Panajachel — Monday began at it’s normal pace with Ezzie making follow up calls to people who “put their name” on a dog at our quick little adoption event held on Saturday. We were all very excited about possibly having homes for 10 out of 12 puppies who are now in foster care.

Then a frantic phone call came into the office from Maribel D. on her way down from San Andres with a nursing mother and two of her pups. For those readers who don’t understand Spanish, the video below is Maribel’s description of the events that led to the immediate need to evacuate the mom and pups.

Evidently, mom had a family but was booted out because she continued to have too many puppies. She delivered her newest litter a few weeks ago. Some children in town decided to take her puppies away and she went wild. The kids were molesting her and when she defended her babies, the town’s people rose up against her. They beat her with poles, sticks, a hammer and threw rocks at her. There was such an uproar, it was decided that she would be publicly put to death by poison. All this because she tried to protect her babies who are only about 3 weeks old!

Maribel witnessed this, broke it up, grabbed mom and the two pups that where left, hired a flete (small pickup truck), called Healthy Pets and headed to Panajachel. At that moment, she believed the other 5 puppies to be dead.

Lady Luck, that seems like an appropriate name, and the babes had a restful night at Selaine’s. Then luck struck again! Maribel called to say that she and her husband had located all 5 of the puppies. Thankfully, mom and puppies are now reunited. As these pictures where snapped, Mom was “kissing” Selaine on the cheek! It makes it all worthwhile!

Locals — we need a foster home ASAP for mom and the puppies for a minimum of 4 weeks. Please consider offering this family a temporary space at your home and in your heart.

Panajachel — In recognition of World Rabies Day, the Healthy Pets Program is holding a free rabies vaccination clinic in partnership with Centro de Salud on Sunday, 28 September from 1 – 5 p.m. at the Centro de Salud office on Calle Principal, Panajachel.

Low-cost Merial-7 combo vaccinations for dogs and cats as well as Merial parvo vaccines for puppies 3 weeks and up will also be available that day at the amazing price of Q60 per combo and Q45 per pup. This is a dramatic reduction in the cost of these vaccinations and is being offered due to the high number of distemper and parvo cases we’ve seen and treated this year. Free combos will be offered to those who qualify. The number of free vaccines available that day will be determined by the amount of donations raised to cover our costs.

Centro de Salud has ordered 300 rabies vaccinations and we would like to match it with 300 combos. We estimate that only 10% of the 300 combos will go to animals whose owners can afford to pay Q60, therefore, the fund raising goal for this important health event is Q16,200 or $2200.

The more donations we receive ahead of time, the more combo vaccinations we will have available for free to those who really can not afford the cost.

Please be assured, we do our social case work!

Those who receive services for free are always asked to donate something towards the program — cash (Q5 or what they can afford) or time or a bartered commodity.

San Jorge Vaccination Clinic 2007

]]> http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/world-rabies-day-28-september-2008/feed/ 0 Ayuda San Jorge Vaccination Clinic 2007 http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/08/28/a-story-of-love-and-serendipity/ http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/08/28/a-story-of-love-and-serendipity/#comments Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:00:33 +0000 Ayuda http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/?p=265 Continue reading →]]>

Come and listen to a story ’bout a dog named Ginger . . .
When Doreen H. came to Guatemala on a medical mission, she had no idea she’d meet a Pana street dog and fall head over heals in love! Sound crazy? Well, here’s the rest of the story.

Doreen stayed a couple of nights in Panajachel at the end of her time in the “bush” with a human medical team. They had traveled into some remote areas of Guatemala and definitely deserved some R&R.

While out and about, Doreen met Ginger, a sweetheart of a gal dog. They spent as much time together as possible before Doreen had to pack and head back to Texas. It was an eternal bonding experience for both!

The week after returning home, Doreen couldn’t stand being without Ginger anymore. After a family discussion, it was decided that she would return to Panajachel with an airline approved kennel in the hopes of finding Ginger and transporting her back to Texas and her new home. She booked her airline ticket and emailed Selaine, Healthy Pets program director for help.

The day Doreen arrived back in Pana just one week later, she checked into one of Patti M’s apartments at around 4:30 p.m. She and Selaine met and devised a plan to locate and nab Ginger. Now, here’s the serendipitous part:

At 7 p.m., Doreen descended down the stairs at Patti’s, looked out the glass door at the bottom of the stairwell and who was waiting for her??? Right — Ginger!! There was no need to look, she found Doreen — again! These two were absolutely meant to be together.

The paperwork was completed in a few days and they were off to Texas. We’ve since heard that Ginger loves her new home and family and vice-versa. They sure look happy to us!

Our best wishes to Doreen and Ginger.

May you love and live together for many years!

Yes, that's a kitty in a costele!

Panajachel — The village of El Barranco turned out en masse for their first sterilization & vaccination clinic held on Saturday, 23 August. The women had everything under control when we arrived at 9 a.m. and approximately 25 animals were ready and waiting for intake.

By the end of the day, the team had sterilized 36 patients, many of whom were male dogs–YEAH!! They’re always the toughest customers for us to reach, but the women were having none of that “macho” nonsense and lined up their friends for operations.

Several dogs were too young or too thin for surgery. They were vaccinated, wormed, given enough food and vitamins for 1 – 2 weeks and scheduled for follow up. As soon as they’re ready, they will be sterilized, too.

A total of 35 free rabies vaccinations were also administered. The vaccines were provided to Healthy Pets free from the Solola Centro de Salud office.

All surgery patients received a container of anti-bacterial cream, rabies vaccination (if needed), 2 weeks of vitamins, post-op instructions and a bag of dry pet food. Dr. Heber Armira, a vet who works with Purina attended the clinic and brought bags of adult food. He talked with many of the people there about the importance of sterilization, vaccination, treatments for parasites and, of course, the need for good nutrition and fresh water. He has promised to attend as many of our clinics as possible.

