DOG DAY AFTERNOON

Photo by Denise Blasor

 


 ALL RELATIONSHIPS evolve over time. Take humans and canines. Used to be that a dog was nothing more than a dog to his master, a useful domesticated animal relegated to the doghouse as soon as its services were unneeded. Flash forward to the present: this intra-species relationship has evolved to such a degree that dogs are not merely friends and companions, but rightful members of the family.
FOR PROOF OF the deep bond between people and their mascots one need only to glance at the pages of a pet magazine. "You are the light of my life illuminating my heart," gushed one woman about her nine-year-old pooch featured, all dolled up with a birthday hat, in the pages of locally published Buenos Amigos (Good Friends). Another owner referred to his American Eskimo pup as "the new baby of the house." 
IF DOGS are such an integral part of the family then why shouldn't owners want to do fun things with their four-footed relations, other than take them for brisk daily constitutionals? But taking a dog anywhere but the park is a difficult proposition in Puerto Rico were pets are kept out of most places, though some hotels on the island now extend the welcome mat to pets. "There is a real need for activities that include owners and their pets," said Manuel Lemos, an organizer of the yearly Extreme Dog show.  
HAPPILY, a company has come forward to meet such a need and its very name -- Eco Aventuras Caninas (Eco Canine Adventures) -- is a giveaway for what it's about: excursions that engage mascot and owner in brisk walkabouts around the Puerto Rico countryside and play up the joys of dogdom, the island's luscious environment, and family. 
 SINCE PLAY is such a natural aspect of the dog-man relationship, Gloria Avilés and her husband Fernando Rolón, the couple behind the company, zeroed in on an activity built around outdoor exercise whereby "dogs would be leading their owners (instead of the other way around)." The walkabouts take place in private ranches or farms which the couple arranges to rent for the day; government lands are unavailable for this sort of activity, she said, because authorities are fearful of encounters with mongoose, a potential rabies carrier. Getting property owners to sign up is no problem and many now contact Avilés on their own initiative.
ACTIVITIES are financed through pet company sponsorships (such as Royal Canin) and fees paid by participants, around $25 to $30 per individual with special rates available for families
(the price includes a meal).

Courtesy of Eco Aventuras Caninas

Each participant may bring along one dog plus family members but total participation is kept down to about 50 or 60 people for safety and logistics. To add a touch of excitement to each adventure, participants are not told the exact location of the event but are given a general idea of the area. On the appointed day, everyone convenes in one location and, from there, everyone heads over in a caravan to the mystery destination, usually 15 to 20 minutes away from the original meeting point. The party includes members of National Dog Training to help ensure the canines don't misbehave. Safety is a priority though so far all participating pets, according to Avilés, have been on their best behavior. 
IN ITS FIRST YEAR of operation, the company has ran four excursions to different locales around the island: Carolina, Naguabo, Manati, and Isabela. Manati's Hacienda La Diamantera "was a wonderful experience, we all jumped into the river and traipsed over cow dung," she said enthusiastically. Over the next four months, Eco Canine Adventures plans at least another two excursions so anyone interested make sure to regularly check the company's website for the next dates (see below).  
THE CONCEPT of canine adventures has met with such an enthusiastic response from the public that Avilés anticipates more frequent excursions in the coming year. Prior to starting the company, the couple published the above mentioned Buenos Amigos magazine whose rights they are now in the process of selling in order to be able to devote more attention to their autistic daughter.  "Life presents new challenges which we responsibly must take on," wrote Avilés in her last editorial in which she thanked readers for their support and summed up some wise truths regarding pet ownership. Salient among these: "Have only the number of pets you can properly take care of."
FOR NOW, the couple will concentrate on their dog excursions. As Avilés put it, "People really enjoy these outings."
www.ecoaventurascaninas.com 787.617.6929

Photo by Denise Blasor

You've no longings,
no dreams?
Then you are 
dead.

from Ingmar Bergman's
"The Devil's Eye."






☛BREAD TO EAT: Nothing beats homemade tandoori nan, a leavened, oven-baked flatbread popular in Asia. In the absence of the do-it-yourself kind you might want to try out the tandoori nan made by Stonefire currently available at Supermax De Diego. Consumers have three types to choose from: garlic nan, whole grain, and original (made with enriched white flour). Nan is a great accompaniment to any mean and the whole grain is especially tasty. Also available at Supermax is a new variety of organic breads under the brand of Rudi's Organic Bakery. And for those who like French bread, head over to Tradition Francaise at 174 Taft St. for the best baguette in town. Actually, there are two versions with the thinner one, known as ficelle, a real delight.

Photo by Denise Blasor

Because he believes in himself, he doesn't try to convince others.
Because he is content with himself, he doesn't need others' approval.
Because he accepts himself the whole wold accepts him.
Tao Te Ching

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