NEWS and EVENTS

Santuario News: Fond Memories of Felix Paws for Love Helps An Exodus News Flash, El Refugio
SBPA News: 2008/2009 Calendar On Sale Great Chili, Great Dog Chili Cookoff, 2008
The Archives: Links to more Articles, News Archives, Funnybones, Gallery, and Rhymes

SBPA News: 2008/2009 Charity Calendar Goes on Sale

by Gwen Bouschor
26 August, 2008

Secure your copy of this unique calendar. It's filled with pictures of this year's lucky animal rescues. Copies will fly off the shelves.

Contact Gwen, or any SBPA board member, to get your calendar.

This year's calendar features George at his finest. He was rescued from outside a chicken restaurant where he was hoping to score a dinner of bones. Instead, rocks were thrown at him and his four litter mates. A rescue ensued, and all were comfortably ensconced in the Sanctuary.

George is very gregarious and would like a home of his own where he can hold center stage all day long. He is approximately 5-years old.

SBPA is very grateful for the contributions of the donors listed below. They have made the publication of this year's calendar possible.

◊ 2nd year donors, ◊◊ 3rd year donors, ◊◊◊ 4th year donors,
⊕ 5th year donors, ⊕⊕ 6th year donors, ⊕⊕⊕ 7th year donors

Santuario News: Fond Memories of Felix

by Gwen Bouschor
2 July, 2008

Photo Vivasancarlos.com

Last Friday, June 27th, the SBPA lost a very dear friend. Felix Dietiker passed away as a result of an accident. He was a kind, loving and gentle man who will remain in our hearts, forever.

Stepping forward without waiting to be asked, whether the situation involved animals or humans, Felix was always there with a smile, asking, "How can I help you?" Felix assisted with SBPA's neuter/spay clinics held in La Manga and in the Ranchitos, but his assistance didn't end when the clinic doors closed. When puppies and their abandoned moms were found, Felix stepped up and fostered them until they were adopted out ... not just once, but many times, asking nothing in return.

Felix was one of a kind. We will miss him very much, not just for his many selfless deeds but for the loving kindness he spread among those he touched. He touched many a lost animal. Those animals were able to move on to loving homes because of the human contact, care and socialization skills he gave them. Due to his tender handling, many animals were saved from life in the streets.

Thank you, Felix, from all of us who are closely involved with making life better for animals and humans. We remember you fondly.

Santuario News: Paws for Love Helps Santuario Kittens

by Gwen Bouschor
15 May, 2008

Denise from the wonderful group Paws For Love Cat Rescue has taken six of Santuario's kittens to their facility in Surprise Arizona. Denise's plan is to help the kitties find forever homes. Of the six, five are litter mates. The odd-ball is "Survivor Man."

If ever a kitty earned the right to enjoy the comforts of a loving, forever home, here he is! This tenacious little guy was found in the desert, where he earned his name at a young and tender age.

We're hoping that he and his five cohorts will have a great chance to find nurturing families with the help of Denise's organization in Arizona.

Thank-you so much, Denise!

Paws for Love's contact info is:

17666 W. Cavedale Dr.
Surprise, AZ 85387
(623) 692-3543
OR, email Denise

Santuario News: Calamity Strikes El Refugio

by Gwen Bouschor
13 April, 2008

Easter came and went in the town of San Carlos. This is a disastrous time for the desert dogs of El Refugio. With the tremendous influx of humanity comes the traffic, the noise, and the four wheelers that roar through the usually quiet desert areas.

The holiday also seems to bring out the worst in people, at least as far as the desert dogs are concerned. They're pelted with beer cans and rocks, and become the target of the pick ups that try to run them down. Their feeding stations are vandalized; many of the desert dogs are not able to get to their food and water supply. Some are so traumatized they run for the mountains. Unfortunately, the dog packs in the mountains are large and vicious - the gentle desert dogs don't stand a chance.

Easter week devestated the Dos Esquinas Gang, one of the Refugio packs, led by Golden Boy. Golden Boy disappeared, then returned to the feeding site two weeks after Easter. His face was cut, his eye damaged and his leg hurt.

Before Easter, one of the packs enjoying a bag of food

Golden Boy was doctored and is on the mend, but beautiful Alvin, the last of the black pups, was found dead at the feeding site. Alvin's mom, along with her small pups, hasn't reappeared at all. We fear the worst for her. She would not have been able to defend herself and her new pups out in the chaos of the holiday desert.

Alvin's mom was a gentle soul. Her brother, the magnificent Hot Dog Man, also disappeared during this stressful time. Our hope is that he escaped to a quieter area and will eventually return. That's what has happened to the Dark Mother. She reappeared, but with shoulders slashed and cuts all over her body. She has one small pup with her, a beautiful red, who prances along behind her.

