April 06, 2007, Better Than Ever!, By Mauri Formigoni

While calling to confirm addresses for the Annual General Meeting of the Sociedad de Protectora de Animales, I was appalled to hear from several people their concern and sympathy for the “dilemmas,” we were in.

I quickly calmed concerns and said, “Regardless of what you have heard or read, we are better than ever! Our adoptions rates are up, the board is compatible and solid, and contributions and memberships continue to climb.” San Miguel loves a juicy story and if there is political infighting, all the better. But those who were unhappy with the changes have now resigned and those of us who remain are steadfast and the SPA is thriving! Please don’t worry or stay away because of fears of political fighting. It simply isn’t true. We have adopted 55 animals in the past several months, a higher rate than ever before. And that is the whole point, no? The animals come first, before anything.

One day, I was told an unfunny joke by a friend. It seems the SPA was being likened to a retirement home for street dogs because, proudly, we are a no-kill facility. We do not put dogs down because they have been at the shelter for some time.

Only animals that are ill, very aggressive, or seriously injured and suffering are sacrificed and that, thank God, is rare. Our main population is made up of excellent adult dogs who, as in the case of Mama (a good old girl about 3 or 4 years old) are still waiting. Mama was adopted by visitors who volunteered, and now lives happily with them in California. She walks well with them, is invited to dinner parties with them, and is house broken.

I have fallen in love with some new beauties who razzle, dazzle, and flash, like Canela, the beautiful red min pin who came in off the waiting list to be snapped up by adoptive parents. But my heart still belongs to those beauties of ‘a certain age’ who try harder to please and have to win your heart with their goodness, such as Savannah who has been here several years. She is black and brown and when we took her to the Jardín one Thursday she tried all day to win a home. She lifted her paw to shake, and sat and wagged her tail, and did every trick she could think of. She is a classic! And still available!

A donor friend, Marie Rudloff, is offering an incentive: complimentary training sessions for each adult dog adopted in April. The dog trainer, Tomas Herrera Bustamante, a very gentle and loving man who is excellent working with dogs and people, agreed to offer free training classes to the owners and their newly adopted adult dogs—that’s five sessions working together to make their adjustment easier and more agreeable.

Please take a good look at our classic, not old, adults still in their prime, and consider the added benefit: free training by a talented and caring guy, who is bilingual and pleasant, and a dog eager to please and willing to be yours. Two benefits at once! These are often our best dogs! They are level, not excitable, willing to please and to learn new tricks, and they have finished their adolescence, a large added benefit. They provide emotional support to those of us who live alone, or feel alone, and know when we are upset or sick or unfriendly, illustrating their love with a wag of a tail, licking your face, or just staying close in order to reassure us that all is well. That is a kind service, indeed.

Check on our website at www.spasanmiguel.org for more photos of our dogs and see who interests you, then come down to visit. The more you visit, the more you understand what these dogs have to offer. The shiny ones disappear quickly. The ones who remain develop a patina of old gold, hard to see, but ever improving and worth the trouble.

The Sociedad Protectora de Animales is located at the far end of calle Canal, which has become Calzada de la Estación. We are on Los Pinos 7, the bright green building just off the larger street. Our hours are Monday to Friday, 10am–2pm for appointments with the veterinarian, Christina. Volunteer hours and visiting hours are 11am to 2pm. Cost for adoption is 250–300 pesos which includes sterilization and vaccinations, as well as check-ups following adoption.