Thank you Dr. Armira and Purina!

Thank you to the family who donated their home for the clinic!

Waiting for Intake

Volunteer Humane Educator, Susan, took on the daunting task of mat removal

THIS POOR DOG HAD TO BE TURNED AWAY BECAUSE HEALTHY PETS CAN’T AFFORD THE SURGERY AND RECOVERY COSTS!

HIS HUMAN COMPANION WAS HEARTBROKEN. WE PROMISED TO DO OUR BEST TO FIND THE MONEY FOR THIS AND OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICE CASES.

PLEASE HELP BY DONATING TOWARDS HEALTHY PETS EMERGENCY SERVICES.

Panajachel — On the 18th of August, Healthy Pets introduced their Humane Education program to Pana Kids, an international school in Panajachel for children ages 2-5. Pana Kids is the third school to enroll in this program.

An enthusiastic group of nearly 20 children participated in the lesson, “We are all animals.” Through songs, puppets and drawings, they discovered that all the animals in their lives have the same needs as the they do.

The goal of Healthy Pets is to enroll five schools in the program by the end of 2008. We’re happy to have Pana Kids enlisted.

Great work, Susan and the Humane Ed team!

Panajachel — Today Healthy Pets released it’s first ad in a new campaign. Please, help us welcome Estefan Colbert! Hey nation, give him a big round of applause — we all know how vain this puppy can be!

The English version will appear in the September issue of the Revue Magazine, Antigua Guatemala. The Spanish version is on it way to media outlets with mixed audiences (ladino, indigenous and ex-pats) around Lake Atitlan and Guatemala. T-Shirts, bumper stickers and other marketing pieces are underway for different upcoming events.

Watch for more advice from our new spokespuppy, Estefan Colbert! He promises not to be too political but always to the point!

We love you, Estefan!!

AWARE, the animal shelter in Sumpango has relationships with several no-kill shelters on the west coast who are willing to take any puppies we send them. They know our pups are healthy, vaccinated, sterilized and socialized therefore, highly adoptable. We know they have an exceptional rate of placement into good, loving homes. AWARE helps the Healthy Pets Program by accepting orphaned puppies when they have space available. We need to help them!

Please, if you live in the Los Angeles area and are planning a trip to Guatemala, consider flying a puppy back for us. Check with your airline to be sure they transport animals — United will allow one person to fly with five (5) pups in the cabin!

Anyone from the LA area interested or those who live in other parts of the U.S. who would like to help out, contact us for information. This is an on-going need. Thank you all for caring.

Many a visitor to Lake Atitlan has witnessed the poverty that exists in the majority of indigenous homes. They have also seen the pathetic, starving, infirm animals roaming the street in search of food and shelter. Often they leave bewildered and wondering how to help the animals when the people are in such need.

The development of Healthy Pets as a program of Mayan Families was designed to addresses just that dilemma. It is a natural extension of the Family Aid and Medical programs operated by Mayan Families through the inclusion of pets as family members. When assessing the overall health and welfare of an individual or family, one must look at the conditions in which they live and the condition of their pets. Infirm animals can affect the health of their human companions.

Overpopulation of domestic animals creates another health risk for the general public. Human rabies cases are on the rise in neighboring Solola and are reported daily in the city of Xela. In the past, mass inhumane poisonings were used as the method of choice for population control. While at the federal level, this practice is now banned, local municipalities and business owners continue to poison on their own. They see it as the only solution; however short term. To be fair, it must be reported that there are many gringos in the area who believe that poisoning is the only answer, too. For them, the trap/neuter/release method for dealing with street animals just takes too long. A bi-annual holocaust of animals does not solve the problem. In 6 months you have the same amount to kill again. We believe this is morally bankrupt.

The integrated projects operated by the Healthy Pets program relieve domestic animal suffering through subsidized veterinary services, a food supplement plan and humane education. Sterilization and vaccinations are at the core of the program while humane education, emergency vet services, adoptions, foster care and transportation arrangements to the U.S. support the effort.

Quarterly Achievements Plus July Progress

2^nd Quarter Activities

Sterilizations – During the months of August and September, Healthy Pets is sponsoring a “clinic every day” for Panajachel. Rather than our usual one-day clinic at the end of the month, we will interview and refer people all month long.

One-Day clinics are scheduled for: 20 August – San Jorge

20 September – Solola

We expect to significantly increase our monthly numbers with this campaign.

Vaccinations – In observance of World Rabies Day, Healthy Pets is co-sponsoring a vaccination clinic with Centro de Salud on 27 September at the CdS office. Our partner will provide 300 free rabies vaccines and Healthy Pets will provide up to 300 low-cost combo vaccines for dogs and cats.

Emergency Services – to continue this service, we need your donations. This project is currently under review for elimination from the HP program for lack of funds. Please help! It is hard for any animal lover to walk past a bleeding or suffering animal. While we realize we can’t save them all, we would like to continue this service for as many as possible.

Humane Ed – The new team is focused on adding 4 additional schools by September. We recently received an official letter from the Minister of Education to be used as an introduction with school directors. It states that he has reviewed the materials and has approved our program for any school within the Department of Solola.

The University San Carlos, School of Vet Medicine continues to assist each month with our clinics. The Dean has assured us that this will continue as it provides much needed hands on experience for the University’s students. This relationship is to expand with the new school year (it begins in Jan) with students participating in more Healthy Pets activities.

