Introducing: Lucia Sun Katyl

There is a new addition to the Katyl family here in Guatemala! On February 29th, 2012 (Leap Day!) we jumped into being parents (kind of) and adopted an adorable little puppy. 

Ms. Lucia Sun Katyl

She's two and a half months old and her mama is a street dog here in Panajachel. There is an NGO here called Ayuda that works to improve "the health and well being of homeless and roaming dogs and cats." Stray dogs are a HUGE problem here. They are all over the streets and it's really sad to see. Many of them are skin and bones and the majority are not fixed- a problem which perpetuates the overpopulation. In this case, Ayuda was taking care of the puppies and looking for a good home for each of them. While they look for families to adopt the pups they place the dogs with foster parents and it just so happened that these puppies went to a woman at our church. 

We went for a home visit and immediately fell in love! 

Lucia's first bath! (yes, in the pila)

She was miserable! She cried the whole time
& it sounded like she was dying!!

Lucia Sun Katyl. Her original name was Sun, but after visiting with her and deciding we definitely wanted to adopt her we started brainstorming names and agreed that we wanted something with a Latino feel. Less than 20 minutes later we decided on Lucia! It means "light-bringer" which is perfect not only because of her original name, but also since she brings so much joy and sunshine into our lives! That is when she is not chewing on everything we own. Haha! 

In one of her favorite spots

Nap time!

Since I have wanted a dog my ENTIRE LIFE (I kidd you not) I was super excited! (Don't worry Dan grew up with all types of pets so we are not totally clueless! :-P) But I have been quickly learning that having a dog, especially a 2 month old puppy, is a LOT of work. Sometimes she drives me nuts, but mostly I love her. Nothing compares to coming home and being greeted with that huge smile and jumps of joy. 

Visiting the waterfall by our house