Pay it forward
By Christine Foster

It’s not a new idea that if everyone does just a little bit, we can make the world a whole lot better. The great news is it’s happening right now in San Miguel, particularly in the world of animal welfare.

Just consider La Lejona resident, Lucy, who has made it her mission to help dogs who are sick or hurt and runs a mini clinic for them out of her small house. She also spends every extra peso she has on dog food to feed those still out on the street.

Katherine and Mauricio are two more concerned locals who take in street dogs and feed abandoned puppies. Mauricio is also putting his personal time and energy into a documentary on the plight of homeless animals in Mexico.

Enterprising San Miguel teenagers, Annie and Laurie, joined the most recent training class at the SPA and are using the money they receive to sterilize and vaccinate rescue animals. They have also just started a website called Heartstrings, with the hope of encouraging cooperation between animal lovers both in Mexico and around the world, and are planning to work with teachers and their classrooms to promote animal welfare in a variety of countries.

Their most urgent needs at the moment are someone to help them further develop the website, set up links for contacts and communication between animal support groups, and set up interactive payment capacity. They will dedicate funds raised toward sheltering, (including contributing to the expansion of the SPA) fostering, neutering and transport of new pets to the US. If you think you can help or have ideas to share, or just want to check out this great endeavor, please go to www.heartstringssanmiguel.com. You’ll note there is not yet a “donate” button, so if you know how to get one up and running, please get in touch!

Judy Newell of Perfect Journeys has found yet another way to help and is offering a trip-of-a-lifetime into the bargain. Fancy a ten-day Amazon basin expedition? From Mar 26-April 4, 2010, you can enjoy an up close and personal look at one of Earth’s richest, most remote, most biologically diverse wildernesses. Recognized by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of the 25 Greatest Adventures in the World, this Amazon voyage is also a fundraiser for the SPA and will earn the shelter as much as US$400 per person if 12 or more guests book the journey.

Travelers visit Lima, then fly to Iquitos—the world’s furthest inland seaport—to board the 38 passenger La Amatista riverboat, then cruise up 450 miles of Amazon tributaries into the southern end of Pacaya-Samiria, the largest wetland reserve in the world. An optional five-day extension to Cusco and Machu Picchu is available.

Rates are from $3,298 per person for the ten-day tour, plus $325 airfare to Iquitos and international airfare to Lima. The five-day extension to Machu Picchu is from $2298 per person, plus $325 airfare to Cusco. The tour must be booked by December 15, 2009. For further information, call (415) 111-8765 or email judynewell@perfectjourneys.net. 

With so many enterprising local folks finding ways to improve the lives of animals in need, you can almost feel the good will growing. One gesture leads to the next, allowing us all the chance to “pay it forward.” Maybe it’s contagious. If you want to catch the helping bug this fall, be sure to visit www.spasanmiguel.org  or Heartstrings for more ideas.