From the SPA
By Mauri Formigoni

A sweet young thing

Today we took a sweet young thing to the Jardín. She is six months old, spayed, healthy, sweet, and looking very much like a golden retriever who came by to greet her. We know she is a mix of several kinds of dogs, but her looks are definitely golden and collie.

I expect she will finally be a big girl, but right now she is gentle, energetic, trying very hard to please, and beautiful. Her name is Rascalita and she fits her name. She loves children, puppies, other dogs and people—especially people.

Another sweet young thing is a new cat named Pelusa who looks rather wild, a look I like a lot. She is not wild, but mild and a bit shy, though she can easily be won over.

She does not fight with other cats, is spayed and is gorgeous. She is still learning her way around cat land, having arrived just three weeks ago after delivering a litter of kittens. We do not have her kittens, but I can recommend her as a pet and hope you will consider her.

Here is the other half of the anonymous email I printed several weeks ago about instructions to animals.


To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit and Like to Complain About Our Pets

1. They live here. You don’t.

2. If you don’t want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That’s why they call it “fur”niture.)

3. I like my pets a lot better that I like most people.

4. To you, it’s an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn’t speak clearly.

Remember: In many ways, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

1. Eat less

2. Don’t ask for money all the time

3. Are easier to train

4. Normally come when called

5. Never ask to drive the car

6. Don’t hang out with drug-using friends

7. Don’t smoke or drink

8. Don’t have to buy the latest fashions

9. Don’t want to wear your clothes

10. Don’t need a “gazillion” dollars for college

11. And finally…If they get pregnant, you can sell their children! (Just kidding! We know you all spay and neuter your pets!)

Remember to come down to the Sociedad Protectora de Animales at Los Pinos 7, just off Calzada de la Estacion (formerly Canal), Mon–Friday, 11am–2pm. You are welcome to visit our puppies, kittens, dogs and cats, and if you find one you cannot resist, you may become its personal volunteer. We need caring, interested men and women who are willing to spend time alone with one animal, playing or talking.