LIFE WITH THE ANIMALS / PIÑONES BEACH PROJECT

Now that I have submitted our proposal to the health department to provide a standardized animal control officer / cruelty investigator course here in PR, I feel relief. My life was consumed with this proposal and there was very little time for much else for the last month. There were so many statistics, certificates and documents to gather and put together that I’m very grateful to professor John Saccenti from Career Development Institute, Bill Leffingwell, an experienced proposal writer and especially our own Liz Kracht who basically saved the day with her expert proposal writing and organizational skills! Liz got exactly what I was visualizing for the course and she said it like I saw it and put it in exactly the outline that the health department required. Go Liz – She’s a genius!!

I might have been writing and running around to get documents prepared but that doesn’t stop doglets from needing rescue and somehow they find their way to me.

Tiny brothers, Whitey and Shep, my two new midgets were handed to me by Don Miguel. He is my kind hearted neighbor, an elderly gentleman who feeds the homeless dogs here at the beach. He has very limited resources and rescued these babies but couldn’t bathe them or care for them because he can’t bend down. I went there once and bathed them about a month ago and they were miserable and full of ticks then, but when I picked them up on Saturday, they were infested with thousands upon thousands of ticks and fleas. These two look like collies but are so tiny that they will be very small adult dogs.

Tiny Whitey boy was the weaker one and is still getting rid of the residual effects of his infestation and parasites. When I bathed them at Don Miguel’s, he had to loose hair because the ticks were so stuck to him like a carpet. It was truly gross.

And here’s tiny little Shep! They didn’t smile at all and seemed to be in pain for the first 2 days because of all the round worm and tick infestation but now they are playing like the puppies that they are. They eat lots and sleep lots just like their two foster sibs and they are fluffy little creatures who are always smiling now.

More Baby picks….

Here’s foster sib Julian

Whitey

Leyla

Here’s the sweetest girl in the world, Pinky who thought life was cruel till she came home and got bathed and medicated. She is 6 months old but very small weighing in at 15 lbs. That’s as big as she’ll probably get and now she is feeling lots better since her demodectic mange is almost gone.

And this is adorable Keyla. She’s a sweet and funny little Golden Retriever mix but will be a smaller version. She’s grown just a little in the last 2 weeks.

That’s just the puppy count. Now here is Leyla’s mom Ruby:

With Leyla: They were both limping when they came to me but now they are just fine. I believe someone threw them out of a moving car together because they were both limping on their right legs.

Here is precious Dino. He’ll make a great friend and pet and loves to be with pther dogs. He is very submissive and friendly and looks up at me withi his soulful eyes. I just love this boy and after all the cruelty and abuse he’s been exposed to, I just want to make sure he goes to a great home. Jess and Greg said they might take him to be Coqui’s brother. Hope it happens!! They are GREAT pet owners. More like the pets own them!

And let’s not forget the one and only beautiful Blondie girl. She’s also looking for a permanent home.

If you see anyone you would like to adopt on any of my entries, please contact me at 787-313-5653 or email me at amigosdelosanimalespr@gmail.com and I can give you the details of how we can ship your forever friend to you. We’ve done this many times and many of these precious adoptable dogs have found great forever homes with people from the states just like you.

Please donate the most you can because we can’t do this alone and the kids need our help. They need medical exams, vaccinations and some have needed more intense treatments. Also, I need to buy food for them and donations have been very sporadic. Don’t think that I stop rescuing because there are no funds. Sadly enough, this beach and most places in Puerto Rico are so full of suffering animals that it’s hard for me to look away, or just feed them till I have enough to rescue. I have a very difficult time leaving a suffering animal and just feeding it because of lack of money. My tendency is to rescue the animal even though I don’t have money and I recognize that this is my flaw. Believe me, I would be in a much better economic situation if I didn’t rescue them and bring the animals home – but I do.

So I am asking you to please become a regular donor. $10 or $100 whatever you can do. These are hard times for everybody but especially the animals. They don’t have a voice and we speak for them.

Please donate when you can and always adopt the adoptable.

Thanks for reading – be blessed. Xx Adri

Adopt a pet from a rescuer or a shelter – never purchase because that proliferates puppy mills. Here are my kids – some are ready for adoption. I can have someone do a home check if you don’t live in PR and we can send you a “sato”.

Last night the kids next door brought me a small mama dog and her only baby she had left. They were found wandering about in search of food in Pinones. What else is new? Same story every time.

Isn’t she the cutest thing? I decided to call her Keyla instead of Sheba because I already had a Sheba and she looks like a Keyla. She’s so smart too.

