldn't let dogs in the park area where the market was. Can you believe it, no dogs on the grass?? Grass was made for dogs, right? The cops said I had to stay on the sidewalk, but I got as close as I could to the line....

After my parents took turns going into the market we rode over to Old San Juan. I got to see all of these humans flying kites at the park and then we walked around the town. I meet lots of very nice people, both tourists and residents, and even some children that gave me hugs! I am very gentle with kids, so they love me!

I had a fun day with the family and I am sure I will be in San Juan again soon. Hopefully we will go to the pet store again and I can see some of my new friends!

Until we bark again,
Branson the Great Dane 

Foto Friday

1 April 2011

I'm dreaming of coconuts!

The Life of an Island Dog

So you all know that I am a true island dog/beach bum. I spend my free time strolling the beaches, playing with my favorite toys (coconuts), swimming, and napping in the shade. Well guess what I got my paws on over the weekend?  Bet you all will be jealous!!

You know what this is, don't ya? Yep, it is a Pina Colada! Did you know that I am Puerto Rican and that Pina Coladas were invented right here in Puerto Rico?? Cool, huh? Well my mommy made up a blender full the other day and man could I smell the coconuts. So, I wondered over to check it out.

They smell so yummy! I had never used that plastic thing sticking out of the glass, but I am pretty smart so I knew I could figure it out...

It wasn't as easy as it looks though and I had a hard time getting my mouth on that plastic thing. But finally....

Yummo! Mom says that they are made with something called Cream of Coconut (I knew I smelled it), pineapple juice, and rum. I told her to put a blue umbrella in it next time for me. Pink isn't my color! Yep, I am living the life! 

Until we bark again,
B

Doggie Disclaimer: No dogs were harmed in the making of this blog post. These photos were made by luring the Great Dane in with a peanut butter enhanced straw. Branson did not consume any adult beverages during the photo shoot. 

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Foto Friday

25 March 2011

Branson at one of his favorite swimming holes

Foto Friday

11 March 2011

Cooling off at my new swimming spot
Location: Isabela, Puerto Rico

Hey guys, sorry I haven't blogged lately. It has been a beautiful week at the beach and I have been doing  tons of swimming, running, and playing. Don't hate me because I live at the beach, someone has to do it.  Wish you were here,
Branson

It's my birthday!

I am a big boy now! I had a fun party when my grandparents were here visiting, so I already have opened all my presents, but mom promises we can go to the beach today and celebrate again. Here is a picture of my birthday cupcake. Can you believe I am one already?

My dad made this for me by chopping some apples, mixing it with my kibble and some peanut butter. He then frosted it with more peanut butter!  It was messy....

but sooo worth it! Do I really only get this once a year? I think I should get dessert everyday, don't you?

I also got some really cool presents...

My grandparents bought me this cool blue monster...

my parents can put a water bottle inside of it for me to crunch on.  I also got this raccoon with no stuffing inside, I guess my mom is tired of cleaning up after all all the stuffed animals I have destroyed!

I stuck my face in this bag! Opening presents is sooo much fun!

I had a great birthday and all the humans said I was a good birthday boy! 

Even so, they made me wear this ridiculous hat!

Until we bark again, 

B