A Kees in the Land of Enchantment

One of the long time favorite columns in New Mexico Magazine is called "One of Our Fifty is Missing."  It is humerous accounts of the problems we, as citizens of the United States, have when dealing with people who think we live in a foreign country.  Like, when ordering something over the phone and being told they don't ship to any countries except the US.  I have had many conversations with people trying in vain to explain that we are actually the 47th state.  I one time asked someone what they called that space between Arizona and Texas.  We are the fifth largest State, you would think people would notice something that big!  I went with a high school band to Washington, DC.  A lady at the Smithsonian ask the kids where they were from.  Upon hearing their answer, she said, "Wow!  You speak very good English."  To which one of the smart alec kids replied, "So do you!"  

Imagine the problems of living in a very misunderstood state with a pair of a very unknown  breed of dog.  You would be amazed at some of the comments I get while out with the dogs.  They have been called everything from ChowChows to Raccoon Dogs.  One lady asked me if they were a cross between a cat and a dog.  When I tell them what breed they are, people will tell me, "Oh, I had one of those when I was a kid.  Only mine was bigger.  Are these miniatures?"  Or, "Mine was so much smaller.  I would have recognized them if they were the right size."    Just today, a lady told us on our walk that they were as furry as a minx.  Not sure what she meant by that, but she did say they were beautiful, so I'm okay with that.  

Other weird things they get called include Ewoks as is evident from the first picture. All Sadie needs is a little leather vest to complete the look. When I take the dogs to the library, the preschoolers call them "The Cotton Candy Dogs". The little ones like to run their fingers through the fur as they pretend to read. So, I guess what I am saying is that in a place that is different from any other place, it is only appropriate that my beloved keeshonden get called many different names. 

A lot of people think that New Mexico is all desert. While there are desert areas, we also have mountains, wetlands and plains.  A lot of our mountains include tundra which is above the timber line. The ski areas here regularly stay open from Thanksgiving to Easter. Yes, it does get very hot in places. But, the humidity here is very low. How do our Kees cope?  Obviously if you lived in an area that gets hot, they would have to stay inside with air conditioning all summer. Even if you live in the mountains like I do, there are things we do because of the dryness. I drink lots of water and use lots of lotion on my skin. Because of the clear air and high altitude here (7,000 ft.) we have a high UV index and sunscreen is a must. My dogs always have lots of water available to drink and I spritz them with cold water every day. There are lots of shady areas outside to protect them from the harsh rays of the sun and we also have air conditioning as well as a humidifier to add humidity to the air indoors. With all these precautions, I still have dry skin.  The dog's double coats help, and I think spraying them with water also helps keep their coats healthy. 

So, what should you expect should you come to visit our fair state?  Well, for one thing, the food here is unlike anywhere else.  Not really Mexican and certainly NOT Tex-Mex.  It probably goes back to our roots as a Spanish coloony.  In northern New Mexico, they still speak Castillian Colonial Spanish, not the Mexican dialects spoken in the rest of the country.  So, with both food and the language different, how, do you ask, do you order in a restuarant?  Here, chile is a vegetable and served with every meal.  If you are not from here, don't order "hot".  Most people will say that the green is hotter than the red, but if you order "Christmas" (both red and green on the same plate) that is a moot point.  I personally prefer the taste of the red better.  

New Mexico is diverse climate wise as well.  In winter, you can sunbathe at White Sands National Park and see the snow on Sierra Blanca.  You can ski on snow in the morning and sand in the afternoon.  It is possible (and probable) to get a sun burn at both locations.  There is everything from desert to wetlands and high mountains.  

Unique climate zones means unique wildlife.  Becaue of the vast open spaces, animals from other places have been brought in in attempts to save an endangered species.  In one case, Barbary Sheep, there is a higher population here than there is in their native land on the Barbary Coast of Africa.  In the photos that follow, there is a herd of Oryx (also imported from Africa and having no real predators here, they have really multiplied).  Elk can be found in most of the mountain areas, and the Pronghorn Antelope are found in the plains. We have mostly Mule Deer here, but there are some White Tail deer in the southeast. If you live in the mountains like I do, your outdoor planting not only has to meet the planting zone, it is also helpful if it is "deer resistant". As you can see from the picture, lilacs are not. Again, the watch dogs just watch the plants get eaten to the ground. The last picture is one of our local Blue Herons. They like to roost behind the house in the mornings to get the sun. Huge, beautiful birds.