Food Supplement – There is no shortage of animals that need proper nutrition. We are looking for ways to reduce the price to people even more than what we offer now because the cost of living is rising dramatically. Now that Mayan Families is a registered Guatemalan Foundation, the Healthy Pets program can accept donations of food from Purina as well as other Guatemalan based animal product companies. Purina has already committed to donate food on a monthly basis.

The University students provide anywhere from 50 – 100 lbs. of pet food each month in exchange for their learning experience. We are also fortunate to have two other local supporters who provide 25 – 50 lbs. of pet food each month. Additional food is purchased at wholesale prices through our relationship with Dr. Miguel.

Sterilization, vaccinations, emergency services and routine vet care are a huge part of what we provide; however, if the animals aren’t fed properly, it becomes a rather mute point. You can’t have a healthy pet without good nutrition!

Adoption and Foster Care – Our next quarter focus for this area is more advertising. We recently met with Prensa Libre, a daily newspaper. They have agreed to run an ad for us every day for 5-7 days one week prior to our clinics as well as periodic ads for adoptions.

The Review Magazine, based in Antigua donates monthly space for Healthy Pets.

We work with local television and radio stations for advertising and special programs featuring the Healthy Pets program. We are scheduled to broadcast a live radio call-in show during August to promote the clinics for San Jorge, Solola and World Rabies Day as well as adoptions.

Look for an exciting new advertising campaign scheduled to launch in August!

And, Please Remember . . .

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

This old dog has had a rough month! I tell ya, gettin’ old is a DRAG! I’m better now, over my laryngitis and achy bones, so, it’s time to catch you up on news from all my friends who’ve recently found new love and homes! I’m sure you’ll recognize a few furry faces.

A HUGE WAG OF THE TAIL TO ALL THOSE HUMANS WHO FOUND LOVE AND FAREWELL NOSE KISSES TO MY DOGGIE FRIENDS! I’LL MISS YOUR BUTTS!

Now on to who’s new and who’s still with us!

STILL LOOKING FOR LOVE

All these good looking girls are sterilized, vaccinated, healthy and ready to go home!

Ten days ago, I sniffed out a story after overhearing a phone call to Selaine from Ezzie. Evidently, one of the ladies of the street had a litter of 8 pups around a month old and someone had moved (or dumped) them near the police station down by the docks.

After further investigation, it was determined that the mom and pups were indeed homeless. A terrific guy, named Manuel who operates a lancha (boat taxi) gave the two women the scoop. The mother has been hanging around the docks for about two years. She’s had 4 litters of pups and is no more than 2 years old. Manual was very happy that she was finally going to get some help because the third litter was still born. He has promised that once Mom is through nursing, sterilized, vaccinated, etc. that he will be glad to keep an eye on her.

Thank our lucky stars, Norm and Linda were willing to take on this special foster care situation! Thank you two SO much! A HUGE AND VIGOROUS WAG OF THE TAIL WITH SLOPPY KISSES, TOO!

No one’s been able to get a good shot of Mom yet, but here are the babes:

Yeah, they’re a fine lookin’ bunch! Four boys and four girls all of whom will be ready for loving new homes in about 5 weeks.

As you can see, our “cup runneth over” at the moment!

Please support the Emergency Services Project of Healthy Pets to ensure that sweeties like these have a fightin’ chance!

Until next, keep you tail waggin’ and a smile on your face! If you’re of the “bully dog” category, drool and luggies are good, too! This is Einstein signing off!

Panajachel — The Humane Education project got a big boost during the month of July. Long-time resident and supporter, Helen Rosales retired from Centro de Salud which has freed up more of her time to work with Marilena ( our humane ed coordinator).  She also convinced her sister, Thelma, a retired school teacher who taught for 30 years at Centro Elemental to join the team! Well done, indeed!

Then, a week ago, out of the blue, Healthy Pets received an email inquiry from Sue, a bi-lingual visitor from the States with experience teaching, acting and working with all ages of kids and adults. After a very pleasant meeting, she jumped aboard. Lucky for us, she’s staying in Pana until December. Hmmmm, maybe we can convince her to stay on longer.

We are all tremendously grateful to these ladies for offering their time to expand the Humane Ed Project into additional schools as well as organize and truly launch the Brigades Project for adolescents.

Welcome and thank you for taking on this critical role for Healthy Pets!

Magaly M., a resident of Panajachel stopped by the sterilization clinic 26 July to personally thank the doctors, students and HP volunteers with a beautiful and delicious homemade apple pie!

Two months ago, we sterilized 3 of her pets. She told us all how happy she is that Healthy Pets is working with the community and that she has taken on the role of neighborhood liaison encouraging friends and neighbors to sterilize and vaccinate their pets.

As Ezzie spoke with her about our Brigades Project, Magaly listened intently and immediately offered to help. Adult brigades will assist with distribution of promotional materials such as our Why to Sterilize Your Pet brochure (in Spanish), assist with Food Project feeding stations for homeless animals and help out with events and clinics.

Welcome aboard, Magaly! And, thanks again for the GREAT pie!

Panajachel, 27 July 2008 – This month’s clinic was a bit on the slow side but our team of vets, veterinary students and Healthy Pets volunteers were assembled and ready to roll at 9 a.m.

While Ezzie (Healthy Pets Administrative Assistant) and Elisabeta (Dr. Miguel’s receptionist) interviewed and registered those who arrived at 9, Selaine (HP Director), Sebastian, Jonathan and Sue (HP volunteers) took off for Calle Santander to rustle up a couple of street dogs. The male and female we nabbed were dogs identified for us by two community brigade volunteers who also operate feeding stations along Calle Santander.

