From the SPA
By Natalie Hardy 

The Sociedad Protectora de Animales mourns the loss of Dorothea Stefen. She has been a loyal and reliable volunteer for several years, and specifically at our Thursday visit to the Jardín with the animalitos for adoption. Dorothea had a special connection to the kittens. She would hold them on her bosom, and they would simply relax into pudding on her soft warm self. Dorothea always came early and held our spot in the Jardín. She was a loving presence and the fortunate kittens who felt her grasp loved her in return.

The poem below came to me suddenly as an image in memory of this fine lady.

Dorothea

Your angel skin face smiles
At me from the park bench
Where you sit and wait for us
To show up with cats and dogs and
Literature and leashes and looks
Of kindness, caring, sharing
Sometimes even blaring moments
Of dogs raucously welcoming
Other canine passersby.
And you cuddle the kittens with
Loving care and mutual solace.