The adoption dance
By Kathi Hamblet

I am not sure when it started, who thought of it, or how the choreography developed, but the adoption dance is now an important ritual every time an animal from the SPA finds a home. This dance might not win any awards for style, but it is done with pure joy. Arms above the head, a quick spin in both directions and a vigorous “Yes…Yes…Yes!” Some add a Salsa step or two just to show off.

As the final vet check is finished and the paperwork is signed, everyone in the area must participate or suffer scorn from those of us who know the proper way to celebrate a new life for a lucky dog or cat. If you happen to be told over the phone about a new adoption, you are expected to immediately do the dance with no thought as to where you might be or who is watching.

Now we know we can never stop celebrating every single adoption. That is when the hopelessness can set in. We just cannot stop dancing. There are always ten animals on the waiting list to fill the space of the one that just walked out the door, so we can only celebrate one success at a time and then quickly get back to the business of caring for the next resident.

Last week, the SPA staff and volunteers were dancing almost every day as four puppies were adopted, and three more were reserved from a litter still nursing. At one point we had 26 puppies under the age of four months on our waiting list.

Estrella and Elsa are both waiting for their new people to find them. They are both full of personality and both will need to have plenty of physical and mental stimulation in their new home.


Elsa does not look like a retriever, but must have something in her background because she wants to fetch anything not tied down. And if it fits in her mouth she wants to carry it.

Estrella is brand new to the shelter but has the whole routine down pat already. She has plenty of confidence and will figure out how to get what she wants in mere seconds. She was in a plastic bag with her sister and headed for a ghastly death by drowning when she was rescued, so she is definitely a survivor.

Both these girls are real clowns and super smart. It is a treat to hang out in the “puppy play yard” and just observe the interaction. The SPA has some great choices right now if you think a puppy might fit into your life. If an older dog is a better match for your lifestyle, we have some superstars too. Feel free to come and join the dance.

The SPA of San Miguel will sponsor a 10-day Amazon expedition March 26 to April 4, 2010—a remarkable journey into the greatest, most biologically diverse wilderness on Earth. Recognized by National Geographic Adventure magazine as one of the “25 Greatest Adventures in the World,” the Amazon Voyage fundraiser will earn as much as US$400 per person for the animal shelter if 12 or more guests book the journey.

The tour must be booked by December 15, 2009. For further information call 415-111-8765 or email judynewell@perfectjourneys.net.