Rising to the opportunity once again, Dr. Miguel and Dr. Andrea were assisted by (6) veterinary students all in their mid-20s:                                                                                       

Sergio Alejandro Marraquin Díaz

Gabriela Franco Arenales

Ravi De León Aguine

Sigrid de Paz Contreras

Andrés Duarte

Nadia Arunyo Calderón

Highlights

From the administration side, July definitely ran much smoother. Our database continues to grow with medical, demographic and social information. Registration, Medical In-take and Discharge are handled through the following stations:

Station 1 – Registration for Healthy Pets and Zoo Mascota

• Patient and human companion registration that includes a social case work-up to determine each person’s financial capability and need; those ineligible for free services are required to pay Q200 or a negotiated portion (our base cost)
• All are asked to sign a clinic liability disclaimer
• All are asked to donate something towards the clinic

Station 2 – Triage and Medical Assessment

• Veterinary students conduct general physical exams and record patient weight, age, temperature and general condition
• The students administer and record any vaccinations given
• Pre and post-op procedures are explained to the patient’s human companion; they are also told that they are free to leave and return for their “baby” in 2-3 hours
• Animals are then transferred to kennels lining the wall leading to the surgery suite

Station 3 – Surgery Suite and Recovery

• Dr. Miguel and Dra. Portillo each have a surgery station and they both conduct training with the students in the small incision, quick sterilization technique; students are offered the opportunity to practice incision-making and suturing
• Both Drs. and students carefully watch over the recovery area
• Upon discharge, each companion is given written and verbal discharge instructions, in Spanish, Kachiquel or English, a complementary bag of pet food as well as a properly fitted collar and leash, if needed (and most do!)

Total Animals for July Clinic: 10 Female Dogs and 2 Male Dogs; our lowest turn out since we began offering monthly clinics

Total Cost of Clinic: Q2400 for surgeries; Q600 for other treatments and supplies = Q3000

Total Donations Received from participants = Q460

We also received a check from the University San Carlos School of Veterinary Medicine for Q230 to purchase of puppy food for the Food Supplement Project.

The Healthy Pets Program is fortunate to have a legacy grant (3 May 2008) that covers most of the cost of our clinics; however, we still need your help. For every Q250 we receive, one more animal can be added to the numbers over a given month.

This week we’ll be posting our 1^st quarterly report for this fiscal year. Check back to see all the amazing results the Healthy Pets Program has achieved since 1 April 2008 along with a financial breakdown of each of our projects.

You’ll also read plans for our August Sterilization Blitz, for International Rabies Day on 8 September and the preliminary thoughts on this year’s Dia de los Perros scheduled of 8 November.

Your kind donations help us help them!

Please hit the contribute button

and become part of the solution to overpopulation!

Panajachel — A bittersweet goodbye took place in the early morning hours of 16 July. At 3 a.m. , Isis nose-kissed her sister, something they did often, and was off with Julio to the big city to meet her new companions and fly off to her new home in San Francisco! Lauren and Annette fell in love with her on their visit and just couldn’t leave her behind.

She and her sister, Cleo are definite survivors. After being abandoned at about 4 weeks old, they both developed Parvo and life was touch-and-go for several days. Happily, both girls made at and are happy and healthy today thanks to donations from kind folks like you!

Cleo is still looking for her perfect match . . . could it be you?

A catered buffet by Mathilda follows the movie with performances by two local jazz musicians, Chris Jarnach and Dave Sherman. At approximately 8:30 p.m. the doors will open for a cover-free evening of dancing with Musica Santander, Monroe Porch All-Stars and Method to the Madnez providing the tunes.

COME JOIN OUR CELEBRATION AND HELP THE DOGS AND CATS OF LAKE ATITLAN!

We are working on our application to become a Society Member of WSPA and I (Selaine) attended a workshop in Guatemala City on Sunday that focused on fund raising and media relations. Max was happy to learn about our working relationship with the University San Carlos and expressed interest in helping us expand our education program. There are a number of joint project ideas under consideration, but one thing is sure, the synergy between Healthy Pets, the University, McKee Project in Costa Rica and WSPA is strong and beneficial to all.

Advertising for the May Sterilization Clinic brought in another 27 animals to Zoo Mascota for operations. Others too young for surgeries were vaccinated and given a schedule for repeat vaccinations as well as an appointment for the June clinic for sterilization. This puts the total number of sterilization for Healthy Pets at well over 500!

Our database is filling up with all kinds of good information for follow-up home visits and future contact when routine vet care is due. Great work, Ezzie!

The team for May included University San Carlos instructor, Dra. Portillo and five vet students:

Jose Luis Benard
Jose Francisco Torres
Julio Gabriel Perez Orchild
Ligid Mercedes Jacobo
Gerardo Samuel Toledo

as well as Dr. Miguel, Juan, Elisabeth, Ismael, Jonathan, Ezzie, Selaine and Patti our Healthy Pets team.

Humane education classes continue to be held every Wednesday at Centro, a public elementary school in Panajachel. Here’s the latest video of Marilena with her exponential population growth chart behind her. Can’t wait to see what’s next, Mari!

The kids jumping for joy and yelling Marilena’s name.

May brought new homes for 6 lucky pups and 2 adults! We hugged and kissed goodbye Tina, Dokie, Pia, Dottie, Cookie, Daisy, Sombra and Domino.

New adoption flyers go up tomorrow for Lil Boy, Missy, Tigre, Gia, Isis, Cleo, Pepa and Koala. Here’s a look at some of the sweeties we have with us today. Osa’s picture is included to show how cute she is and to say that she is slated to be adopted this week. Unfortunately, the weather has not been cooperating for the caretakers to make from the City to pick her up!

The Jucanya Rehab house was used for only one month. It simply wasn’t the right neighborhood for us, so we are looking at other possibilities. In the meantime, most of our adoptable puppies are boarding at Zoo Mascota.

