When it was apparent to me that I used to be beginning end-of-life look after my treasured 13-year-old German Shorthair Pointer combine I texted a good friend, “I needed to look into adopting a Potcake … You, after all, are my professional in all issues Potcake! … Any steering you may give could be nice …” Twenty-one days later I grew to become the mother to an cute brindle bundle of Potcake pleasure!
First, what’s a Potcake?
Miles’ first journey to the canine park. Images courtesy Wendy Newell.
“Maintain on a second!” I can hear you saying, “What on the earth is a Potcake?” Wonderful query and one I’ve a number of apply answering.
Potcakes are the mixed-breed road canines of a restricted gene pool of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. On these islands, the locals cook dinner a pea and rice stew that leaves a cakey substance on the underside of the pot. This “pot cake” is fed to the road canines — therefore the title! The Bahama’s Kennel Membership does contemplate Potcakes a breed, though we don’t at this level in america. The precise combine actually will depend on what canines had been launched to the islands previously. (You now must fill out paperwork and get permission to convey exterior canines into these islands.)
How do you undertake a Potcake?
Miles first go to to Grandma and Grandpa’s. Images courtesy Wendy Newell.
I used to be fortunate as my good friend’s dad and stepmom are lively within the rescue neighborhood of the Bahamas and loving Potcake dad and mom themselves. They graciously discovered my pup for me and labored to get him throughout the US to California, to his new dwelling.
There are a selection of people and teams that assist not solely save and prepare adoptions for the Potcakes of the islands however lead efforts to assist scale back the variety of homeless canines via spay and neuter packages. One of the crucial well-known teams, Potcake Place, relies in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands.
There, vacationers may also help by visiting their adoption middle to socialize with the canines and even borrow one to take out on the seaside for an journey. You possibly can even volunteer to assist convey adopted pups again to the states. Potcake Place gives all the mandatory objects and paperwork for the canines to fly and could have somebody meet you at your vacation spot airport to get the fortunate canine to her new dwelling. In fact, you possibly can all the time undertake a pup to change into a member of your individual household!
It’s the wonderful individuals of those islands who donate time, cash, abilities and their houses to those canines. All of us Potcake house owners can be perpetually grateful for them. I used to be fortunate, I had an “in” via my good friend. Potcake Saga labored with an area girl in South Andros, donating her time rescuing these candy canines, to convey my Potcake to me.
What are Potcake puppies like?
Pet Miles will get prepared for a nap. Images courtesy Wendy Newell.
My good friend talked me into being happy with a pet regardless of my years of claiming, “I’ll by no means have a pet once more.” She insisted Potcake puppies are often very straightforward. I felt like I used to be being duped, however as soon as I noticed his image there was no going again.
On a very unhappy Sunday dinner when my beautiful associates had taken me out to assist cheer me up, I received a textual content with an image of my new pup. I began to cry proper there over my margarita. He was good and he was very quickly going to be with me.
What’s it like residing with a Potcake?
As I write this, Miles (named that as a result of he traveled so many to be with me) is 19 weeks outdated and I’ve to confess is the simplest pet I’ve ever met. I’m satisfied it’s a part of his DNA from years of ancestors surviving on their very own. He has solely been to 2 of his obedience courses and is a shining star.
From his very first evening with me he slept right through. He’ll go in his crate and be content material or nap on the mattress with me on his again, chest uncovered and prepared for any rubs which may come his means. Potty coaching was easy and quick. He hasn’t chewed up all the pieces in sight — but! He’s as near good as a pet can get.
What do Potcake dad and mom love about this breed?
Miles rests his head on the quilt I made for my earlier canine love, Riggins. Images courtesy Wendy Newell.
After turning into a brand new proprietor of such an fascinating breed, I did a fast Fb search and located others like me. The group posts photos of their cute Potcakes and Notcakes (what we Potcake house owners name a non-Potcake canine), sharing their tales and antics.
I requested a query of the members of Potcake Nation. What did they love most about Potcakes? I rapidly received over 150 responses and nearly that many photos. I’d like to share each single one with you however that appears a bit extreme, particularly as all of them have an analogous theme! Potcakes are good, loyal, energetic and loving pups. They could not all look alike however all of them appear to know that they’re fortunate to be rescued and in a loving dwelling.
Generally Miles will sit a sure means and it’ll remind me of the canine I misplaced earlier this yr. 13 years was a very long time collectively and when he was gone my coronary heart was damaged. Miles helped scoop me up and make me smile once more. He’s my candy island pup!
Thumbnail: Images courtesy Wendy Newell.
Concerning the writer
Wendy Newell is a former VP of Gross sales turned canine sitter, which retains her busy being a canine chauffeur, selecting up poop and sacrificing her mattress. Wendy and her canine, Riggins, take their always-changing pack of pups on adventures all through the Los Angeles space. Be taught extra about them on Fb @The Lively Pack and on Instagram @wnewell.
