Cock-a-cock-a-Doo

Like yesterday, before I write about our trip, I ask you to pray for my Meme who is undergoing surgery today. It could possibly last most of the day.

Day 15 – September 24 – Did you know that on our way to the baby home we pass an array of animals? The first set of animals that we pass is our set of swans. Caleb loves them and they love him, especially if he has his hands full of grass. They always come ready to greet us. Our next animal that we pass is the rooster and his entourage of hens/chickens. There are several roosters around and they start cock-a-doodle-dooing (Caleb says cock-a-cock-a-dooing; I don’t know how he got that mixed up) around 4:30am and go until around 9am. The roosters and friends just roam the neighborhood, and we don’t really know who they belong to, but they are always around. Our hotel is next to a big open lot that is kind of shaped like a dry lake, high on the sides and low in the middle. We see some people picking vegetables from small gardens they have planted on the sides. In the middle we see the next animal we pass, a billy-goat. He seems to only be there in the evenings; we don’t know where he lives the rest of the time. Today, he was gracious enough to pose for a picture. We also have a wide selection of dogs and a few cats. Most of the homes that we pass have a mean looking dog (maybe because 90% of them are rot-wylers (sp??)) in their tiny yard. A lot of fences have a “beware of dog” sign attached on the front. It makes us stay away. The rest of the way to the baby home is mostly homeless dogs that all need a bath and major haircuts. They would all get charged extra at the groomers for all of their matted hair. They actually seem like they wouldn’t hurt much, almost skittish. Throughout the day, each and everyday, all of the dogs around will join together and yelp all at the same time. (Sometimes I feel like we are stuck in 101 Dalmatians when they are sending messages to the Scotland Yard about the missing puppies.)

Today at the baby home was much like the last few. Our 23^rd and 24^th visits were spent outside and we all had a great time. We introduced the stroller to Veeka and she didn’t really know what to think of it. She sat in it, but didn’t want to be pushed in it. She has her little games that she likes playing, and we play them every time we are with her. One of her latest is “MAMA” “What?” “MAMA” “What?” “MAMA” “What?” “MAMA” “What?.” She would do this for hours if I would play along that long. I switch up my responses on her every now and then to see what she is going say. She really is learning so much and it is fun to see her grow in knowledge. She knows where most of her body parts are (in English) and most of the time she tells you that she is 3 when asked. The last few times we have been there for visits, she has kind of hesitated going back with her group. Today she didn’t cry, but definitely whimpered. That makes me sad, but I know that is what needs to happen and it is a good sign.