1. Last weekend I went to an area called the Guatalupana. The government on the island has been absconding with property that belongs to the islanders. So a large group of Islenos squatted on a big piece of property mid island on the Carrabean side. It has been a few years now and they still don't have water, electricity or sewage. Most of the homes are shacks and many of the homeowners have dug wells or bought large water tanks that sit in their front yards. Of course there are dogs everywhere and when we have spay and neuter clinics we go there to pick up animals. And when we get donations we go there with de-wormer, collars, vitamins, food and medicine if needed. I would love sometime to be able to vaccinate all the animals but we will need a bigger budget for that as most of our funds go to the sterilization clinics. The children are wonderful and after many, many visits the people are used to seeing me hang around making a big fuss over their dogs.

2. There has been a wonderful group of people that have supported Isla Animals for years. Cheryl House has created this group and stayed with it to help us save pups and spay and neuter every cat and dog we can get our hands on. This year has been one of the best as far as donations and we are so grateful and pleased with the work it has allowed us to do. Below is the list of donors and the beautiful dog that has sadly passed but instigated such generosity. His name was Dr. Zhivago. Thank you all for your support. 2011 ROSIE'S BOW WOW CLUB The club for 2011 raised a total of $2,950. In memory of Dr. Zhivago Extra Large Bones $300 & Over Cheryl House. In Memory of Rosie Jan & Terry Gerken (Moby) Large Bones. $100 to $299 Lael House Wojcik, Honoring - Rookie Julie House Presa, Honoring - Trucco James & Kristin Yasord. In Memory of Vago John & Jean Epler Chris & Kim Cannon Roxane Osantowski, Honoring - Tequila - adopted from Plaza Almendros(AKA, Oreo, Patches) Kelly Ragsdale Valerie Kordyban David & Karen Childers Ron & Diane Seals Medium Bones $50 to $99 Karl & Deanne House Drew & Alison House Tom & Barb Carlson Small Bones $25 to $49 Mike & Tina Lawrence Julie Howard Dan Lindner Don & Jan Hardin Honoring Goldie, Plaza Almendros Cat

3. Jeff and I just got back to Mexico a few days ago. We're having a spay and neuter clinic next week and then the normal dog stuff from there. I would like to do a sweep of the island, door to door, working on vaccinations and spaying and neutering. I mean really - we've been back two days and we already have a very weak momma with eight pups. Then I got a call about another dog with eight pups and Jeff and I are about to go pick up four. This has to stop. I called my new momma - Momma Rina after the hurricane that wasn't. Here is our new mom warming up her pups after their bath this morning, such a good mom. This must be black dog week, out of the thirteen puppies there is only one white one. We are so looking forward to moving ahead this year. With all the rescue groups and people that we are working with now, we can get more done and we're hoping that we can get some help with this. Already we have some wonderful monthly donators, and it makes a huge difference. So many people ask me what they can do to help, well it's really easy. If we can get enough people donating $10.00 a month we will have a budget to work with. Ten people giving up two starbuck coffees every month can buy enough dog food for a week, or three spays or four neuters, or twelve vaccines, or five distemper tests, or four parvo tests, or two and a half medium crates, or ten bottles of specialty shampoos, or two bottles of de-wormer, or five dog rides to the airport, or five health certificates, and on and on. Every penny goes to the dogs, there is no administration, we pay Marcelino's salary (he works at the house and helps with the dogs). IT'S ALL FOR THE DOGS. We've been home three nights and already have two momma's with their pups. There is no where else for these dogs to go. We will find homes for the pups and spay the moms. Each spayed female is one step closer to a better life for dogs in Mexico. If you already donate, ask a friend to do it too, and ask their friends to do it as well. Ten dollars a month and we can make a huge difference together. I forgot to mention in this blog yesterday that the Isla Animals Website is set up to do monthly donations. If you scroll down to the very bottom of the front page there is a donate button, click on that and then there are instructions on how to continue. Thank you everybody, in advance, who donates. It makes all the difference. We are setting up for a big spay and neuter clinic today and getting ready for all the street puppies that we find.

4. We are doing another big spay and neuter clinic in Corales near Rancho Viejo which is next to Cancun. This is our second clinic in this location. Last time we ended up with over fifty puppies. We can put the dogs back on the street but never the puppies. We often re-home the dogs if we can as well. Anyway it has been the worst year for distemper that I've ever seen. Unfortunately we lost about 20% of those pups to distemper. It only takes one distemper pup to infect an entire group of un-vaccinated puppies. So this April we're going to test every puppy that comes in. The tests are two hundred pesos a piece, about eighteen dollars, we want to have seventy five available for that last week of April. I'm asking if any of you can help by buying one or two tests it would make a huge difference. You can donate on our pay pal and make a note that it's for distemper tests and that's exactly what it will be used for. This is an extra cost that we didn't figure into our budget when we were making the original plans. On a more fun note, Isla Animals has had a small explosion of puppies. First we got a litter of nine. Pepe spotted the mom and her pups next to the bull ring in Cancun and has been waiting for them to be old enough to bring here. Then we got a moma and her seven pups. Everyone is healthy, has already been tested for distemper and is adjusting well. By the way Rusty is doing much better.

