loba
Six Months ago, a dog showed up, on our property, close to death. She looked as she hadn’t eaten, just skin and bones. Our family didn’t have a dog, as the responsibility here in Yelapa is huge and inside I was waiting for a dog to choose us and she seemed to do just that. We quickly gained her trust. I named her Quilly after what Yael would say when he tickled someone. As time went on she became healthy and a part of our family. Every morning, the kids would wake and shower her with affection. From the day she arrived, she never left the property, always staying to guard the casa.
One day we had a visit from Adan de Chacala, and with him was William de Tecuani. As William arrived, he sat in shock, as he spoke to Quilly. “Que Pasa Loba?” I too sat in amazement as he told me of her life. It turns out that she was an amazing ranch dog , that lived and worked with his family’s ranch in Tecuani, almost five hours away from Yelapa. She had disappeared one day. They searched and searched for her, to no avail. Fearing the worst, they went on with ranch life. We decided amongst us, that for the meanwhile, she was happy and would continue to live with us in Yelapa.
One week ago, we had another visitor from the rancho, Fredrico, the father of the family arrived by mule. He explained his wife was heartbroken over Loba(her original name) and sent him to return with the dog. It was quite a moment as he spoke to her, like a longtime partner. It seemed the best, to have her leave her vacation home and return to work. The clincher was when she saw the mule, she greeted him as a long lost friend. So off to the mountains, they went.
Tonight, William came to visit Yelapa and a fiesta. Along with him, came the news of Loba’s death. It seems while on vacation, she had forgotten some of her skills and was killed by a wild boar. It is clear why Tequani means “fierce beast” sadness fills me… adios mi amiga.