From the SPA
Home free 

Once upon a time there was a litter of 10 puppies. The girls were named Lunes through Sábado, and the four boys were John, Paul, George and Ringo. They were a smart, bright-eyed bunch, and most of them went on to be successfully, if uneventfully, adopted, but there was nothing uneventful about the story of Miércoles.

 (In the old children’s rhyme, Wednesday’s Child is full of woe, but that hasn’t been her lot at all—if anything she should have been called Thursday, for this pup had far, far to go.)

She grew into a comely young lady and was adopted early this year. But a month later, she was found wandering and hungry in the Jardín by Brenda and Robin, two Canadians who were in town with Iguana’s hit show The Love List. They fell in love, called her Audrey and gave her food, shelter and protection while searching for a permanent home for her. Then, one day SPA board member, Kathi, passed them on the street and Miércoles/Audrey leaped toward her in joyful recognition. A quick call to her adoptive parents revealed that Miércoles had “escaped,” and the family had made no efforts to find her. In fact they now had a new puppy.
When Brenda and Robin regretfully returned to Canada, they felt they had found a stable home for Audrey, but it wasn’t to be. A week later there she was, standing outside the door of the SPA, asking to come in. (Whether she had again “escaped” or been dropped off somewhere nearby, we were never to know. She is pictured here, in protective custody, shortly after her return.)

As soon as Brenda heard Audrey was back in the SPA, she was determined that the only solution was to find a way to bring her to Canada. So began one of those collaborations that is as amazing as it is heartwarming. Kelly Karger of Save a Mexican Mutt contacted Kelley Wilkinson (a friend and benefactor to both the SPA and SAMM) who agreed to take Audrey with her on an upcoming trip to North Carolina. In the meantime Brenda and Robin, who had been living in a Toronto apartment with several cats, went for a drive in the Ontario countryside and fell in love with a gracious old farmhouse that became their dream home—a move they say they never would have been prompted to consider if they hadn’t decided to adopt Audrey. Robin finally drove down to North Carolina in May and brought their rambling girl home. We have since received a grateful letter saying that while they know they’ve changed Audrey’s life, she has completely transformed theirs, and they are thrilled with each other.

By the way, Audrey’s sisters Sábado and Martes (also pictured here) are still at the SPA. Come check them out if you’re interested in a great lineage and want to add love and loyalty to your own life.

Meanwhile, don’t forget our gala fundraiser on July 22. Tickets are on sale now at the mail drops and in the Jardín on Thursdays from 11am–1pm at the SPA table. It will be a dazzling affair featuring the music of Doc Severinsen and Gil y Cartas. The proceeds will benefit the SPA and Amigos de Animales in San Miguel and Guanajuato; these organizations are also dedicated to the care of local animals. You can also purchase tickets online at www.animalwelfaresma.org.
 
Visit all the great SPA animals in person 11am–2pm weekdays at Los Pinos 7, a right turn off Calzada de la Estación, just before the bus station or call 152-6124 for further information.