Sulu, from the other pack, has moved in with the Dos Esquinas. She is very fearful. The trust built up over the years through human contact at the feeding station has been erased. It will take some time to win her back.

The two spotted pups are also gone. We just had them spayed not long ago. They were beautiful, very vocal and happy pups.

In better times, Gwen and Oscar at a feeding station

The Hole in the Fence Gang, led by Gentle Oskar, has been torn apart. Oskar is gone, along with Lulu, Lucy, and the small brown mom. Mom brought her four pups to the feeding site right before Easter. I had hoped to pick them up, but now I feel all are lost.

Effie, Luna and little Colamoche are all that is left of this magnificent pack, the Hole in the Fence Gang. They are too young to defend themselves and don't stand much of a chance without the protection of a pack. Hopefully, we can pick them up. We simply do not have a place, yet, for them to go.

I am hopeful that more of these beautiful desert dogs will find their way back. Perhaps they made it to the mountains, but the big dog packs there are a big threat, far too vicious.

We had hoped to make a refuge for the gentle dog packs of the desert, to protect them from humans and to keep them healthy. We will continue to put out the food and water for them, and we will continue to hope.

Santuario News: An Exodus - with a Promise for a Better Tomorrow

by Gwen Bouschor
3 April, 2008

Santuario has been experiencing a crisis. Best Friends wrote a concerned article about our problems, and many wonderful people answered our call for help.

One of the helping hands was coincidentally offered by Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, themselves. Located in Kanab, Utah, they magically found new locations for a contingent of our Sanctuary cats ... and so the kitties and I set out on a long journey northward to a new life.

With passports in paw, bikini's and sunscreen packed for a new place in the California sun, the group of travelers was readied. Thanks to the herculean efforts of Barb, Eileen, Debbie and Michele, cages were set, cats were loaded and soon we were all out on the highway, truckin' our way to San Diego, and maybe a better chance at forever homes.

Gwen's side note on Casa de los Gatos...

Casa de los Gatos, founded and operated by Beth Montes, is a no-kill organization that lives up to its name. I would highly recommend this service group. They are well organized, highly considerate of the animals' needs, and you can feel the love they have for their furry clients.

...And Hope Animal Shelter

Just recently, Casa de los Gatos merged with Hope Animal Shelter. Hope Shelter, if you remember, was the first organization to step in and take some of Santuario's displaced cats. They were the ones who started the ball rolling, another open-hearted, loving group of volunteers. Thank you Susan Sherl! We are so appreciative of these groups opening their hearts and places to their friends from the South.

We overnighted in Tucson and enjoyed a nice rest - and the travelers were also tested for FIV and FELV, tests donated by IDEXX Labs and performed by Dr. Ed Kiesel and his wonderful tech, Mary, of Camino Seco Pet Clinic. Dr. Kiesel's a long-time SBPA Services, Inc. supporter who has donated many hours of pro bono service helping the SBPA and the Santuario.

Tucson night accommodations were generously provided by Casa de los Gatos. Barbara, a loving volunteer, set out a spread that no cat could refuse: food, litter pans and toys, toys, toys. The cats had a great time exploring the house and playing. They especially liked the meat, a rare luxury at the Sanctuary. La Casa was kitty heaven for our wandering felines, human attention and treats, too.

Back on the road the next day, it was noisy. No one could seem to sing in unison, but at least no one asking, "Are we there yet?" and no one asked for potty breaks, either (except the driver).

Nourished with French fries and coffee, I managed to negotiate California freeways with only a few stumbles, and we all arrived safely at the San Diego home of Jennifer Bergovoy. Jennifer is a lady with a very big heart and lots of love for animals. She volunteers with The Cat Adoption Society.

We unloaded cage after cage of travel-weary cats into Jennifer's large garage, which had been converted into its own version of a sanctuary, with the help of her son, Alex. He loves cats and moved right in to give the love that only a child can offer, totally unconditional; a very giving boy.

As soon as they were free of the truck, some of the travelers were ready to explore, but some just wanted to do the California mellow-out thing, waiting until they were sure nothing was still moving.

Safely in California, some of these cats already have new forever homes lined up. Jennifer will act as caregiver to see that they're picked up by their new owners. She will also ensure the orphans who have no homes, yet, are place in shelters. Let's hope they, too, can find families of their own.

For me, leaving San Diego was difficult. Many of those cats had been Santuario residents their whole lives, and I've been very attached. My return trip was quiet and uneventful ... and filled with a beautiful sadness. Knowing some of my charges would have their own special home and person was a wonderful feeling, but knowing I wouldn't see them again was very difficult. To fill the gap, Jennifer has been keeping me apprised of their new lives.

