So far I have worked on two different homes in Dulac and both of them have had a strong impact on me but I think my experience at the second home, Bernard’s trailer, will turn out to be more influential. After two stinging blisters, multiple cuts on my hands from handling splintered wood, and sore knees from kneeling and plucking nails from the old woodwork I was able to take a break while waiting for a ride back to the community center. Like they say, no pain no gain. I was sitting with the group on Bernard’s steps when all of a sudden I see a little, white, and fluffy mound rise from inside the rusted and filthy rowboat in the driveway. I went over to the adorable puppy and played with him while he wagged his tail in utter delight.  It was Snowball, the family’s dog, however. I say that with reluctance because Snowball wasn’t really the family’s dog. They fed him and let him live outside their home. Snowball, most likely mixed-bred, had no collar and I am sure there was he was not registered by Bernard’s family, something we would make sure we do back at home. The concept of pets are different here and I think that is because of the different perspective on life, which I am slowly becoming familar with. I feel people down here simply accept their way of life and don’t struggle or strive to achieve a lavish style of life. As long as there is love in the family, a strong communtiy and a roof over their heads, the people of Dulac seem more than content. I think this “accepting” lifestyle is something that will stick with me and it will help me truly appreciate the things that matter most to me in life like family and culture, and make me more grateful. All of us on this trip may think we have such a wonderful life compared to the people down here but I think the people of Dulac feel they have a wonderful life too; we just have two very different standards of living. Snowball’s uplifting presence was a nice remedy to seeing all of the destruction from the hurricanes.