Belize — The Vaca That Wasn’t. But Still Grateful.
Jim and I decided to spoil ourselves this winter for a number of reasons, and went to the world’s most perfect resort, Victoria House, on Ambergris Caye, Belize. And it truly is perfect, with stunning grounds and views, super comfy accommodations (we stayed in Casita #4), great food, and the kindest and friendliest staff I can ever remember. It’s very pricey, it was a huge splurge for us, but if you can afford it and want a beachside vacation, don’t miss it.
Here’s a look at the grounds:
Except, we are calling it “Worst Vacation Ever” not because we got there a day late due to a 10 hour delay in the Madison airport, but because Jim and I both got sick, without question from food at the Atlanta hotel we had to stay in between flights.
As a result, Jim spent the majority of the trip inside, in bed, in the dark, unable to eat or sleep. I was also ill, but fared better than Jim and was able, for example, to sit on our porch and read and enjoy sitting at the cafe.
I was able to go on two snorkeing trips, which were great. (Ambergris Divers–highly recommended). Jim even made it on the second snorkel, on one of his “a little better” days, but had to go back to the boat after just ten minutes because he was exhausted. I was sorry he missed this green sea turtle that I got to see grazing like a cow after he left. (Thank you guide Gio for diving down and taking this photo with my cheapish underwater camera.)
I was also able to watch Pelicans and Magnificent Frigatebirds jostle for scraps that fishermen were throwing off the dock.
In six days, Jim had one afternoon and one morning in which he felt well enough to do things, so the morning after our snorkel together (that included a wild, bone shattering exciting ride through a downpour back to the resort) we went on a “guided bird tour.” It wasn’t what I expected, but we did get rewarded with these two Roseate Spoonbills and a heron.
And this male and female iguana resting in the trees:
I wish I had more for you, but truly most of my time was lying around reading (The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley? Amazing!), taking care of Jim, (FYI, an Emergency House Call with an excellent physician and five medications cost a total of $166.), and trying to find something I could eat. Silver lining is that I lost five pounds, Jim lost ten. Christmas cookies will make up for that.
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: It’s a Christmas Miracle! Jim and I have turned a corner and actually felt halfway like ourselves by Sunday.
We had a heartwarming holiday party with our neighbor friends, who are as funny, smart, and kind as any friends could be. I made up some goody bags for them full of homemade scones, banana bread, ketchup in an old fashioned bottle, and Jim’s famous Christmas cookies. In the foreground is a chocolate pumpkin cake that I am going to make over and over again. I got it from a magazine but it doesn’t say which one on the sheet I ripped out, otherwise I’d link you to a recipe.
Famous far and wide, these are THE best sugar cookies you have ever had in your life.
I tortured my dear, dear dogs to end with this silly photo. I think their faces make it clear what trusting, wonderful dogs they are to put up with me.
But, then, full disclosure, I remembered an earlier photo of Maggie, which makes it pretty clear how she feels about it all.
That’s not far off from how I feel about much of the year 2025. It hasn’t been the best year for us in many ways. But it was also full of love, and compassion, and the passion to do good things, and I can get all gooey thinking of how grateful I am for so much of my life. I am one very, very lucky woman. Part of why I’m so lucky is because of you — I mean that sincerely, truly. Your comments and humor and wisdom fill my head and my heart. If I could, I send each and every one of you a pretty bag of scones and banana bread and Jim’s famous cookies. Consider them sent from my heart to yours.
I’m going to take a holiday break, I hope you can too. I’ll see you again, with bells on my toes and lots to report about the novel, in early 2026. May your holiday season, no matter how you celebrate it, be full of moments of joy, wonder, and love.
Love,
Trisha, Jim, Maggie, and Skip
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About the Author
Patricia B. McConnell, PhD, CAAB Emeritus is an applied animal behaviorist who has been working with, studying, and writing about dogs for over twenty-five years. She encourages your participation, believing that your voice adds greatly to its value. She enjoys reading every comment, and adds her own responses when she can.
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Patricia is known the world over for her clear and engaging books and DVDs on dog training and canine behavior problems. You can also “meet” Patricia in person on her seminar DVDs, from The Art & Science of Canine Behavior to Treating Dog-Dog Reactivity.
What a shame about your vacation. We went years ago and it is a magical place esp the snorkeling. Glad all is well and you can enjoy your holidays.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Sounds like your holidays are getting back on track with all the good stuff: fun, food, friends, family, and of course the pets! They look adorable! What we do to our pets for photos!!! Glad you are both feeling better, what a beautiful place to recover in! It looks AMAZING! Wishing you all the best in the New Year!
Thank you for a fantastic blog! So looking forward to your book release in February 2026, I pre-ordered to my kindle months ago! All the best to you, yours, and this entire community!