Due to the kindness of so many giving people, Santuario is looking forward to sending a few more cats to San Diego.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Sharon of Best Friends who wrote the article that got the ball rolling; to Pat Prior who organized the move; and to Medha Isaacs who picked up the baton and made this trip a reality. Thank you, Medha, for the donated IDEXX tests, for the truck rental, and for what you are still doing to help the rest of the cats find a place in a paradise.

Deep appreciation, also, to Christina C. Deming for her ani-motions of Tita Khalo and Angel.

Thank you to those who adopted, to those who sent prayers and well wishes, and to you who sent donations that helped fund this trip. I am so grateful to all of you. Santuario has been blessed with many friends.

Please don't forget us. Things may not always move timely here, but that has been to our advantage. For those of you who donated, your 501(c)(3) letter is forthcoming. Please be patient as I am my own staff!

What Next?

Santuario still has a ways to go to solve our problems. We still have many loving and healthy cats to relocate, wonderful cats just waiting for that right person to love. We also have many cats that we refer to as frail felines. They are not in the very best of health, some are older and just need their place in the sun, or a soft lap to lie in, and someone to love them. Could you be that person?

Santuario is located in a country that is slowly coming to realize that cats are a definite part of the community, that pets must be provided for and not just tossed out because they're no longer cute and cuddly. Please remember, Santuario residents are true rescue cats. They didn't have great beginnings, and some still show the after-effects of poor diet, or no diet at all. Many mama-cats died of starvation and left behind sick babies. Some didn't make it. The ones that did survive still show some signs of that early neglect and abandonment, but these cats are very loving and in need of forever homes. Their future is uncertain. Though some are not in the best of health, according to standards we are accustomed too, all are deserving of a better life.

For more information about how you can help, Email Santuario; OR call Gwen in San Carlos at 226-1460 or (Vonage - US#) 520-225-0212

Santuario News: El Refugio News Flash

27 November, 2007

El Refugio has suffered another loss. Calvin, Elvira and Edwina have disappeared from the desert feeding station. Alvin is the only pup left and he is running close to his mom. We think coyotes. How very sad. They were so payful and enjoying their lives - all looking healthy and sleek, and becoming friendlier.

El Refugio survivors need your help. Although the El Refugio clan is more tolerant of women and very suspicious of men and children due to the abuse they've suffered, all interested volunteers are welcome to pitch in. Gwen says, "El Refugio needs help to carry food and get the pups used to other people, not just myself."

"They are a delight, lying in the grass, taking the sun when their bellies are full. They dance around in anticipation while the food is being mixed, and always hunt through the food for the goodies first, just like little kids looking for the prize in a box of cereal!"

For more information about El Refugio and how you can help, Email Santuario; OR call Gwen in San Carlos at 226-1460 or (Vonage - US#) 520-225-0212

Santuario News: Think before You Drop an Animal

28 October, 2007

SBPA News

SBPA News: Great Chili, Great Dog

March, 2008

Maya

Maya, the Chili Cookoff Adoption Dog, is between one and two years old. She is spayed and has had her shots and is also leash trained, housebroken and very sweet. She's very smart and learns quickly. She is a calm, tranquil dog and will be very loyal. She follows on her foster father's heel wherever he goes. She has responded remarkably to all the affection from her foster parents and neighbors.

The winning cooks, the Polk Family

In other Chili news, the day was a huge, gigantic success. People had a great time, the chili was remarkable, as was the music, and money was donated to support the SBPA Spay and Neuter Clinic. What could possibly be better than that!?

The winning decorators

The Phil Polk Family was voted best cooks, and Arlene Stuhr and Dolores Ray were chosen the best decorators. Photos of this outstanding day were graciously provided by Alex at Viva San Carlos.

Charity Chili Cookoff 2008

by Karyn Furry, February, 2008

Sunday, March 2nd is the date of the 2008 Chili Cookoff. Bring your appetite to this fun-packed event. Please email SBPA AC for further information about this fun, and worthwhile event that supports the SBPA FREE Spay/Neuter Clinic.

Attached is a description of the cookoff fun and the cookoff rules.

Links to Articles, Newsletter Archives, Funnies, Pictures, and Poems

ARTICLES
    Who Is Responsible?   opinion by president Jacqui Percious
    Spay/Neuter Information   by the Humane Society of the United States

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
    Summer & Winter, 2007 News
    March News
    April News
    May News

FUNNYBONES

GALLERY - PIX
    Philosophies to Live By
    Strange (Fun) Animal Shots

RHYMES