WHAT IS THE MEANING OF “SALADO?”

RINCON DEL PUERTO

To get to the colonia of Rincon del Puerto (“corner of the port”), one drives north from central Puerto Vallarta, passing the airport and turning east on the road that leads to the large bus terminal. The bumpy road soon turns into a curving, smooth paved one with palms planted in the median. When I saw the convention center at the end of this perfect road, I uttered a soft “wow.”

Modern and jazzy with the same kinds of “sails” one sees on the malecón and on the newish pier, the convention center was built at the reported cost of $43 million USD , occupies 42 acres of land and has 105,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space. It is adjacent to “Estero Salado” (“very salty estuary”), a fenced-in and protected ecological area. A small river with mangroves, which I didn´t see, may be the reason for calling the area “salado.” The slang meaning for this Spanish word is “unfortunate,” an apt word for some of the conditions a few minutes walk from the convention center.

CASAS “SALADAS” IN COLONIA BUMGAMILAS, A SHORT WALK FROM CONVENTION CENTER

The clinic took place in the apartment building named “Salado” building in a complex containing 1,200 units. In the center is a small, dusty park with a few scattered orange and white iron benches, three swings, a couple of seesaws and a jungle gym. Although 26 cats and dogs were sterilized on our first day, Thursday was quiet. Only 12 animals had been brought in by 10:30. After a woman arrived with four beautiful ten-week old rescued kittens whose mother had been poisoned, I took a short drive down the dirt road in front of the apartment complex, hoping to bring back some cats and dogs to the clinic.

DR. POLI SPAYING THE CALICO KITTEN

3 MALES PLUS 1 CALICO UNDERNEATH TOWEL

In two minutes time, I was in colonia Bugambilias, and there was some bougainvillea.

PARK IN COLONIA BUGAMBILIAS

Walking from door to door advising of the clinic, I saw homes built with wooden planks, corrugated metal and pieces of tin with old sheets or torn pieces of cloth for doors. A naked young boy who needed a bath peered out of the old sheeted doorway. Two pretty young sisters played with a broom, banging the end of it across their front door, which was chained shut. A weathered old man invited me into his home to search for this cat and newly born kittens. It was one small, immaculate room built with boards and had a dirt floor. The single bed was perfectly made and all his clothing and possessions were neatly stacked in a corner next to what looked like an hibachi.

BABY´S ROOM IN HUMBLE HOME

The women I spoke with unanimously said they had to ask their husbands if their pets could be sterilized. After I told a friendly man that we were offering “servicio completo,” he asked if we could cut off his dogs ears. On the front of a cement house, a sweet plaque that reads:

“In a place where there is faith, there is love. Where there is love there is peace. Whee there is peace there is God. Where God is, nothing is lacking.”

STERILIZATIONS: Rincon del Puerto – May 7-10 – Male dogs – 16; Female dogs – 28; Male cats – 20; Female cats – 19 TOTAL: 83

This clinic was sponsored by a generous donation of $1,500 USD from Malka Sekey and her husband Steve Oseas, who live in Portland. They have demonstrated their love for the animals in Mexico in many different ways.

DONATIONS at clinic: 1,540 pesos

DONATIONS: Villas Universidad clinic – April 3-May 3 – 1,540 pesos

PEACEANIMALS EDUCATION DIRECTOR: Marianna Verdejo, an excellent dog trainer, visited two schools in the are of Rincon del Puerto. She will be giving presentations regarding care of pets and wildlife to classrooms in all colonias in the area of the Bay of Banderas where PEACEAnimals holds clinics.

RIDES FOR RESCUE DOGS NEEDED: For Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. Expenses for dogs paid for. Please contact [email protected] if you can help.

FOR ADOPTION AT THE ACOPIO

HOMES NEEDED: For thousands of cats living on the streets and dozens of healthy and beautiful dogs and cats at the Centro de Acopio, the city´s no-kill pound. Open Monday-Saturday from 8 AM-2 PM. 293-3690. The Acopio is now holding adoptions every Saturday from 11 AM-2 PM at Plaza Caracol (back end of building near McDonald´s entrance). Sadly, there were no adoptions at all of cats or dogs this last Saturday. Please consider adopting a pet from the Acopio.

