Host Pup

Meet our new puppy, Ruda.



I have no idea if that's how it's spelled; it's Russian.  And my host sister wasn't able to tell me what it meant in English.  This pup is pretty much the most adorable thing ever.  He's very young, about 4 weeks they tell me.  Although in Georgian time that could be anything from 2 weeks to 2 months, estimating conservatively.

Sadly, I'm afraid he's going to have a bit of a harder life than the one puppies typically get where I'm from.  Georgians keep their animals pretty much outside, and Ruda lives in a shed in the backyard with a woochip-covered floor and a bowl that gets filled with table scraps periodically.  It's hard for me not to say anything but I have to remember always, of course, that this is not my house and not my culture, and it sure as hell isn't my place to be telling them how they should be treating their animals.  They all love him and I'm sure everything will be fine... I just want to spoil the lil guy with a ton of stuff from PetSmart and it bugs me that I can't.

Georgian housetraining.  The hat is just 'cause it's awesome.