More from Einny

Woof, woof from Panajachel! This is Einstein, retired street dog reporting . . .

Great news for Santiago Atitlan! Healthy Pets is holding it’s first free and low-cost spay/neuter clinic there on 28 March – this Friday. This is a huge step for Healthy Pets, whose initial focus has been the North end of the Lake. Many people have asked for help to organize a clinic there because the dog population is out of control and many, many of my friends are suffering.

The director of the program, Selaine d’Ambrosi, told this reporter, “Santiago along with neighboring Panabaj is a unique area on the Lake. As part of the peace settlement to end the 36-year-long civil war in Guatemala, this area was designated for the Tzutuil, one of several indigenous groups living in the Lake Atitlan basin area. In another word, it’s a rez.

The area was hard-hit by Hurricane Stan in 2005, and to this day, Panabaj struggles to regain some normalcy. Many parents died in the mud slides, leaving the oldest child in the family in charge of the younger siblings. The death toll for the animals was extremely high, as well, and those left, while maybe having a family, are at the bottom of the priority list for survival needs. We hope to eventually be in a financial position to provide free and low-cost clinics and our food supplement program there on a regular basis. The need is staggering”.

Stop the presses! Did this dog hear right? Reliable sources have it that 3 lucky dogs found new homes and, wow, did they make out well!

Azucar, the timid, abused Westie we picked up off the street scored big with her new digs – she’s living in Maryland with her new best buddies Chelsea, her Mom and Chico, the Chihuahua. I hear the bed is quite soft at Chelsea’s!

Next to make a break out of the clinic was Lily. She is one of the two sister pups picked up during our January clinic after being abandoned at the big bridge leading out of town. She’s living with Dina, a smart and perky young woman who works with our mutual friend, Kelly.

The really big news on the home-finding front is all about Neo! My good ole buddy from Dr. Miguel’s finally found someone who will love and care for him, even though his hormonal and skin problems persist. He is living with an indigenous family across the street from Dr. Miguel’s home. This is ideal for him, since he needs on-going therapy. Neo, my dog-man, we’ll miss seeing you every day out back but we’re all VERY happy for you.

WOOF, WOOF AND A GIANT WAG OF THE TAIL TO YOU WONDERFUL ADOPTORS AND BEST WISHES TO MY DOGGIE FRIENDS.

Next up, Humane Education. One class of five-year-olds and one of 6-year-olds took place this month at Capulin Elementary school. Students learned about the basic needs of their dog and cat friends, enjoyed coloring, animal crackers, singing and WAGGING THEIR TAILS! Great job Marilena! I for one can’t wait for the next sessions!

On to business news. The 2008 fiscal budget for Healthy Pets has been submitted and approved. The bottom line – we need $45,000 to provide the proposed services outlined below:

Spay/Neuters 500
Rabies/Combos 500
Adoptions 100
Animals in Food Program 100
Emergency Services 5-10 patients/mo
Humane Ed Monthly classes in 5 area schools
Trained Foster Homes 15

There is a wonderful synergy happening here. Dr. Andrea Portillo, an instructor at the University San Marcos School of Veterinary Medicine, has been participating in the sterilization clinics for the last several months along with other licensed, practicing Guatemalan vets. In addition, she encourages last-year vet students to participate in the clinics to gain more practical skills. It gives them the opportunity to work with indigenous and low-income citizens, as well as perform the pre-op exams, practice incision-making and suturing and handle the recovery area. They “pay” for this opportunity with dried pet foods that go directly into our Food Supplement Program and feed many needy animals every week.

Please remember, Healthy Pets does not and will not have a shelter. All animals requiring long-term care and abandoned animals are boarded at Dr. Miguel’s clinic. The need for well-trained foster homes is critical to the success of this non-shelter approach to animal welfare. If you live locally, please consider opening your heart and home to a needy animal.

On a sad note, several local dogs where found poisoned over the week leading up to Semana Santa. The Muni and Centro de Salud continue to tell this reporter that they are NOT responsible for these horrible acts. My friends at Mayan Families tell me that there is just a lot more work to be done on the education and sterilization front. They keep telling me not to get discouraged that we all have to just put one paw in front of the other every day.

Do you want to help? Do you believe that sterilization is the humane answer to overpopulation? Do you believe that humane education in our schools will help the next generation grow into more compassionate adults that will provide good care for their pets? If so,

We Need Your Help!

Join others in making a contribution towards
Mayan Families Healthy Pets.
Donation accepted at: www.mayanfamilies.org

Until next time, keep wagging your tail!