PLEASE CLICK! Your daily clicks or direct donations help animals, people and the planet. www.greatergood.org; www.greatergood.com To donate to PEACEAnimals clinics, please click on this link. http://bit.ly/1cWY0lP

MISCELLANEOUS DONATIONS: 500 pesos from Barbara Drucker and her husband Louis Drake for “Cleo,” the little brown rescue puppy recovering at Dr. Peña´s.

Five large orthopedic dog mats/beds for LADRA (“BARK”), Brischa and Ted Borchgrevink´s dog boarding and sanctuary – from Malka Sekey and Steve Oseas.

Dr. Peña -three sterilizations of cats or dogs animals a month, or five they are small. Animals must be rescues or owned by people unable to pay. PEACEAnimals card signed by Paulina Stettner or me must be shown. Dr. Peña´s regular spay/neuter cost is 800 pesos.

ZORRA WITH SANDIE AT EDMONTON AIRPORT

ADOPTIONS: “Zorra,” the sweet female German Shepherd mix rescued and fostered by Elizabeth Reeder in Boca de Tomatlán. After surgery for a broken leg and four months later, Bonnie Gray escorted “Zorra,” to Calgary thanks to NOBARS. Sandie Blackford, who had seen Zorra´s photo, drove three hours from Edmonton to pick up Zorra at the airport. After a long wait, happy ending.

“MUÑECA”

RESCUED: A scared, small little brown and white female dog found in the jungle by Jeff Jackson, Maurice Monet and Casey Lupton. She has been named “Muñeca” (“Doll”), and if not claimed, she has a home waiting for her.

VOLUNTEER WITH TRANQUILIZED DOG AT COLONIA RINCÓN DEL PUERTO

PEACE ANIMALS CLINICS OPEN at 9 AM Wednesday to Saturday, which is half-day only. Arrive early. No food or water after midnight before surgery day. Animals must be at least 8 weeks old. They will be treated for parasites, fleas, ticks and mange, if it is present. Pregnancies terminated on request. Euthanasia performed if animal critically ill or injured. All services are free.

CLINIC SCHEDULE:

MAY 14-17 –COLONIA ARALIAS . Pavo Real #181 between ave. Canario y ave. las Torres

Calle Pavo Real between Ave. Canario y Ave. las Torres in Colonia Aralias.
ACROSS FROM PARQUE LOS SAUCES en la bodega de Sofia Gonzalez Neri (between Costco and Centro de Acopio)

WAITING FOR SURGERY AT RINCON DEL PUERTO CLINIC

REMAINDER OF MAY- Puerto Vallarta – TBA
JUNE 11-14 – SAN PANCHO (Pets for Life)
REMAINDER OF JUNE AND ALL SUMMER – PUERTO VALLARTA

SIX VOLUNTEERS AT RINCON DEL PUERTO!

VOLUNTEERS: PLEASE SIGN UP WITH PAULINA STETTNER. WE NEED YOUR HELP! [email protected]

REGINIA FANNING HERSELF. IT´S HOT!!

Schedule, inc. directions and other miscellaneous information are always on website: www.peaceanimals.org

RINCÓN DEL PUERTO CLINIC

PEACEANIMALS HAS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE STATUS IN THE U.S. AND CANADA. Re Canadian donations: NOBARS, a Canadian-based dog rescue organization, is able to process donations to PEACEAnimals without taking a commission. Please contact: [email protected] or visit our website: www.peaceanimals.org

DR. ANTONY SPAYING A CHIHUAHUA

COST FOR ONE SURGERY WEEK CLINIC WAS $1,500 USD THIS PAST YEAR AND IS CURRENTLY BEING REVISED DUE TO SALARY INCREASES AND INCREASE IN COSTS OF SUPPLIES.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: