The Dogs of St. Augustine

This story is based on historical events that took place in St Augustine, Florida at the tail end of the year 1702. It is told through the eyes of Alba, a small white puppy who was left behind when his ship sailed without him. He meets the resident dog pack and is befriended by them. Adventures abound as he learns about life on land and what his place will be in the town.

Their world is turned upside-down when the English invade from the north and 1,400 Spanish citizens take refuge in the Castillo de San Marco along with cattle herded into the empty moat. A tense waiting game with several skirmishes over the next month-and-a-half is finally resolved on Christmas Day.

All of the humans characters who interact closely with the dogs are made up, however Governor Zúñiga, the other men of the garrison whom I mention by name as well as the doomed Juan de Galdonia are all real. I used the St Augustine Historical Society for my reference material footnoting specific actions that the Spanish took during the siege.

All of the dogs are all based on early breeds; Spitz, Shipperkie, Catahoula Leopard Hounds and the rare and fascinating Carolina Dog.