November 03, 2006, Looking for an old friend, By Mauri Formigoni

Did you ever feel when you looked into the eyes of an animal you just met, that you knew each other? I felt this way when I met Libby, a kind of Belgian Shepherd with soft ears but with a sense of old wisdom, like some folks we call Old Souls who we feel have experienced a lot in this world.

She has experienced a lot, I fear, and looks at you long and hard, and greets you with varying enthusiasm and celebration. She likes children and grown-ups but looks beyond the surface. You might say she is a “people whisperer.” She is wise beyond her years, and I am sorry not to be able to add her to my full animal family. She is very magnetic and charismatic, and you do not want to leave her at the SPA. She seems more special than other dogs and deserves more. Please come meet her. She will change you.

I am still fostering the calico sisters. They are four weeks old now and almost impossible to surrender. It’s easy rearing baby kittens; they just want food and comfort and a litter box, and I can do that.

But they are growing older, and I think I need to bring them to the Jardín to offer you these precious babies. You, too, can care for them. They prefer company, so please adopt two or more, so they have their siblings as comfort. They are all girls, mostly tri-colored, except for one grey and white. They are so dear. The kittens eat like the day is done and there is no more to be had, so they went from skinny things to fat and sassy little kittens, unbearably cute. Another cat worth looking at is Portia, a small grey and tan tiger. She is very shy but nonetheless affectionate and is searching for a good owner to take care of her. She is quite a delight, hiding and spying on you while she measures your worth. She is just a little girl kitten, flirting and winking at you, but give her a chance.

Morale is high now at the SPA and we are grateful for the spirits of those working together. There have been many good people in the past who worked hard and long for the benefit of the animals and somewhere along the line got worn out and dropped out. We are grateful to them for their work and miss them and hope to see them again when they are able to come back.

We have an exciting sale to benefit the SPA—great prices, good furniture and special tidbits for your pleasure at the Gran Bodega at the Salida a Queretaro just past Gigante on November 4 from 10am to 2pm. Please come!

The SPA is located at Los Pinos 7. On Monday through Friday, the clinic is open from 10am to 2pm; volunteer and visiting hours are Monday through Friday, noon to 2pm. The cost for adoption is 250 to 300 pesos, which includes sterilization and vaccinations. Donations are greatly appreciated. Call 152-6124 for clinic appointments.

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.