From the SPA
By Mauri Formigoni, July 28, 2006


The pokey little puppy

Do any of you remember the book The Pokey Little Puppy? It’s very old but has remained in print for a long time. It is stylisticly simple and repetitive, but I still remember each discovery the pokey little puppy made as he discovered what being alive was like. Each of his senses was awakened; he felt a tickly caterpillar and smelled a flower.

This is the kind of life we would like for each of our puppies: playing in the grass, digging in the ground and sleeping in the sun while discovering being alive. Unfortunately, no matter how many we adopt out (and the number increases each year), more are dropped off and some are turned away when there just is no room. They are put on a waiting list and often find a place with us. Puppies and kittens do not thrive in a dark, overcrowded cage where the sickness of one quickly spreads to all. So, we do the best we can. We have a fenced play area for the kittens who are healthy, and we have people who love to let the well puppies out for an hour to play, wrestle and run. If you find an abandoned puppy or kitten, try to find someone who will take it in, at least until we have room. Better yet—keep it!

Last Thursday, sitting in the Jardín with some of our flock, we were joined by a woman who had taken in a young (6- to 8-month-old), handsome, male German Shepherd mix, black with some brown on his face, but with a classic body. The dog belonged to a family who let it run freely, and because it was a bit pokey about getting out of the way of a car, it got bumped. Our friend offered to take it to the vet, and the original family asked her to keep it, which she couldn’t. The vet treated a bloody toe and ankle and pronounced Gulliver, the pup, a bit sore but otherwise fine and dandy. He was bought a handsome leather collar and leash, and he was very loving in the Jardín, pleasant and easy, but a strong boy. We hope someone will want him as a family pet because he’s affectionate, fun and energetic and would be an excellent family watchdog as well. And I doubt that he will poke around the street anymore.

My grandmother used to sing “There were three little kittens who lost their mittens, and they began to cry. Meeow, meeow…”. I loved that song at bedtime, although it has some of the same dark reassurance of “when the bough breaks, the baby will fall.” Actually, I think The Pokey Little Puppy is a far superior work of art.

Our many baby kittens will make you cry with desire, and so we’re putting in shopping carts so that you can fill them to your heart’s desire with young life. Buffy is a light tabby delight with the Energizer bunny battery inside her. She runs to meet friends and is very happy—even with the world she has to live in. Kittens are happier and easier to take care of in twos. They play together and sleep together and are never alone. I adore dogs, but they require almost constant involvement, while grown cats chase each other, decorate the house, and sleep an amazing amount of time.

I urgently remind all members of the SPA to come and vote for the board of directors on Wednesday, August 9, at 4pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Cardo 6. You will shortly be sent brief résumés of those running. Five positions are open. You make a big difference here. Don’t be pokey!

The SPA is located at Los Pinos 7, near the bus station, just off Calzada de la Estación. Volunteer and visiting hours are Monday to Friday, 12 to 2pm. For clinic appointments, call the SPA at 152-6124. For information on volunteering, animals, donations and how you can help, call Mauri at 154-5930.

Mauri Formigoni is an Associate Professor of Visual Arts at the University of Illinois, a long-time San Miguel resident and a lifelong animal lover. She can be reached at 154-5930 to answer questions.