I am truthfully falling asleep so I’ll continue this tomorrow morning. Thanks so much for any donations you can send. We are really in need right now and the dogs don’t stop coming just because there’s no money to support them – dogs are in distress here and I can’t just watch and feed – I’m a take action type of girl.

Thanks for reading – donate when you can and adopt the adoptable! Xx Adri

Sorry I haven’t been able to blog for a little. I’ve been writing this proposal for the 3 ACO courses I want sponsorship to bring to PR and yesterday Max Brandt from the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) was in town giving us a semenar on organizations. It was awesome and I have so much new information that will hopefully help all of us rescue orgs here in Puerto Rico. But I feel like smoke is coming out of my ears!

3 days ago, when my other kids took their trip to St. Hubert’s, that very same evening, I found a little white female inside my yard with all the rest of my kids. She’s so small and full of pink splotches from mange that I call her Pinky and I thought she was just a pup, but guess what – she is all of 6 months old. I gave her all of her shots and deparasited her and kept her in the bathroom till I could get her to the vet on Friday morning. Little Pinky is full of Demodectic mange which is not contageous, many think it is a stress induced congenital condition so we’ll be able to get rid of it pretty easy. She just needs TLC and medication.

Then the next morning, my little Silky boy, Peluche who I rescued during a cruelty investigation last week, looked like he was getting a cold so I gathered him and Pinky to go to Dr. Casta and when I opened my front door, my neighbors down the street handed me little Sheba to protect her. Everyone here gives me abandoned dogs but since they’re so poor, nobody donates. I’m the dog lady in my neighborhood.

So now today is Sunday and I just got back from walking my dogs with a new pup in tow. Some kids on the boardwalk gave him to me. I named him Julian after my nephew. He weighs about 3 lbs. and is too cute for words. I just gave him his shots and deparasited him and I have to wait till tomorrow morning to take him to Dr. Casta.

Meanwhile, all this takes money and I’m flat broke. But thank God, my friend Carlos, owner of The Bamboobei Restaurant here in Pinones, is giving me a job as a waitress because all of my endevors to work in Animal Control have been rejected! This is so not right!

Since some of you are donors, I wanted you all to see where I live and how I manage with the dogs I rescue. i think it’s important for you to understand that i am not a wealthy person under any circumstances and that Chris, Liz, Shanti, Nydia and I do this mostly from our own pockets. Last year we made less than half of our animal rescue expenditures in donations and we payed for the rest out of our own pockets. So when we say we are spending every penny you doante on the dogs and the horses, please know that we are being totally honest with you.

This is my carport. It used to have a hammock but now it is totally dedicated to crate training the dogs I rescue and foster.

I recently asked the Health Department to come to my house just to make sure that I am doing everything I should to keep the dogs healthy and my neighbors happy. They gave us a clean bill of health and a very good recommendation! Here’s my front yard where the kids hang out much of the time when it’s not raining.

These views are of the ‘doggy condo” in my back yard which is actually a 10′ x 10′ room where the dogs can go when it is raining. i have shelves for storage up high and down below is all theirs. They like to lay back there on hot days too because the floor is nice and cool. It means there’s lots to keep clean but there’s more space for them too.

Here’s the outside view of the little doggy condo.

And these last views are of the kennel that wasn’t. Back a few months ago I had a little money and I started to build 3 kennels where I could separate new dogs and moms with litters. When this is finished, it will save me tons of money because I won’t have to keep the animals at the vets as long. I’ll have a place to keep them under observation for the first 10 days before they go into the general population.

So now once again friends, I am asking you to please donate as little or as much as you can so that I can finish these kennels with the doors that you see in the last view. I’m trying to finish these with great building material for the tropics because it’s galvanized and it keeps the dogs completely separated.

If you can, please help me finish these kennels because it will be so much more cost effective to care for the dogs with these babies done.

I really appreciate you and want to thank those of you who have donated in the past. You know who you are and if it weren’t for you, these pets wouldn’t find homes. You are actually rescuing when you donate to Amigos de los Animales.

Thanks for everything, don’t forget to donate and ALWAYS adopt the adoptable!

Thanks for reading! Be Blessed, Adri

Beba For First Dog

Amigos de los Animales Inc. (ADLA), a Puerto Rico 501(c)3 nonprofit animal welfare group based in San Juan, is nominating a Puerto Rican “sato” (mixed-breed dog) as candidate for “First Dog” after President-elect Barack Obama said the future First Family is looking for a “mutt.” Amigos de los Animales, Inc.

