Rachel said that her dear neighbor and friend Marie-Iodile asked her recently what the collar was on Puppy’s neck. Rachel explained that it keeps the fleas away. M-I said, “Oh, do you mean he’s a clean dog?” And since then, she has been a bit more kindly toward Puppy. [People tend to shoo dogs away or even kick them in an environment where everyday life is so difficult for humans and dogs are so full of parasites and thus unclean.] Rachel has also treated Puppy for worms. He now sleeps in her kitchen every night, though still ignoring the visits of the ROUSE (Rat/mouse) unfortunately. [Rachel described the ROUSE, saying that it is between rat and mouse size but with a rat’s long tail.]

She reported that the neighboring kids had been playing with Puppy, having him chase after one of the stuffed animals sent from the US that they had attached to a string. It is the first time that she has ever seen kids interact kindly with dogs. [Malagasy kids tend to work a lot but not to play very much, unfortunately.]