From the SPA
By Beverly Russell

Top of the pops

Tico

Rio, Avelita and Marquesa

No one seems to know exactly when or how those white or apricot colored fluffy dogs—Poodles, Bijon Frisees or Cock-a-Poos—arrived in Mexico, but one thing is certain: these are the favorite breeds in San Miguel, judging from the visitors to the SPA headquarters. Recently, four of these cuddly puppies were staying at the animal shelter on a Friday night. By Monday morning they had all found new homes.

If you are unlucky when you stop by SPA in search of one, plenty of these adorable puppies are still around town waiting to be rescued. You might find one at the Tianguis market, for example, like artist Shirli Marcental did. She saw a vendor sitting on a step, selling eggs from a basket with a chicken on her lap. She requested permission to take a photograph and then caught sight of something else beside her. This tiny animal looked dirty, hungry, dehydrated and in need of care. She offered 200 pesos and took it home.

Rio, as the Cock-a-Poo crossed with Bijon Frisee puppy is now named, was then just five pounds and about two months old. He became the latest addition to the household which Marcental shares with her artist partner Gregory Ellis. They have two other dogs: Marquesa, a Bijon Frisee, was captured off the street in Pozos three years go, and Avelita, a Poodle, was found cowering under a car on Ancha de San Antonio. They have all been under the care of Dr. Eduardo Vasquez, their vet, and been given the needed shots and spaying where necessary. Marcental loves to groom these dogs herself. She puts on her bathing suit and gets in the bath with them.

The trio are delightful companions and very well behaved. Marcental grew up on a Texas ranch with animals and knows how to discipline them. She has taught these three not to bark or make a lot of noise. It disturbs the peace of their art studio.

On the other hand, if your Poodle has strains of a Terrier, it will very likely behave in Terrier fashion, acting as an excellent guard dog, barking loudly and keeping the house safe and secure. This is the case with a Poodle belonging to John and Mary Ann Bonetti, Tico.

The Bonettis found Tico under a taco tent near Zacateros. They fell in love with this six-week-old puppy on sight: “I just had to have him,” said Mary Ann. He is their joyful companion, sleeps on their bed and generally plays “major domo” in their household.

One point to mention about these very popular, cuddly dogs. Try not to let them out of your sight. Merle Howard’s apricot pedigree Tiny Toy Poodle, Bijou, was lost (Merle prefers the word kidnapped) when she left him at home to go shopping recently. At the time, five workmen and her maid were in the house. Four days later, after radio publicity and notices on lampposts, a phone call came, and Bijou was restored to her after the suggested ransom was paid.

It won’t hurt to stop in and look for one of these cuddly pups at the SPA headquarters. Other dogs and cats are waiting for a home at Los Pinos 7, off Calzada de la Estación. The SPA is open 11am–2pm daily. You can take home a dog with a 300 pesos donation, or a cat for 250 pesos.

Beverly Russell is author of several books on the arts and writes articles for numerous publications.