Amigos de los Animales Inc. (ADLA), a Puerto Rico 501(c)3 nonprofit animal welfare group based in San Juan, is nominating a Puerto Rican “sato” (mixed-breed dog) as candidate for “First Dog” after President-elect Barack Obama said the future First Family is looking for a “mutt.”

After making a promise to his daughters during his campaign that they could have a dog after the campaign was over–win or lose–Obama said in a press conference Friday that the dog must fit two other criteria: be hypoallergenic, because one of his daughters has allergies, and preferably come from a shelter.

ADLA Acting President Elizabeth Kracht, whose organization is dedicated to animal welfare issues in Puerto Rico and the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of companion animals, said her organization has the perfect candidate: “Beba.”

“Beba is an adorable tan and white Chihuahua-mix puppy that weighs nearly five pounds and is about three months old. Beba was rescued from a local shelter with low adoption rates shortly after she was left in a box with her siblings at the shelter gate with almost no hair. She is now on the road to recovery and fits the Obama family’s criteria for First Dog.

“Beba is also nonpartisan.” Kracht says. “She’ll be able to help the President-elect reach across party lines.”

Early in the campaign, then-Senator Barack Obama visited Puerto Rico in his bid for the Democratic nomination. As a Commonwealth, however, Puerto Rico residents are not eligible to vote for the president in the general elections.

Animal welfare issues continue to plague the island. The island’s stray animal population is conservatively estimated to be near 200,000. In addition, cases of animal cruelty grabbed national headlines in the United States with the revelation that local government officials in Barceloneta seized more than 80 animals from low-income housing residents in the area and threw the animals to their deaths from a local bridge.

Don’t forget to adopt the adoptable and donate when you can. Thanks for reading!

Here’s the beautiful Milo again. We had to rescue him from a home he was abandoned in – locked inside – for 2 weeks without food or water. His family just decided to move back to the Dominiquen Republic and left him locked up inside. The neighbors were very concerned, picked the lock and we all let him out. He was so skinny and droopy but just as sweet as could be. he was so happy to see people again.

We took him to Dr. Ramos and then he came home with me. Of course when a dog is as awesome as Milo, it’s easy to fall in love and though he had a couple temperament issues, we wanted to save him because he’s a noble good boy and just needed the proper care and love to be able to overcome them. That’s where incredible people like Kari and Mark came in. Kari has family in PR and understands first hand, the bad situation for animals here in PR. They wanted to help Milo and the animal rescue cause so we sent Milo to them in PA to foster him. They originally offered to foster Milo, but after a couple months, they also fell in love and decided to adopt him. He has some hip displasia and they are giving him medication and warm clothing, but besides that, he looks pretty much like he’s died and gone to heaven. Actually, Mark is pretty much in love with Milo too!

Meet big good boy Milo….His mommy, Kari buys him sweaters to keep him warm in the chilly northern weather of PA.

Oh what good boys!

Don’t forget folks, donate when you can and always adopt the adoptable.

Blessings and thanks for reading!

Xx Adri

I’m always so happy when I can comment on great success stories. Little Lala girl (in Mark’s arms on the left), who was dumped in my yard while I was away from Puerto Rico, now owns a wonderful family in New Jersey! Mark and Sandy adopted her from Wagon Inn to keep company with their gorgious Doberman Tego. Seems like the “kids” get along great!

And the new proud parents are completely aware of who ‘owns” whom! As it should always be:) Just kidding – we must always be able to discipline and contol our pack through calm and kindness. Looks like Mark and Sandy have it down. Yay!!!!!

Isn’t Tego beautiful? They are both so well cared for!

I love little Lala and I know she is in great hands now. All the pain and sadness of rescuing sick abandoned animals becomes worthwhile when we see adoptions like this take place. I’m so blessed! And thanks Mark and Sandy for donating to our continued rescue efforts. You guys are tops! My hope is that more families like yours become willing to adopt from rescue groups and shelters. Defenseless animals need us – they can’t speak for themselves.

To all – Please don’t forget to adopt the adoptable and donate when you can:)

Blessings – Thanks for reading!

Thanks again Sandy and Mark!

Xx Adri

It wasn’t my intention to start the day with a day long cruelty investigation. It never is. But that’s the way it turned out. We were able to remove these 2 little dogs, a Silver and a Maltese mix from horrible conditions (I can’t go into it because there is an open cruelty investigation)where they were not given food or water for days and they lived in fetid conditions.

This little thing has such a bad skin infection that it will be shaved in order to care for it’s skin.

It’s a miracle that there is no heart worm but they are infested with all the other parasites on earth.

