Raphael the nomad

A small dog on an adventure all of his own landed up tired and more than a little stressed in Xlendi bay last weekend. He had followed a couple of walkers from Dwerja to Xlendi...a walk that probably took the best part of an hour and a half on a very hot day. He had already been spotted by someone the day before , anxiously searching cars for his owner but hadn’t been able to find him.  It seems that tragically he had been dumped....sadly not an unusual occurrence on these islands. He was hungry and thirsty and very disorientated. Luckily for him he was spotted by a friend of mine who was concerned,  already having four dogs of her own, she couln’t take him home. I was nearby and she asked if I would just look after him while the SPCA tried to locate the owner.  It turns out that he was not chipped and no one has registered him missing.

My Boy was over with me for a week and it didn’t take long for us to both to be under the spell of small dog.  An afternoon of name picking took place and when he finally looked interested in ‘Raphael’ and perked up his little black ears the Boy finalised that Raffi suited him very well. The 14c painter Raphael led a nomadic life and so the name seemed apt for this little wandering dog.  Suspected part Tal Cacca and part Pointer, Raffi is an interesting mix of small black and white spots and large black patches, a typical looking Maltese hunting dog. He has the sweetest nature and is very loving, quiet and seemingly house trained. Although he arrived with a host of biting fleas, a dose of Frontline and a bath with anti flea shampoo very quickly got rid of them. He looks about a year old but a necessary trip to the vet soon will confirm that. He’s healthy enough but it’s always as well to check. The SPCA pay for neutering of all stray animals, so that will be done too.  So for the meantime I am fostering Raffi until it is certain he does not have an owner who is looking for him. He is enjoying all the lovely walks I do here, sits quietly with me in the gallery and is generally settling in very well considering his ordeal....he’s a poppet ! 

Raffi and Boy loved the walk up the hill opposite Ta' Pinu Basilica. The views from the top offer a panoramic view of the whole island...stunning.

Raffi not yet convinced swimming in the chilly 19c sea is a good idea.