Best Bark About Costa Rica: Having the same name as Costa Rica's President!

Worst Bark About Costa Rica: The Canopy Tour wasn’t long enough!

Costa Rica has got to one of my woofiest stops. Patricia Artimana from El Arca de Noe arranged a great big adoption event at the Country Day School and 7 dog adoption agencies joined and brought some dogs that were looking for love in the heart of San Jose. Everything was perfect- the weather, the food, the company-and the venue. Real Top Dog stuff! 11 dogs were adopted during the course of the day and the event was well supported through the media (thank you!). I also got to meet Carla from Mckee Project, the leaders of SASY, as well as Patrick O'Marr from WSPA Costa Rica. Great people, great objectives. Great minds. Another great moment came meeting all the kids of Country Day School. I did my yip-yap, and couldn't believe how many questions I was asked asking them to ADOPT A DOG! 'Oscar, have you been to Alaska?' 'What are you Oscar?' (Well, if I got a bone every time I was asked that question, I'd be a 'bonified' millionaire!) 'What's your favorite country Oscar?' Well, Costa Rica, OF COURSE! It was a fantastic morning!

Costa Rica is so unique on so many levels, but the monumnets for Streeet dogs in the busiest down town area - an initiative by the greatest lady in Costa Rica, Patricia Artimana - is defintly one of the most unique things Iv'e sniffed out on this tour. 7 statues align the streets that each tell a story about a street dog. Take a look at the photo's and you'll see how cool they are. I think I look pretty cool sitting with them too...woof woooooof!

There were a number of high lights and I mean High! I became the fist dog to do the canopy tour; the first to do the upgraded Superman Canopy 'Fly'- Now don't be getting worried- being the coolest canine in the business, being afraid of heights is the last thing on my mind - the street dogs and the need for sterilization in Costa Rica is the first- and I'l fly for them anyday! The great news is that Costa Rica is like the shining example for the dogs in Central America. There are a number of sterilization projects in the country (many supported by a group called SASY) and the teams are trying to expand more beyond their borders where the state of dogs is simply appalling. It was also my first time in a gyrocopter- I went to sniff out the top of the Arenal volcano but the rain arrived first. Call it nature, I still got the sulks!

A special bark of thanks to Patricia – and her two friends and great supporters of our visit, Alexandra and Valerie. The trio made my stay in Costa Rica, great fun, productive and most entertaining – and the take out sushi and Indian cuisine was pretty hot too.

To supporters of the adoption event, namely Pedigree and others, yum yum with thanks. To Bill at Country Day School for providing the venue and to all the local agencies that made the event such a national statement for Costa Rica. Sasy, WSPA, Karin of Animales de Asis who gives up every single Sunday to rescue stray dogs…and of course Carla of the McKee Project- thanks for all the contacts and for helping to start the much needed practice of sterilzation through Central America! Lasly, to Turu Ba Ri who sponsored mu jungle bashing in the anme of destitute dog-kind and took me canopy ‘Woofing’ and jungle gyming. And for letting me do the 1200 meter ‘Superman’ tram over the jungle…you guys really rock for trusting my instincts. First dog in the canopies, and I owe it all you! THANK YOU. Costa Rica, I love your sniffs, your people, your dogs you’re your Patricia! I’m glad I came to do my business in your woof of the woods!