Here, they are being checked by Dr. Casta and will be held at his office till they have been treated. Then they will come home with me till they can be put up for adoption.

Yesterday’s Trip:

Dogs flew to St. Hubert’s yesterday and I miss mine already today. We sent 13 dogs because the wonderful Dra. Myrna Casas flew them to New York. Since American Airlines took away direct flights to NJ from PR and visa versa in September, St. Hubert’s sent their ACO, Chuck to pick the doglets up from Kennedy where they fly direct.

My precious Rafi with the broken arm went so that they could give him orthopedic treatment and hopefully restore the use of his leg.

Babies Fey and Plato went.

My Chichito went – I missed him so much when I got up this morning and didn’t see his beautiful face. They’re all at St. Huberts now waiting for great families to adopt them.

But I get so attached to them. Each time I bring a rescue into my home and shower love and attention on them, I know they are becoming good pets and that’s what counts. They are having an opportunity to feel what it’s like to just be a dog and be cared for properly.

If you would like to donate directly to lower our very high vet bill with Dr. Ramos, you may do so in a couple ways. If you would like to make a credit card payment, you may call his office at 787-781-5187 and give them the card number and payment over the phone. You may also send a check to Clinica Veterinaria De Diego, Urb. Puerto Nuevo, 619 Ave. De Diego, San Juan, PR 00920. In both cases, please specify that you are making a payment to lower Adri’s Amigos de los Animales rescue account.

God Bless and thanks for reading!

Adri

This is my special boy Dino. I found him about 2 months ago, skinny, tired and hot under the relentless sun at Pueblo Supermarket in Isla Verde – a supposedly expensive and “High Falutin” area close to the beach in San Juan. That’s where he was dumped. If I even raised my hand to talk near him, he would squint and put his head down as if he was going to be beaten. This poor boy is roughly 4 years old and has lived a life of pain, beatings and sadness and finally was just thrown away like a piece of trash. He’s been provided little to no food and no love, and yet this awesome boy has a spirit like an old wise sage. He is loving and submissive and will let puppies take his food without question. I just love Dino. He was already neutered when I found him (strange but it seems as though at some time in his life, maybe when he was a pup, he knew love and caring) and he is completely housebroken. Now he even comes to his name “Dino come on boy. Come here. Good boy, I love you boy.” He’s so smart and his gaze is very revealing.

This shot was taken more than a month ago when I took him to Dr. Casta’s office for a checkup. He still looked so sad and depressed. It was a miracle he didn’t have heart worm.

Here at home with the other dogs, Dino is finally experiencing what it’s like to just be a dog, be fed, loved on, play with the others and not be abused. I’ve noticed him standing taller now and the other dogs really like him. He’s so calm.

Now look at Dino. He is finally feeling like a happy dog.

Dino will make any home richer and more loving. He is low maintenance and just wants to love and be loved. You might have to take it a little slow with him in the beginning till he understands that you mean him no harm, but once he gets it, he’ll be a happy member of your family. He even walks well with a leash.

I’m so blessed to have been a part of Dino’s life. Here he is conferring with the other dogs in the pack. He gets along well with everyone. When I temperament tested him, he didn’t even know what a chewy rawhide was so he just let it drop. Now he loves them! I think Dino will be happy in a home with at least one other dog and with someone who is real tender with him. Dino weighs about 44 lbs. and should still gain about 3 to 5 more pounds.

Don’t forget to check my blog for other adoptable pets that I am fostering. Still have Mimo the Pompom with me and he’s a little cream puff. He’s just been neutered so hopefully he will be easier to house train. He weighs all of 10 lbs., is about 2 yrs. old, a very sweet, affectionate and playful little boy.

Other good news:

Little Blue, the English Cocker mix that Frances rescued, was found to be aggressive and scared when taken away from his environment. Frances’ parents were fostering him and when we took him to Dr. Ramos for his check up. He started snapping and biting. We understood that he was not adoptable just when someone had expressed an interest in adopting him. Well, it is my joy to let you all know that Frances’ parents have decided to make Blue a forever member of their family and now he won’t have to go through any more stress. I will not adopt an animal which bites and I know that none of our members will either. Normally an animal that is aggressive must be euthanized but in this case, Frances’ parents came to Blue’s rescue. So all is well in Blue’s world!

Please contact me if you would like to find out if one of our adoptable pets is still available. My email address is amigosdelosanimalespr@gmail.com

Don’t forget to adopt the adoptable and donate when you can.

Blessings and Thanks for Reading!! Xx Adri