Help Needed!
By Mauri Formigoni

We have a very dear dog that was rescued from a life of solitary isolation. She was attached with a chain to a barrel and fed table scraps. She got little exercise, play, or contact with other dogs or people. When she was rescued, she attached herself passionately to her rescuer and would not leave his side. She had several months of freedom, good food and cuddling, and life began to look up. One day she waited under his car for him to come out, and he came, started the car, and the tire ran over one leg and now she limps.

The family, however, had six dogs and felt the burden of too many dependents. So they decided to offer Chiquita for adoption with the SPA. 

She has won many hearts, though has not spent much time with children. We believe she is six years old, spayed, a small but stout dog that walks with a limp, but has learned to enjoy people and the human touch.

Her breed is part Chihuahua and part Beagle, possibly. She will not grow any larger, and would be a good companion dog for someone who would like company. She is not a big exerciser, nor does she have excess energy nor need discipline. Chiquita just wants more good attention, kind hands and freedom.

A beautiful cat who may give you comfort and solace is Marimba, the mother cat of a small litter of half-grown, long-haired kittens. Now spayed, she is also a long-haired cat with calico markings and is beautiful and serene, and can sit with you these long winter days.

With winter quickly approaching, we find we do not have enough towels or blankets and would appreciate your used ones. We also would like to add heat lamps to the jaulas for the kittens, puppies and smaller dogs. If you can help us with the cost of equipment and utilities, please send a contribution to the shelter specifically for that purpose or use PayPal at our website: www.spasanmiguel.org. 

We have a small but excellent core of volunteers who genuinely love dogs and cats. Our new program of working one-on-one with dogs is proving successful and many older dogs have been adopted because they are calmer and sit when requested. If you care to work with this kind of intimacy, we need you! We want the dogs who respond to be calm, unafraid, socialized and ready to be adopted. Please come down to the shelter at 11 am on Monday or Thursday to meet with Kathi Hamblet and get a brief orientation to our animals. Then you may choose your hours and days to work with “your dog” and know that you are contributing something valuable to the animals and San Miguel. We are located at Los Pinos 7, just off Calzada de la Estación (Canal) and are open M–F, 10am–2pm. Our number is 152-6124 for an appointment.