Day Thirteen

Smokey, The Wonder Dog

I've been thinking about a little dog for the past few days. His name is Smokey.

Smokey has been bitten by a venomous snake and run over by a car-twice!

Smokey has had a long, hard life. He's been bitten by a venomous snake and run over by a car-twice! The second time Smokey was injured so badly by the car that the vet told him there was no hope. The vet gave Smokey a lethal injection and a few minutes later, the dog flopped over on his side and went stiff. Dave wrapped him in a blanket and dug his grave.

Over the past 1,200 years, the Maya have endured a collapse, and the scourge of the Spanish, who burned their history books, tortured them into submission, and nearly wiped them out with disease. In modern times, largely unjust governments have failed to care for them. Presently, more than three-quarters of the population of indigenous Guatemalans live below the poverty line, and lack access to both basic health services and potable water. But the Maya culture remains vibrant; they've steadfastly maintained their traditions, cuisine, and language.

	An elderly Maya woman carries a load of firewood.

Moments after Dave put Smokey in his grave, he noticed movement under the funeral blanket, then violent squirming. When Dave unraveled the blanket, Smokey leapt out. Like the Maya, tragedy after tragedy failed to crush the dog's indomitable spirit. That was five years ago and Smokey remains as feisty as ever.

Will the Maya of Central America also continue to prevail against the many hardships they face?

Pedals Up!

- Dan Buettner

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