Bryndle and I became best friends and roommates in November 2014. I was in a little town called Santa Fe, about 10 or 15 kilometers west of the Town of Trujillo, Honduras, when I found him. He was laying on the side of the road, starving, covered in bugs, no tail and almost dead. A local gentleman took a look at him and told me to leave him there because he was too far gone and would not make it through the night.

Once I found him, I was not leaving him behind to die. I picked him up, wrapped him in my sweater and proceeded on my way. When I got him home I bathed him, picked all the bugs off and fed him coconut milk and some of the coconut meat, then I grilled him some fish. He ate timidly at first until his body had a chance to heal a bit. The following day I went to the local Agro store and got him the necessary pills to kill any parasites and a visit the following week to the veterinarian in La Ceiba. He had a complete check-up and all necessary vaccinations and treatments for all the traditional diseases we treat our pets for in Canada such as rabies, distemper, heartworm.

Although most of the principles governing how you should raise and maintain your Cat or Dog are the same in Honduras as in Canada, keeping your pet healthy in Honduras requires increased effort and diligence. In Honduras, Mother Nature is not to be taken lightly! The Jungle, with its high heat and humidity, creates a perfect environment for all types of interesting little creatures (ticks, fleas) and conditions (mange), to thrive and make their presence known. This presents a bit of a problem for the best friend/caretaker as even a cut can be dangerous if it is not treated quickly and properly.

As in all countries, your location – city or country – is also an important factor in your pet care.
I live outside of town on an acreage with jungle and livestock surrounding my property. Livestock grazing brings with it a great number of issues. However, once you know and understand what you are up against it is easy to put a system in place to care for your pet.

• Keep all shots up to date
• Administer oral medications regularly for heartworm, ticks and parasites
• Check frequently for ticks and such (I do this several times a day because of where I live)
• Perform regular bathing – I bath my dogs 1 per week with a medicated shampoo
• Keep ears and toes clean
• Ensure they have access to clean water at all times

ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL THINGS – Ensure that your pet cannot contribute to the overall animal population of Honduras unless you are prepared to breed them carefully and to provide a proper home for them and their babies. There is already too many starving, disease-burdened, homeless creatures, both great and small, in Honduras.

There are some really great veterinarians in Honduras. However, they are located in either Tocoa, a 45 minutes away from Trujillo, or in La Ceiba which is a 2.5 hour drive from Trujillo. We no longer have a veterinarian living here, but occasionally one comes from La Ceiba for a day clinic. However, I was informed this service is primarily for the local people who would not be capable of getting their animals to the other communities for care. I always take my boys to La Ceiba, to Doctor Caulderon, for their veterinary visits.

Whether you are bringing a pet from Canada to Honduras, or finding that special friend here, it is only fair to warn you that it requires a bit more work than when you live in Canada.
If you are looking to bring your pet from Canada you will need to look up the requirements as they change periodically. The Government of Canada website or your local veterinarian may know the procedure. In Honduras you work with a veterinarian to make all of the arrangements for the shots and necessary paperwork required to send them to Canada.

Would I go back and leave him where I found him? NOT IN YOUR LIFE…HE IS SO FUN!

He’s a big boy now but still loves to cuddle! See the photo of Bryndle now – out for a float with Hazel-Jane