Pooper and the Puppies

So a few weeks ago Debbie from Moonlight Villas makes a post about a spay and neuter clinic coming to Negril and how they needed additional volunteers. I almost immediately started looking at airfare to see if I could plan a surprise short trip for Pooper as well as hotel availability at our favorite spots. I almost pushed the button but figured since I had just told my boss a few days earlier that I was not taking vacation till Oct, I decided it was a no go. And then Debbie posted again and I figured what the hell. I sent my boss an email explaining very little but asking if he was good with a long weekend away. As soon as he responded back yes it was on. And I have to say that I am fortunate to be lucky and have a great boss. A quick call to Mom to see if she was good watching Boogs and she gave me the usual response, of course. LOVE YOU MOM!!!

Airfare on short notice is always dicey, however US Airways came thru with an ok fare and I pushed the button. Catcha had availability in Pisces for two nights so I pushed that button too. Seastar only had a room with 2 double beds so it was time to look elsewhere. Blue Cave had the penthouse open for the other 3 days so I pushed that button as well. Those who know me know that I look to push buttons, one way or another. :cool:A quick email to Kingsley James and our private ride is good to go.

So over a few beers I break the news to Pooper. Excited is an understatement of her reaction to the news. Pooper LOVES animals and is fortunate to have worked with them for years. I love making her happy with the big surprises as well as the little things and I'm sure this one stacked up there with the best.

So the day finally comes, I know 2 weeks is not a lot of time, but it felt like forever. We head off for the airport and crank the Joint on Sirius up to get into the vibe. The flight was uneventful and Kingsley was right there waiting as soon as we made it out the door.

He had an issue with a new driver and was hoping it wouldn't be an issue waiting for about 30 minutes until another couple showed up. No worries mon, let's go for a little ride. So he takes us up to a little area where some drivers hang out and we chill there for a bit. They have a little food trailer as well as a drink stand, and in no time it's time to go pick up the couple. They load in and off we are, Biggas soon come.

Spectacular! What you and ur lady did is so great! I hope you will actually finish telling us ab this trip! (BIG GRIN)

Also, If I give u my husband's name & number will u school him on surprises for the wife... bc if we're happy, everyone is happy!!! ;)

Steph lol! It is a learned behavior. My Dad was a charmer and I was able to sit back for years and learn the trade. :cool: And I truly feel that my wife brings me much more happiness than I could ever bring to her, so I'm just trying to catcha up.

So we pull in to Bigga's and instantly he graces us with an amazingly big smile. Or maybe he was just returning the amazingly big smile coming from Pooper and I. We had told our new found friends on the ride that they had to try out Bigga's as they had made Kingsley aware that all they needed was a beer stop and some Jerk. Bigga served up a half chicken to us with some bread and I asked him if he had any pork available. He said about 15 minutes when in reality the jerk pork lady showed up in about 5, score! We couldn't quite finish it up so Bigga made us a to go plate.
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Pooper is still beaming.......

So we make our way down the road and soon enough we are at Sunset at the Palms dropping off the other couple. We had told them about Ivan's and since they liked Bigga's so much I knew we would soon see them. On the way in I had called Chicken as I heard he was back in town so we could all say hi. I wasn't even done checking in and Chicken pulls up. We hang out for a bit and than it's time to check out the room. Being a budget room right near the road I wasn't sure what to expect. It's cozy and tidy and made for a great place to stay for a couple of nights. And it had AC, which would prove its value as the trip went on. And it also has an outdoor shower, so Tizzy if you decide to rebook at Catcha one day you do not have to book Sagi, Moon, or Star to get your outdoor shower.
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The only complaint I have about Pisces is the bathroom. Take a look at that toilet and how it's positioned near the vanity. You literally have to sit diagonal and on a round bowl toilet and this just doesn't work too well for a man. Minor but irritating. :p Throw a pedestal sink in and a few shelves and the problem is solved.
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The patio is a nice chill spot that offers up a little privacy and has a great hammock. Pooper and I had a nice evening chilling in the hammock together reflecting on how we pulled this trip off. Good times with me and my honey.
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Chill day at Catcha soon come....

Wow, I'm pumped up about this .... Great lead on this trip report, booger, you're gettin' the flair .... More please.

Oh, and Biggas' classic white shirt ... Always spotless ....

:)

Anxiously awaiting more!!! Being a retired RN after 37 years and a major dog lover.....I am so excited to hear more! Love, love it. Giving back is so very important in life and especially to an island we all love and adore. My most treasured event as a nurse, was a 6 year old Jamaican child that had a severely burned hand. Somehow, it all worked out with time and the wonderful blessings of the doctor I worked for at the time, our local hospital, and the major help of our state's senator at the time. The true highlight of my entire career and life. So, blessing sent to you and your lovely wife for taking time to give back. Please carry on and tell us all about it. We are all waiting patiently............:) Love our Jamaican pups!!

