January 26, 2007, Could you turn down this face?,By Mauri Formigoni

Look at this winner! Brie is a large, half-grown female puppy with some Golden Retriever relatives somewhere. She is lovely and so soft you want to pet her constantly.

About four and a half months old and growing quickly, expect that she will be a large dog, incredibly sweet, intelligent, and loving. She is responsive to requests, and rolls on her back exposing her belly, hoping to be petted. She is simply irresistible. Brie feels like a live teddy bear who is trying hard to please and win someone’s heart and a home. She adores children and runs to them. Do you have room for this special girl? She is one in a thousand…

Minerva is a young adult female cat—a bit shy but affectionate. She lies in the window waiting for friends and then ducks and hides. This has an easy cure. She needs more people time. We have volunteers who handle the cats, but it’s never enough.

Minerva needs to learn that we can be trusted, give pleasure and that we will not hurt her. She’s a grey tabby with gorgeous green eyes and is quite elegant and petite. You need to see for yourself.

Let me explain one of our new policies that has posed a problem for some people. We are again full, as usual, and have many people with animals they want to surrender. Last week, our list of waiting animals was 50 long, and this is in order to house the animals we have accepted comfortably. Many people have become angry and we must listen to threats of horrible things that may occur to the animals if we do not accept them. Our secretary called every one last week and learned that 20 had found homes for their dogs or cats, so our list is down to 30. We are beginning to accept two or three animals a week from the waiting list, so please be patient. This is the best we can do for all the animals.

We are interviewing for a permanent, paid position of shelter manager, four hours a day, five days a week. Requirements include a love of animals, a positive attitude, bilingual and managerial skills for working with volunteers and staff. Please stop by the office or leave a résumé with a board member. It’s a good place to work.

Remember to renew your SPA membership for 2007. We have a general meeting and election in March, and we need you to be able to vote and help shape our future. Membership is 350 pesos per person. You can renew at the office, online, or in the Jardín on Thursdays from 11:15am–1:15pm. Please, we need your energy and ideas.

The SPA is located at Los Pinos 7, just off Calzada de la Estación near the bus station. Hours for the veterinarian are Monday–Friday, 10am to 2pm. Visitation and volunteer hours are Monday through Friday from noon to 2pm. Visit our website at www.spasanmiguel.org. Please call for an appointment at 152-6124, or for information about the animals or volunteering call me at 154-5930.

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.