5. The race was great. There's lots of room for improvement but for a first effort we are all very happy. To all of the incredible volunteers, Jeff and I are so, so grateful. And to those who helped set things up ahead of time with the city and the schools and the race route, we couldn't possibly have done it without you. We haven't finished with the tally because Jeff is still working at the music festival but as soon as we have numbers I will post them. We had over sixty runners thanks to all of you wonderful people who signed up to sponsor school kids. And for you generous supporters who sponsored teams of five, it added so much excitement. Unfortunately we couldn't fill all the teams but next year people will have a better idea of what's going on. The whole event was fun and involved the entire community. From the island government to the police department to the Navy that allowed us to run on the runway. We had help from the Red Cross, they sent their ambulance to be on standby. We had runners of all ages from many different countries. For the first year we couldn't have asked for more.

6. What could be better than getting a puppy or dog off the street. How can you beat putting meat on a starving animals bones or help out a dog before it's abused and learns to mistrust humans. It's the best feeling in the world. Help me prevent another box of unwanted pups being left on a vacant lot. I can do all that and more if I have the funds. Help us turn this Into this It's a great gift idea for the person who has everything. You can buy them a monthly donation to Isla Animals. I will make sure that every penny that you donate is put to work. It's the most wonderful thing to know that we can count on a certain amount of money coming in each month. It allows me to plan ahead in this work that is other wise, to say the least, financially chaotic. And if you are looking for something different you can donate a certain amount of spays and neuters in someone's name. The surgery averages out to $20.00 an animal and it's the bottom line solution to overpopulation and suffering of animals in Mexico. Donate and then let me know by email bayfirestd@aol.com so I can make sure that a Christmas card is sent to your friend or family member. They will love it.

7. Thank You to the Bow Wow Club For Your generous Donation!

8. Yahoo, we are now a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization

 

 

Donate $100 to Isla Animals today and get Alison's Book "No Urn for Ashes" FREE!

 

THE MATH IS ALL WRONG

Jeff and I head north for the summer months and have friends stay at our house. We try to get the number of dogs way down before we go but the math is all wrong. Yesterday I was so excited, we sent out four pups but we took in ten. Oh No. The puppies below are on their way to wonderful new homes.

Then a man showed up with three puppies that were born at Playa Indio, the were covered with fleas and in sad shape.
Then a rescue in Cancun arrived with two little cuties that had no where else to go.

Then Dr. Pepe Vega showed up with a litter of five that he rescued. This doesn’t seem to be going in the right directions. Oh Well. Something always works out.

GETTING MINI TO HER NEW HOME

Mini is such a special pup. We were doing a one day spay and neuter clinic in the Guatalupana which is a very poor section of Isla Mujeres. I spotted a group of children running around with two pups that looked in awful shape so I asked them about it. They told me that their dog had eight pups but only two had survived. Mini was the smallest. They let me take them home for some TLC. I didn’t think Mini would make it through that first night. But she did. She’s had a rough beginning but is doing much better. The other pup went back to the family that owned the mother but Mini is staying here.

A wonderful family visiting the island came to the house to walk dogs everyday. They fell in love with Mini. Unfortunately when it was time for them to go Mini was not well enough to travel. She is now. So we are looking for anyone traveling to Chicago or Cincinnati, or Cleveland, or anywhere in that area that would like to take Mini with them. She’s tiny and will fit in a soft pack that goes under the seat in front. We would do everything, pay everything and take whoever can do it to the airport. Time is the problem right now, as it gets warmer fewer airlines will fly animals. So let us know if you can help. Contact me at bayfirestd@aol.com. Lets cross our finger.

WHAT A GREAT THREE DAYS

We just finished our three day mobile clinic on Isla Mujeres. It was great. We set up in central locations in three different neighborhoods. The owners could bring their animals, they could watch, help out, stay with their cats or dogs the entire time. That way it’s an education as well as a sterilization.

We had incredible volunteers, they showed up early and stayed late. The second day we were lucky enough to be in Laura and Alan’s garden for recovery.

The third day we were in the Kiosk in La Gloria, there was a breeze, lots of animals and everything went so well. Thirty nine cats and dogs, lots of producing moms and we can’t wait to do it again.

The last picture is of one of the puppies we picked up at the dump.

NEED A LITTLE HELP AND A PUPPY EXPLOSION

We are doing another big spay and neuter clinic in Corales near Rancho Viejo which is next to Cancun. This is our second clinic in this location. Last time we ended up with over fifty puppies. We can put the dogs back on the street but never the puppies. We often re-home the dogs if we can as well. Anyway it has been the worst year for distemper that I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately we lost about 20% of those pups to distemper. It only takes one distemper pup to infect an entire group of un-vaccinated puppies. So this April we’re going to test every puppy that comes in. The tests are two hundred pesos a piece, about eighteen dollars, we want to have seventy five available for that last week of April. I’m asking if any of you can help by buying one or two tests it would make a huge difference. You can donate on our pay pal and make a note that it’s for distemper tests and that’s exactly what it will be used for. This is an extra cost that we didn’t figure into our budget when we were making the original plans.