Don’t forget, if you are visiting and have your heart stolen by one of our pets, puppies and kittens can be flown under your seat as carry-on with most airlines.

Thanks for visiting our page! Please come back soon and donate when you can! The team, the dogs and the cats thank you for caring!

Last time this reporter woofed out a message it was all about Emergency Services and how many puppies were showing up homeless. I’m proud to woof that several of them have found good homes along with Tina, a sweet-natured adult female and Sombra, a lab mix who was in foster care. Here are some pics for you all to see!

A BIG WAG OF THE TAIL TO ALL THE NEW COMPANIONS IN MY GOOD FRIENDS’ LIVES!

WOOF, WOOF!

In the purposeful absence of a formal animal shelter, post-op and infant homeless animals in need of follow up care through emergency services have been boarded with the local Veterinarian. These animals, primarily dogs, are either adopted or released once they have sufficiently recovered and are healthy enough to survive life on the streets again.

However, due to recent significant increase in cases requiring Emergency Services, our boarding costs have been on the rise and not sufficiently supported by incoming contributions.

As a stop-gap measure, Healthy Pets has begun a month-to-month leasing arrangement for a typico house in the Jucanya area of Panajachel. The house is currently home to 5 puppies, all under 4-months-old and a recovering adult mother who is undergoing chemotherapy for CTVT. Lola, the adult is scheduled for release back to the street within one month. She has a specific place where she hangs out and several human friends in the area who will keep an eye on her. All animals are sterilized, vaccinated, wormed and given an extended flea treatment prior to release.

Members of the Healthy Pets team frequent Casa de Perros on a daily basis, and we have also hired someone to do daily cleaning and feeding.

Our monthly expenses for the Jucanya Rehab Center are currently running approximately $200usd per month, which is a fraction of the cost to otherwise pay for boarding services through the Veterinarian.

Also through this arrangement, and in addition to the cost savings measures we have taken, we have also significantly and humanely reduced human health care risks in neighborhoods of Jucanya.

Please support the Healthy Pets Program in any way you can.

Please select the HELP HEALTHY PETS link in the right hand column of this news story to make a safe and secure contribution through PayPal.

Thank You for your continued support,

Selaine and the Healthy Pets Team

As we wound our way through the narrow alleyways of the neighborhood my mind raced trying to calmly collect the right words. We arrived outside of the little typico home and I peered down the small lane that separated two homes. What I saw first were two dogs, a female and a puppy tied to the fence in a way that forced them to lay down all the time. The female was actually attached with wire wrapped around her neck and then twisted onto the fencing. There was no water in sight and the female was emaciated and very ill with what I suspected to be distemper. The puppy was skin and bones, too, and her little eyes were beginning to shut with goo.

Ezzie knocked on the door. A older woman appeared and graciously let us in. We then saw the OTHER dogs. They were all tied so they could only stand. Again, no water, no signs of food. We asked her how long they had been without food and her reply was about a week or two. Very nonchalant. She stated that the female had given birth to a litter and that the puppies were all stolen except for the one tied near dying mom. We later discovered from a neighbor that in actuality the puppies had all died. We left her with a bag of puppy chow and told her we would return with the vet that afternoon.  We told her to change the way all the remaining dogs were tied and we would be returning to check in.

Dr. Miguel, Ezzie and I returned within a couple of hours to assess and decide what needed to be done. It’s difficult to force people to surrender animals here and there is no real legal recourse so we knew we’d have to work with the family rather than get angry and demanding. While Dr. Miguel euthansized the mother dog and her puppy, I sat quietly with the woman and explained the problems with her dogs. I also invited her to bring all of her animals to the clinic scheduled for March 31 for sterilization, vaccinations and worming. It was explained that by complying with this request, she would be eligible to buy dog food at a vastly reduced price — I told her I’d be willing to provide food through our program for the remaining four dogs for as little as Q3 per week — $0.39. To those of you who have never visited Guatemala, the average weekly salary for many indigenous is somewhere around $10.

I don’t like sharing pictures that depict torture, but this time, I feel it’s necessary to relate the true horror of this scene. I apologize for the quality, but all we had on us at the time was a cell phone with a camera.

The people are willing to listen, some will change, but it is the children who will eventually make the difference.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE HEALTHY PETS EMERGENCY SERVICES, HUMANE EDUCATION, AND FOOD PROJECTS.

Healthy Pets

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

Puppies, puppies everywhere! It seems some of my friends haven’t made it to a Healthy Pets clinic yet! For the last several weeks, humans have been dropping off abandoned youngsters at the clinic, Mayan Families headquarters and at the homes of volunteers.

First there were 8 puppies found wandering along the side of a busy street in Jucanya. Then 4 more found tied in a costale and tossed down by the river to die. Another 5 were taken in due to poor health and the fact that there is a deadly Distemper epidemic running through Pana and Solola. Yesterday, program director and my foster companion, Selaine received several more calls for help.

Over the past couple of weeks, Healthy Pets has found homes for 8 of the homeless pups and there’s a good possibility that 2 more adoptions will occur today.

A big wag of the tail to our friend Xenii at AWARE for her help in sending 4 pups to the U.S.A.!

On that note, I received some correspondence from Andrea and Miguelita, the two adult females who were adopted and now living in their new U.S. homes.

Here’s what Andrea’s companion Elaine wrote for her:

I think that I mentioned to you that Andie is very protective of her turf and won’t allow another dog in the house which keeps me from adopting any more pets . Anyway, I went away for the weekend and boarded the dogs at a friend’s kennel. She’s been a trainer and owner of a boarding facility for years. She and I had talked about Andie so she was aware of her behavior. After I dropped off the dogs, my friend put the dogs in runs and Andie immediately become assertive. So my friend put a LARGE assertive dog in the next kennel to see if that would stifle Andie. Well, if Andie and this large dog could talk, here’s what the conversation would have been:

large dog: I’m big and tough and I’m gonna be the boss while I’m here.

