Sparkles in the air
By Mauri Formigoni

It often happens that several of us at the shelter focus on a particular animal at the same time. That animal becomes the darling of the day. The one I must write about today is a cute little white and tan wire-haired terrier mix, a year-old neutered male with a gentle personality and demeanor.

His name is William and he looks like the canine star of the movie My Dog Skip. What is there about an animal that takes everyone’s eye and attention at the same time? Certain animals seem to sparkle and we promise to get them clean, calmed and ready to be adopted into a good home. He came in from Atotonilco, and was dirty, bedraggled, a bit sad and frightened, covered with sand burrs (no sparkles). But now he is clean, loving and very mellow for a terrier, and we have all fallen for him. He is a lapdog extraordinaire. He will not be homeless for long.

I want to catch you up on recent older dog adoptions: Amigo, the giant black lab, was adopted and will live happily ever after on a rancho. Bonanza, the brindle who was our next oldest resident (for three years) was happily adopted. Diego, another black lab, was adopted and is content in his new home, as are his owners. Snickers, the dog I described several weeks ago who sits at the drop of a hat, confirmed that manners pay off. We are no longer the retirement home for street dogs, successful at older dog adoptions finally, due to the hard work and enthusiasm of Kathi Hamblet, our dog volunteer coordinator, and our terrific volunteers. We still have room for volunteers who are willing to schedule an orientation session with Kathi and work at training and socializing dogs. It always pays off. I recently adopted a new dog, another Great Dane rescue, totally unsocialized. So she is a 1½-year-old puppy, who steps on my toes, takes a dump in the dining room, grazes the stovetop, chases cats and drinks from the toilet. We have a lot of work to do together.

We have fewer kittens now and so we look again at our mature cats. Male cats always seem to be more docile than females, though both are sterilized, and there are few fights between males. Bogey, a neutered male who keeps his tough guy gaze, is a wise and affectionate pet who wants a home.

He is stable, attractive and good company. When visitors enter the male cat house, he greets and volunteers to be petted, and is willing to choose you, if you care for a new cat.

We are located at Los Pinos 7, just off Calzada de la Estacion and are open for volunteers and adoptions 11am–2pm, Mon–Fri. For the clinic, please call 152-6124 for an appointment with the veterinarian, Dr. Cristina. A reminder: we offer low costs (actually below cost) for lower income people of San Miguel, but in order to continue work with the shelter and clinic, we must ask those of you who can afford it to pay fees closer to those of other local clinics. Our website is: wwww.spasanmiguel.org. The motto of the Sociedad Protectora de Animales is “Hope, Health and Homes for Cats and Dogs in Need.” Donations in the present, as well as future donations from your estate, are always gratefully accepted. Please continue to help us help them.