MEET RUSTY

We are having a huge spay and neuter clinic on the main land at the same location that we used in October. Wonderful place to work. A big school with lots of room. A few days ago I went over to check it out and then took a tour of the surrounding areas. Wow, these areas are like nothing you’ve ever seen. Not only does Cancun dump their garbage there but they dump dogs and pups that they want to get rid of.

Above, with the little black pup, is Jesika, who tries to help by taking food to the dogs and picks up puppies that have been abandoned. Unfortunately the people who live there won’t always let her take the pups. But Rusty was sick so they allowed me go in and check him out and then, thankfully they let me take him.

Rusty is here with us now. He’s getting the royal treatment. He needs to get used to the other dogs, I think he had to fend for himself out there and he only weighs about 5 pounds. He’s eating well, getting perkier and braver with each hour. How about that heart on his forehead. ADORABLE.

LOTS GOING ON

Big news, Just-in went to Edmonton yesterday where he can get proper care for his eyes and have tests for his hearing. Note our wonderful vet in the front seat.
We are all getting ready for two clinics. First there is one on Isla Mujeres, April 13, 14, and 15. We are taking the clinic into the neighborhoods. It’s less stressful for the animals and more informative for the owners. We’ll do less animals but reach more people. Then we are heading to Corales in Cancun on April 24, for a clinic April 25-29. For Candi International and Isla Animals this is the second clinic in this location. Below, Laura and Alan are helping me stuff packs for surgery and we are so lucky to get more supplies donated.

THE NEW BABES

Our new babes are doing so well. They were literally starving when they came in and a little shy. Well they now have fat bellies and love to play with us.
They have a warm spot in the sun behind a plant where they hang out the most.

Unfortunately one of the babes who we named Sugar is having trouble keeping her food down so we sent her to Claudia in Playa del Carmen. I know she’ll figure it out.

GOOD NEWS FOR RED AND OUR NEW CALENDAR

We got a new dog last week. He was at a house where they tied him up all day and the caretaker didn’t like him. We were glad to have him, he’s handsome, smart and very well behaved. Well, we were taking him, RED, for a walk a few days ago and all of a sudden he started to howl. Coming towards us was a smiling woman who only had eyes for Red. She explained that Red had been a street dog who lived in front of her house and that she really adored him but she already had two dogs and couldn’t keep him. She said that he’d disappeared. Were they ever glad to see each other.Our smiling friend was sure she could find a new home for Red. The next morning I got a call to bring him down island to his new home. What a treat.

My friend Moby makes a calendar every year and part of the proceeds are donated to Isla Animals. This year she did something different and added a before and after picture of our beautiful dogs to each month.

The Calendars start with the month of May and the pictures are superb. If you are interested in purchasing one, they are $15.00 plus shipping and you can contact Moby at mobygerken@hotmail.com.

Moby would like to get orders before April 15th so she can order another printing.

UPDATE ON JUST-IN AND OUR NEW DOG

Just-in is doing better every day. We are treating him for Ehrlichia and it’s making a big difference. He likes to keep to himself and doesn’t respond to people with enthusiasm. I don’t think his owner paid much attention to him. I see this all the time. We’re working on him though, we make a big fuss over him all the time.

We took in a wonderful, handsome, smart, guy the other day. He was picked up off the street and given to a family as a guard dog. The caretakers didn’t like him plus he barked because they never let him off of his chain. After being here for an hour we could already see that he’s just one of those special dogs. He needs to gain weight and learn to trust people but he’s well on his way. Loves walks.
Our poor Perrafaira (above right) was attacked by a big dog last night. She had multiple puncture wounds and wasn’t using her back leg. We cleaned her up and I’m sure she’ll be okay but she’s an older dog and I think it really upset her. She gets extra hugs today.

MORE THAN FISH IN THE SEA

Two days ago some men that live on a boat in one of the Isla Mujeres Harbours literally fished this little old dog out of the ocean. They kept him over night and then brought him to me. He was in such bad shape, I can’t even imagine where he came from or how long he’d been swimming. His eyes and ears are infected, his nails were so long that his toes were twisting sideways and he has a bad case of ehrlichia. These are only the things that we can see.

Justin was the name of one of the men so we called him Just-in. Ha Ha. We bathed him right away, he was crawling with fleas and then he slept for 24 hours. We would wake him up for some liver every once in a while. Last night he started to move, what a treat that was. He even resisted when I cleaned his ears. Yahoo – go – Just-in. He looks fat but it is the water in his abdomen from the Ehrlichia and we think he’s blind plus we’re not sure how well he hears, I’ll keep you posted.