Andie: yeah, you think you’re bad…….well, I’m ‘badder’…..so, go ahead, take a shot.

I laughed at my friend’s description of Andie and the large dog. But, I have to really respect Andie for her survival instincts and her fearless nature. I love this short, squat little dog with all my heart. At the end of the day, she’s the one snuggled next to me……she’s just wonderful.

TeeHeeHee . . . I know just how she feels! A wag of the tail “Hello, from Pana”!

And from Miguelita’s new best friend, Nancy, we heard this:

She is doing very well. After her initial unwillingness to even enter the house, she is now quite comfortable. In fact, I went downstairs last nite to find her in my favorite spot on the couch! X-rays revealed the fractured hip, a fractured number 7 vertebra, and a beer cap in her tummy (we hope that will pass gently). Once we have rechecked her platelets, which seemed a bit low, she may be going on a course of prednisone. But the doctor and all the vet staff just love her; they are taking very good care of her. I believe, assuming all goes will with the meds, we will plan a surgery to remove the bone at the hip end of her leg to eliminate the bone on bone rubbing. The doctor does not expect a problem from the fractured vertebra as it is already fusing healing.

She is just charming. No accidents in the house. Well behaved, very vocal. We just love her. She especially loves sitting outside watching the goings on in the neighbor’s yard. They have a young sheltie who keeps Miguelita very entertained, and after Santiago and Pana, I am sure she finds my yard rather boring.

Nancy, just a note from an old retired street dog, I’m sure she LOVES your yard! It so nice to have a yard to call your own! Big wag of the tail!

As you all can gather, Emergency Services is hopping! The Healthy Pets team is doing its best to provide proper care for all the orphans and severely injured animals BUT we need your help! Several of you readers have responded to the call for help with the sterilization clinics by pledging monthly commitments. I am happy to report that based on budget projections, this service is financial sound for this fiscal year.

However, Emergency Services is struggling financially. Please open you heart to the needs of these youngsters as well as the adults treated through the Healthy Pets Program.

Your donations go directly to dog, cats, puppies and kittens in need.

Please help us!

Thank you very much Carla for these needed items. They will be put to good use in homes and for health care.

Healthy Pets Program

Panajachel – It was a beautiful bright Pana morning as we all arrived for the April Healthy Pets clinic. There were six students from the University of San Carlos, 2 doctors, the Zoo Mascota staff as well as staff and volunteers from the Healthy Pets program. It was a good thing we had a full crew!

As soon as the doors opened, the clinic was flooded with people, dogs, puppies, cats and kittens! A total of 31 animals were successfully sterilized. Several others were vaccinated, wormed and treated for fleas.

Excuse me. Can you please spay my dog?

The program is shopping for an appropriate piece of equipment to safely tranquilize street dogs for pickup and delivery to the clinics. This will greatly enable us in our effort to reduce the street dog population.

Students assess those in Recovery.

Healthy Pets wishes to thank MayaNet and Hotel Las Brisas for their monthly commitment to sterilize one animal at each clinic! We also thank Dr. Andrea Portillo for her continued volunteer support and the wonderful students with their gifts of dried dog chow for the Food Supplement Project.

Dr. Miguel gives discharge instructions

Healthy Pets Program

]]> http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/april-clinic-%e2%80%93-more-students-more-food-and-more-sterilizations/feed/ 2 Ayuda http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/felipe-and-cookie/ http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/felipe-and-cookie/#comments Wed, 07 May 2008 20:52:24 +0000 Ayuda http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/?p=38 Continue reading →]]>

Felipe is a local tuc-tuc taxi driver who lives in Panajachel. He lives with his wife and four children and their family dog Liberty. Felipe and his family recently found a new life companion through the Healthy Pets Adoption services.

Cookie and her three sisters were abandoned along the local riverbed and recued by someone who brought them to the Healthy Pets monthly clinic. After a few weeks of recuperation in a foster home Cookie was given vaccinations and she was ready to find a home.

Shortly after adopting Cookie, Felipe was seen at last month’s clinic, as promised in the Healthy Pets Adoption Agreement. Felipe had both Cookie and her new friend Liberty sterilized. Cookie’s siblings, who are still up for adoption, were also sterilized that same day.

It is always so gratifying to see abandoned puppies like Cookie and her three sisters find good homes with caring indigenous families like Felipe’s.

Healthy Pets Program

Miguelita in Santiago, Guatemala, April 2008

Miguelita Ready To Go, Panajachel, May 2008

Panajachel – It was a happy scene at Zoo Mascota, home of Healthy Pets clinics and emergency services. After living on the streets of Santiago for her entire life with a hip fracture, on May 3rd Miguelita headed off to Guatemala City to board a plane bound for her new home in Maryland USA.

After clearing US Customs in Miami, Miguelita arrived safely around midnight of the same day.

Nancy D., a volunteer for the Hospitalito in Santiago, discovered Miguelita barely able to move and starving near the town center. Nancy began feeding and taking fresh water to her daily. Within no time, Miguelita began to respond and it was obvious, she was a gentle, affectionate street dog.

About this time, Healthy Pets was in the process of planning the first free and low-cost sterilization clinic in Santiago. Nancy contacted the program and asked for help with sweet Miguelita.

Due to her weakness, it was determined that Miguelita was not a candidate for the clinic and was therefore transferred to Panajachel where she was vaccinated, wormed and boarded at Zoo Mascota. Once she regained her strength, she was spayed and x-rayed, which revealed the slight hip fracture.