Love that photo of Pooper with that HUGE smile at Biggas!
Big ups to you Booger for making your wifey sooooo happy! I think you scored major husband points for that surprise! hahaha! And so incredible of both of you for helping out the animals. :-)
Can't wait to hear more about the clinic.

Oh, and too funny about that toilet!

Need to take a step back real quick, I know typical Booger trip report. So after we check in Pooper is pooped and needs to hit the sack for awhile. I am running on adrenaline and sleep is not even an option. So I tuck her in and tell her I'm going to hit the street for a bit.

Where else to go but up to Seastar, so I make the 400 yard walk up the lane looking for my goat friend. No goat around, he must be mowing else where, or maybe he was curried. :( Pooper is not big on goat consumption, so good thing she never gets on the internet to read this. Make my way up to the gates and hit the guard up to see if Garrett is around. Wanted to say hi and give thanks for his help last reach. No Garrett so off to the bar I go. The place is dead, it is hot hot hot and I need a beer. Love the bar staff at Seastar by the way. You can sit here for hours having good conversation with both them and every other single person I have ever spoke to at Seastar. The only guy there was a Brit and we talked up some UFC for awhile. I love the UFC and it's not too often I get to chat someone up that knows and respects martial arts. Ninja, being the only exception in Negril. Had a few and figured it was time to get down to get pooped Pooper up from her power nap.

I was considering a walk to Rexy's however it was HOT and she takes awhile to get moving anyways. We had to make the 6PM orientation for the Spay/Neuter clinic at the All Age School right after a quick stop at the bar. Priorities people........

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Tybone had a $hit eating grin on his face when he saw me walk up, which just helped reenforce that yep I am back home. I pulled up to my spot and next thing you know Rob and Lisa pull up and we talk about the webcast at C&D/Jenny's later on in the night. It didn't start till 7:30 if I remember right, so we should have plenty of time to make the start.

I had the security guard, not Mr Lewis, call a driver as I wanted to get a contact for the ride home. I already had 3 other drivers in my phone, so I thought all would be good. We head off to the school and walk into a big room in the back of the property and I was quite surprised at the amount of people there. This was a serious deal and it was obvious at that point that they planned on making a serious impact on the doggies in Negril. Dr Rist gave the orientation and laid out the plans for the next few days. Dr Rist is good people by the way and her efforts as well as the efforts of many others like Debbie at Moonlight Villas is what makes something of this size work so well.

The briefing is soon over and we set off to the webcast with a quick beer stop at Canoe. We hit the new/old digs at Jenny's and my first thought besides needing another beer is that this place is a nice bump up in size. Plenty of room to get plenty of boardies in this place and with the hospitality of Connie I'm sure things will be jumping soon.

A nice Jamaican lady gave us a tour of her digs a few steps away and it was really cool to see inside a locals home. Clean as a whistle and if it had AC, I would gladly move in. Speaking of a place to stay, I would not be surprised to see if Connie threw in a couple of rooms to help extend the operating hours. Some crap ordinance, law, what have you that they will close you down if you do not have rooms for guests to stay in by 9 or 10PM. Mi Yard kind of owns the after 10PM crowd as far as I know. If you know of another place please let me know, preferably on the West End. We did hit up American Pie our last night with a friend and it's an option as well, but is more of a younger crowd and this is were I hit my only real douche bag the entire stay.

So back to Connie's place. So we had a great time at the webcast that night, so great that I do not remember much. :cool: One thing not to forget about this place is that you will not always have a good time here, you will have a great time. Connie is a sweetheart and makes sure her guest have a grand time. She also provides coozies to keep those beers cold. And if someone goes there soon can you please bring her a couple as I jacked one on accident.

So after hitting the point of no return I whip out my phone and give a driver a call. Sorry mon me back home in Sav. So I call a second driver, sorry mon me home back in some other place not called Negril. So I call a third driver and than a fourth driver and same story. So if you have a consistent night time driver please post it in Gerry's thread he started recently. This is a need on the West End at night. Good thing an expat was kind enough to give us a lift. Thanks expat, you know who you are. :p

Sat chill day and Seastar show soon come.....

Pooper!! Love that smile:p

Ooooo, thanks for the inside scoop on Pisces. I know I will love...esp the outdoor shower, but I know +1 will feel your pain about the sh*tt*r.