From the SPA, Sept 1, 2006
By Christine Foster

Destiny’s child

 

he was skinny and sick with a tattered end of plastic rope around her neck. She also had two seeping scars from where she had been tied with wire. The owners brought her in to the SPA clinic, wanting her looked at for vomiting.

Our vet tactfully suggested that since the dog was obviously not cared for—left tied all day and neglected—maybe they didn’t really want her. They said they’d talk about it, and sure enough, they never came back for her. 

My teenage daughter, who works at the SPA, looked deeply into the terrified (very human) brown eyes of the emaciated black dog and cried. Not because she hasn’t seen hurt and frightened and abused animals before—she’s seen dozens. She cried because this animal is a pit bull, and she knew that meant it would be hard to find her a real home. My daughter named the dog Karma and begged that she be given a chance. At first, everyone gave Karma’s cage a wide berth, just in case. But my daughter went right in, sat with her, fed her and hugged her, and she was right: the dog is gentle, grateful and shows absolutely no sign of aggression either to people or other dogs. Karma is putting on a bit of weight, her ears are up and she has stopped trembling. (We adopted an abused pit bull mix ourselves from the SPA over a year ago and can vouch for what a great heart she turned out to have. She is loving, goofy and loyal.) Karma’s life is finally turning around, and she’s going to be a healthy, sensitive, young adult who may
, with just a little luck, still get picked despite being “the wrong breed.” 

Personally, I think one of the most striking color combinations in cats is the dark tortoiseshell. Like all calico variations, they are invariably female. I never thought torties were all that common, yet, strangely, at the moment we have about six in various stages of kitten and adulthood. Pictured here is Thistle. Sinuously loving and always eager for a friendly scratch, Thistle and her sister, Tootles, are adorable young cats who have been with us nearly a year—a year too long. They are fascinating to look at and strikingly beautiful. Like Karma, they deserve much more than they have. The pleasure they’ll bring in comforting and entertaining their owners is beyond measure. 

The costs of feeding and providing medicine and care our four-legged charges continue apace. We are also investing in a brand-new puppy playroom to give them sunshine and exercise. If you can help out with a donation of any size at this time, please stop by the Jardín on Thursdays between 11:15am and 1:15pm or go online to www.spasanmiguel.org and make a secure donation using PayPal.

More good news: One of our long-time volunteers, Zena Edwards, has offered to start a registry of lost and found animals. If you know of anyone who has found or is looking for a lost pet, please call her at 152-8593.

The Sociedad Protectora de Animales is open from 12 to 2pm Monday through Friday, for adoptions and volunteers. The clinic is open from 9:30am to 2pm. A donation of 250 to 300 pesos is requested for adoption and includes sterilization. We are located at Los Pinos 7, a right turn off Calzada de la Estación. Telephone: 152-6124.