After her return to the US, Nancy continued to help Miguelita and ultimately decided that she would adopt her. Luckily for all concerned, good friend Ken W. was flying back at the right moment and graciously offered to transport Miguelita to her new Mom!

The story of Nancy and Miguelita is becoming common. Visiting volunteers find their hearts unexpectedly stolen by Atitlan’s street dogs. This makes the 4th homeless dog to be transported to a good home in the US through the Healthy Pets Program.

Healthy Pets Program

]]> http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/05/06/miguelita-flys-home/feed/ 4 Ayuda Miguelita in Santiago, April 2008 http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/05/03/legacy-grant-ensures-continuation-of-clinics/ http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/05/03/legacy-grant-ensures-continuation-of-clinics/#comments Sat, 03 May 2008 23:24:42 +0000 Ayuda http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/?p=32 Continue reading →]]> Panajachel – Today an important milestone was met by the Healthy Pets fund-raising team. The first installment of a generous one-year grant with funds distributed quarterly was received from the estate of Dr. and Mrs. R.H. Davis.

Grandaughter Katie has enabled this grant and shared…

“This gift is in honor of Dr. and Mrs. R.H. Davis of St. Petersburg, Florida. My grandparents were adventurous people with a passion for Latin America and a love for dogs of all shapes and sizes. For nearly two decades my grandparents would take extended driving trips in their 1967 Rambler from Florida to Central America taking time to hand out books, talk with the local people, and feed animals they met on the streets. Their adventures took them through Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and many more countries. This gift honors that passion and their sincere hope that the animals and people in these amazing countries could live a life filled with comfort and hope.”

The contribution is specified for the sterilization clinics and ensures that all 16 clinics budgeted for 2008 can take place as planned.

——————————————————————

Dear Katie and Family,

We thank you deeply for the continued family tradition of helping those in need!

Selaine

Healthy Pets Program

Dr. Portillo Expains Post-Op Instructions

Guatemala City – For the last several months, final-year vet students and instructor, Dr. Andrea Portillo have participated in the monthly sterilization clinics sponsored by Healthy Pets. The relationship has proved highly beneficial for all parties and resulted in an offer by the University to expand their involvement in the Healthy Pets program.

Director, Selaine d’Ambrosi and Dr. Miguel Regil, the contracted Healthy Pets veterinarian met with Dr. De La Rosa, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Portillo and Dr. Blanca de Romillo on Tuesday to discuss the possibilities. d’Ambrosi stated, “the meeting was very encouraging. The next step is to submit an action plan and calendar for this school year outlining the proposed activities. This, in turn, will be presented to the faculty for collaboration.”

Potential new support would come from 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th year students participating in the Humane Education project as well as Vaccination and General Health Clinics. Dr. Regil commented that, “Giving these students hands-on practical experience as well as exposing them to impoverished people is critical to their education. Their help is needed and the experience they will gain will be fulfilling and invaluable as they progress in their careers.”

Current support for the sterilization clinics will continue as negotiations for project expansion progress.

Healthy Pets Program

]]> http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/university-san-carlos-and-healthy-pets-to-formalize-relationship/feed/ 1 Ayuda Dr. Portillo Explains Post-Op Instructions http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/healthy-pets-and-centro-de-salud-featured-in-pana-dish-program/ http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/healthy-pets-and-centro-de-salud-featured-in-pana-dish-program/#comments Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:24:31 +0000 Ayuda http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/?p=12 Continue reading →]]>

Panajachel — Healthy Pets representatives, Dr. Miguel Regil and Marilena de Perez along with Dr. Barrios and two new physicians from Centro de Salud presented a program on rabies and the importance of sterilization of domestic animals. With the recent outbreak of human rabies cases in Xela and Solola, the program highlighted the fact that free rabies vaccinations are available through both Healthy Pets and Centro de Salud on an on-going basis.

An important fact that was shared is that rabies vaccines need to be administered annually here, not just once in the lifetime of a pet. The need for additional vaccinations for diseases such as distemper was also addressed along with a passionate plea to be kind to the animals.

The 35-minute program aired Wednesday 23 April and will air again this evening on channel 2. Plans for continued television programming are underway as well as development of radio call-in programs.

Click Here to go to Healthy Pets page

]]> http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/healthy-pets-and-centro-de-salud-featured-in-pana-dish-program/feed/ 0 Ayuda http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/04/25/educational-outreach-a-huge-success/ http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/04/25/educational-outreach-a-huge-success/#comments Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:26:14 +0000 Ayuda http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/?p=21 Continue reading →]]>

Panajachel – Wednesdays at Centro Elementary School, located on Calle Santander in Panajachel, Marilena de Perez, Healthy Pets humane education teacher and coordinator is conducting Humane Education Classes. During her last lessons, she gave a visual demonstration to students about the seriousness of domestic animal overpopulation and how quickly it occurs if pets are allowed to continuously breed. By using cut outs of small dog figures she mounted them on the white board creating a “family tree”.

The concept of the Humane Education Project is to teach humane awareness to the community’s youth through lessons that integrate music, dance and other fun activities to grasp their attention. Identical lessons are scheduled for Capulin Elementary School where the project was launched. Marilena stated, “I hope to be conducting classes in at least 5 schools by the end of this school year.”

Students also received brochures for their parents explaining the importance of pet sterilization and advertising the monthly free and low-cost clinics sponsored by Healthy Pets.

Click Here to go to Healthy Pets Program page to learn more or make a contribution.

After a month long grievance from the misfortunate disappearance of her beloved “Lucky”, a cocker spaniel, her animal companion for more than two years, Alicia decided it was time to give another lucky dog a chance.