Happy Holidays!
Thank you for your treasured words and advice throughout the year!
Sorry to read of your sickness but it seems you were able to make the most out of your trip to Belize. Thanks for sharing pictures of your adventure including dog pics; love them. Happy Holidays and hope you come back in 2026!
Sorry your vacay was filled with challenges. My 2025 was not so good either (broken bones – mine, and multiple injuries and tick infections- dogs, among other challenges i won’t go into) but, as you are, I’m grateful for another year. One thing that consistently raised my spirits and interest has been your posts. So thank you, I am especially grateful for your continued writing and thoughts.
Best Snowy Wishes to you too, from your Canadian village. May 2026 be a better year for you, for us, for our troubled World . . .
Best wishes for memorable holidays, Trish, Jim, Maggie, and Skip!
Sending you and yours a very Merry Christmas. Sorry the vacay wasn’t quite what you had hoped for but what beautiful images all the same. Here’s to a better New Year for us all.
You and your 2 and 4 footed family have been in my life for many, many years. Your books are reread almost as often as my cherished 60+ year old copy of My Friend Flicka. Through the years, I have embraced your thoughts and observations of dogs and their odd and funny lives. Your name often comes up in my conversations with friends and clients.
I so look forward to these posts, these glimpses of a life enjoyed. I have learned so much from you and I am grateful.
Happy Christmas to you.
Dear Patricia, Jim, Maggie, and Skip,
Thank you for a really wonderful Christmas letter. Despite the certain trials and low spots that are always part of life, you reminded me of how really fortunate so many of us are.
Sincerely,
Judith (human), Conlan (GSD), Oona (kitty), Misty and Digger (equines)
Happy holidays to the four of you, and here’s hopes that 2026 (can you imagine???) brings you all good health. I spare my dogs holiday pictures these days, after torturing my previous canine buddies with pictures as reindeer pulling a sled, or wearing Santa hats on agility equipment. I could no longer bear those Maggie looks!
Hi, Patricia:
Sorry to hear about you and Jim getting sick on your way to Belize, but happy that there were some good moments while in my home country and that you both ended up recuperating afterwards. If you ever make it back, check out the south; it’s absolutely gorgeous (https://www.travelbelize.org/destinations/southern-belize/). The chocolate from down there also make nice souvenirs for friends and family, and you can get some weird but tasty combinations, like black pepper chocolate. Cotton Tree Chocolate, Mahogany Chocolate, as well as the powdered chocolate drinks are all really good.
Happy holidays, and here’s to a phenomenal 2026!
Oh Trisha! You have such a sunny nature that you see the highlights in a poopy vacation! Wishing you all the warm and cozy stuff.
Love you Trish! See you in the New Year!
Dear Trisha,
I’m so sorry to hear about your sickness while on vacay in Belize, what a bummer!
I love the pics of the pups, they make me laugh when I think of how I used to do that to my doggies too! Sad to say, I lost my best friend of over 14 years last month, Ben, who was my wonderful border collie…I miss him so much.
Wishing you and Jim the best in 2026, and I hope we can all survive another crazy year without too much pain!
Every time I see your email on here I have to smile even before I open it. You are so full of joy and do such interesting things with dogs and other humans. Just decided to respond today for the first time ever. Your trip to Belize brought back the same memory to me in Hawaii many years ago. We were staying in that hotel where Elvis Presley sang as he floated down the little canal. It was a beautiful hotel and I was in bed totally miserable. I bet everybody has a story like that. Thank you for sharing in all of these wonderful emails every week. It keeps me hopping and focused on my pups. Have a lovely holiday season full of love and joy and puppy licks.
Oh dear! I wish you had happier vacation stories to tell. May Jim completely recover very soon. May all of you, humans and canines have a good holiday week
If I can caption Skip and Maggie: “Thank God it’s only once a year!” And thank you Trisha for this blog. When it comes to a dog issue, I ask myself, ‘what would Trisha do?’ Merry Christmas and best wishes for an even happier and healthier new year!
Happy belated holidays from the East Coast! Had our first but manageable snow storm overnight. Belize looks much nicer! I am glad you and Jim are feeling better. The dogs body language and facial expressions are priceless. Thank you for all you do – I read every word.
Happy New Year, Trisha and family, and may your 2026 vacations be much healthier (and more fun) for both of you! Looking forward to the publication of “Away To Me”, at last!
A long hike today and trazodone after dinner – both dogs are snoozing through the first fireworks tonight (whew!).
Happy New Year Chris! Sounds like a lovely night. It’s snowing here (again), and I love it. But not as much as Skip, who is
FINALLY cool enough when he rolls in the white stuff.