Faster than a speeding bullet
By Mauri Formigoni

More powerful than a locomotive; it’s a bird; it’s plane! No, it’s Rin Tin Tin! Do you remember the stories on the radio in the Good Old Days about the dog who rescued and protected children, who captured outlaws and recovered escaped criminals?!

The current heroine of our population is not Rin Tin Tin, but is Pochola (she doesn’t know that is her name), a purebred German Shepherd three-year-old spayed female who looks like she jumped out of a movie! We had the good fortune to get a short volunteer photo session from David Harris, a professional photographer from Toronto, and he made our dogs look glorious. We are grateful for any photographic help and to get a pro is quite a thrill.

She looks as good as this, though she is a bit less than brave and needs her confidence built. These dogs are often expected to be a fearless, even an aggressive breed, but not always. Much depends on their life experiences. They are highly intelligent and have a history of being guard and training dogs, guiding the blind, detecting drugs and being all-round heroes if properly handled.

Pochola is a sweet, loving girl who takes instruction well and walks happily on a leash with no apparent aggression. She is a smashing dog and will be a great pet for the right person or family who will give her exercise and guide her learning in a firm but kind manner. Again, she will not be long at the shelter, so if you have an interest, please come by soon to meet her.

Only a few of us remain who were spellbound by the brave hero of the West who put out fires and captured escaped cows and horses. That image remains in one’s mind for many years and so when I see this breed of dog, my heart leaps. I don’t know what Pochola knows, but she is capable of intense perception and obedience if given the chance. She is a rare opportunity awaiting a very cool and lucky owner.

Compare this heroine with Buffy, a very mellow yellow cat who loves to lie in the sun, stretching and purring. She is an affectionate adult tiger cat, spayed, and available for a new home. Couldn’t you use a bit of mellow yellow in your house?

We have a few charming adult cats who are soothing feline presences that give off good vibes to your home and are easy to live with. Consider your options and adopt. Life will be better for the action and you will know that you are saving an animal in need.

This is the time to renew your membership if you care about dogs and cats! For 350 pesos you can become a foundation of the organization. We are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the only full-time working shelter in town, usually full of extra, unwanted and appealing animals who have feelings, needs, problems and gifts, and we are there to meet those needs. But we cannot do it without you. We need your skills, ideas, financial help and insight to pay for food, care, medication, cleaning, protection and advertisements. Please give a darn and find which skills you possess and are willing to share. Can you pet puppies, cuddle kittens or walk dogs? Fine! We need you. Cannot physically deal with living critters, but can spare a few pesos? Fine! We need you. Cannot finance expansion, play with animals, or do computer work? Fine! We still need someone who cares and that could be you. Thank you for having a soft heart. Please contact us at 152-6124 and talk with Rosa, our manager, or write to me at mauriformigoni@hotmail.com.  Come visit and see who we have and where we are—Los Pinos 7, just off Calzada de la Estación (Canal), open Monday–Friday, 10am–2pm. Our website is www.spasanmiguel.org. Meet us on Thursdays at the Jardín 11:15am–1pm to show off a few kittens and puppies.