After a brief interview to determine the perfect companion, Alicia was introduced to “Peter” and it was literally “love at first sight”!

They are now seen every day by neighbors side-by-side in their garden watching and relaxing together as best friends. Seeing them together one can only think of the words to a well-known song — “and they called it puppy love.”

Click Here to go to Healthy Pets page

Hi everybody,

We are quickly looking for someone who wants to adopt or is willing to find placement in the Los Angeles area for “Ava”, our tripod one-year-old, full-blooded “Mayan Terrier” or “Chucho” She has been waiting for the right human to come along for months now and no one seems willing to take on this beauty. She doesn’t care that she only has three legs! She’s playful, affectionate, socialized, spayed, vaccinated, healthy and wanting someone to love her and give her security. She’s been through a great ordeal but her spirit is soaring!

PLEASE, if you live in the L.A. area and can help us place her, we have transportation available May 4th. Dwight, our board chairman, is traveling back that day and can bring her along.

Muy Muchas Gracias,

Selaine

selaine@mayanfamilies.org

Click here to Healthy Pets

]]> http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/our-little-tripod-needs-a-home/feed/ 0 Ayuda http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/04/12/animal-conscious-students/ http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/2008/04/12/animal-conscious-students/#comments Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:24:22 +0000 Ayuda http://mfhealthypets.wordpress.com/?p=5 Continue reading →]]> PANAJACHEL 4/4/08–As part of its ongoing Humane Education sub-Program, members of the Healthy Pets team visited the Centro elementary school. The students talked about their pets and learned the necessities of clean water, healthy food, love and compassion for all animals.

The 45 minute planned event to the school included Marilena reading stories to the background accompaniment of Ezzie on her violin.

Team member Joan was also in attendance and took this video clip of Marilena and the Special Education class.

If you’d like to contribute to the Healthy Pets Program, then please click here to go to the Healthy Pets Program web page, and then select the Contribute button on that page.

PANAJACHEL 3/31/08 – Woof, woof from Panajachel! This is Einstein, retired street dog reporting . . .

There is plenty to share on the animal front, so, noses in the air, let us get sniffing out the scoops!

The greatest news for the animals this week is that at long last the x-ray machine has arrived at Zoo Mascota! All of us thank those of you who contributed to this important addition to our clinic. We only have to wait a little bit longer for the shipment to arrive from Dr. Jim in the US with the developing tanks, hangers and other peripheral stuff. Kizzie, Tootsie and I are lined up and ready for a good look at what’s going on with us. Wag of the tail to all!

Another “giant leap” for animal-kind in Pana is happening on the Humane Education front. Program coordinator, Marilena de Perez told this reporter that “classes are scheduled to begin on 28 February in Capulin Elementary School. The team has developed 8 lessons plans that include such topics as bite prevention, human and pet needs for life, responsible care for a dog or cat and more, all presented in a playful but informative fashion”. The Humane Education team includes Joan Qualthrough, Helen Rosales and Carmen de Hunt, Capulin School principal. Wag of the tail for you wonderful volunteers!

More good news came out of Guatemala City earlier this month. The McKee Project, based in San Jose, Costa Rica coordinated a meeting between several nonprofit animal welfare groups, the University of Veterinary Medicine, the Colegio (the licensing agency for Guatemalan vets), vets and others active in animal welfare. McKee principals, Carla Ferraro, Dr. Gerardo Vicente and Christine Crawford presented the objectives of the Project and won unanimous support from all.

McKee is chartered to train vets throughout Latin America in small-incision spay and neuter surgical procedures. This technique requires less anesthesia and only one or two stitches for closure thereby reducing post-op infections and stitches opening. Animals recover quicker and with less side affects. It also enables vets to lower their prices on sterilization surgeries.

Mayan Families director, Selaine d’Ambrosi stated, “Due to the training Dr. Miguel received in Costa Rica, our post-op problems have dropped dramatically and the price for our low-cost clinics has been reduced from $30 – 50 per animal to a $25 flat fee for all. We are also fortunate to have other vets and students attending our clinics for training. Licensed, practicing vets are encouraged to participate and after thorough training, are allowed to perform surgeries during the clinics. Last-year vet students from the University attend primarily to observe and are offered practice on incisions and stitching only. They pay for their training through contributions of pet food that helps support the Food Supplement Program.

Dr. Andrea Portillo and Gina Illesca have been appointed co-coordinators for the McKee Project in Guatemala. A big WOOF WOOF and wag of the tail to all involved in this important effort towards better, less expensive veterinary care and reduction in overpopulation!

The Healthy Pets program is happy to announce two new members of the team! Marvin, a pre-med student began work on Monday. He is organizing a comprehensive database, promoting the clinics, assisting the humane ed team and helping out at Zoo Mascota in the mornings. Welcome, Marvin!

Ishmael, a ten-year-old charmer is also on board at Zoo Mascota in the afternoons. He works after school walking the dogs in long-term care or boarding. He also helps Juan clean kennels, the grounds, give baths as well as feed and water everyone for the night. Welcome, Ishmael!

Several good folks have dropped by to see me at my retirement home. It’s always good to see friends! Some asked if the municipality poisoned recently because they’ve noticed a decrease in the number of street dogs. Of course, I immediately jumped into action, called my buddy, Julio who in turn called the mayor’s office. The answer is NO, neither the Muni nor Centro de Salud is poisoning.

Do you want to keep these agencies from poisoning innocent, helpless animals? 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!

Please join others in making a monthly contribution towards
Mayan Families Healthy Pets.

Until next time, keep your tail wagging!

Here’s one of my pals playing with his family…

Click Here to Go to Healthy Pets Page

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