More from El Barranco

Panajachel — Susan B., humane educator for the Healthy Pets program submitted this article with her view of the El Barranco clinic. She also sent in another slew of beautiful pictures that are posted in our photo gallery. The pictures show how we are surrounded by color, love and laughter! Thanks for sharing!

Saturday August 25th was a beautiful clear day in Barranco, a small village in the mountains of Solola, Guatemala. A group of 15 volunteers, including 3 veterinarians, 8 veterinary students and Healthy Pets staff and volunteers arrived early in the morning to set up the clinic. When we arrived, the villagers and their pets were waiting. The team quickly set up an operating room, examination area and registration desk and the work began. Late in the afternoon, the last three dogs were on their way home. The surgical team had performed 36 sterilizations and 65 medical exams and vaccinations.

The success of the Barranco clinic was not about numbers. As a volunteer at the clinic, there were certain images that defined the day for me. I saw the pride and delight reflected in the faces of the owners as their pets received new collars and leashes to replace the frayed ropes and chains that they arrived with. I saw an enthusiastic community embracing the opportunity to do something positive for their pets. Although it was a long day and a long wait for the dogs and their owners, I saw the people patiently waiting surrounded by one, two, sometimes three of their animals, sharing stories and laughing together.

By the end of the day, with a handful of villagers remaining, Healthy Pets director Selaine started blowing up plastic surgical gloves and handing them out to the children–a perfect ending.

Several images of the day stand out for me–

A boy sitting next to his dog as he recovers from the surgery–the dog wrapped in an old jacket, the boy with his hand on the dog´s head.

Barbie–the little white dog with big mats in her fur, her feet black with mud balls.

Barbie–not a show dog, but definitely a new and freer Barbie after the grooming session.

And Bobby–a small ball of fur who arrived with his owner and an older dog. Bobby thoroughly enjoyed the day. He wandered around the yard during the day, sleeping when he got tired, exploring when he woke up, and being cuddled by workers.

At the end of the day, there was Bobby, sniffing in the dirt, two children resting and watching him.

It was a beautiful clear day in Barranco and a beautiful day for the dogs and their owners–and for all the volunteers, too.