Everydog!, By Mauri Formigoni, Sept 29, 2006

There is a type of dog one sees everywhere, and we have been calling them “San Miguel Especiales.” I have one, and he has cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews everywhere. Some are shorter and thicker, and some are longer and skinnier, but black and tan are their main colors.

That’s a Third World dog—street dogs to most people. When we plan to bring dogs to the Jardín we look for something a little special: some pizzazz, some glam, some breeding, but we have so many just plain good guys, nothing special—yet—to anyone. My street dog, Pablo, is the healthiest, most loyal, most protective pet I own, and I feel that these dogs remember the bad times and remain grateful to you for the rescue. He is my main dog of three, and I heartily recommend street dogs as pets. Let me show you a few.

Tippy is a prototypical Third-World dog. She was literally born at the SPA, and she is the last of her litter. No big reason. She is sweet, a bit shy, but young enough to be trained to do anything (she’s about a year old). She is a shepherd mix (aren’t they all?), which gives her intelligence, and though she has not lived on the streets, she has learned something by being part of this large dog community. She needs lots of love and attention, something she has never had, and she will lose that fearful look on her face. She could be a real winner! Maybe she’s waiting for you.

Poca is no glamour puss, but she is sweet and loving and would make a great pet for a little boy or girl. Doesn’t she look a bit like the dog they used in the “Our Gang” movies a hundred years ago, with the black drawn around one eye? Her black markings are not drawn on, but they are her most distinctive feature.

She is the ubiquitous Everydog, and she is a love and worth a second look. She is a white shepherd mix with beige spots and a dark beauty mark around her eye. She is healthy, spayed and ready to play. Take a closer look. There’s more to this dog than meets the eye.

We have lots of remarkable cats and dogs that should be featured here. Come down and take a look or check www.smasanmiguel.org to see the whole assortment that’s available. Or, come volunteer and meet the animals firsthand. We need petters and lovers and walkers all week from noon to 2pm. The Sociedad Protectora de Animales is at Los Pinos 7 just off Calzada de la Estación. The clinic is open from 10am to 2pm (phone 152-6124). Volunteers and adoptions cannot begin until noon when cleaning and feeding is completed. Join us in the Jardín on Thursdays from 11:15am to 1:15pm. We’ll have puppies and kittens there each week.

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.