Wednesday, December 13, 2017

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

LA IGLESA DE NESTRA SENÓRA DE GUADALUPE


THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS begins December 1st just before daybreak with the raucous, joyful ringing and clanging of church bells.  It is the beginning of the "peregrinaciónes" ("pilgrimages"), which are often a journey to a shrine or important location of someone´s faith.  Sometimes they are that, plus a celebration and festival.
For twelve days, barefoot "Aztecs" in glittering sequined costumes and "colonial" Mexicans in colorful Oaxacan full, embroidered, lace-trimmed skirts and embroidered blouses stamp and twirl their way the eleven blocks from the popular Woolworth store on Juarez street to the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  In this carnival-like atmosphere, dancers are joined by "pilgrims" carrying lighted candles singing "La Guadalupana,"


groups of mariachis singing and playing trumpets, guitars and violins.  There are also marching bands with tinny horns, rat-a-tatting, rolling drums and umpapa tubas... and "floats."

Both sides of all the side streets are filled with food stands selling homemade tacos, tamales, tostadas, quesadillas, burritos, cakes, pies, crepes, etc. At the plaza in front of the church, tented "kitchens" with tables and chairs set up outside were selling much of the same.

Early in the morning on December 12th, stars were still bright in the dark sky before the bells began to clamor their loudest and longest of the days of the peregrinaciónes. 
EN LA MAÑANITA EL 12 DE DICIEMBRE
MÁS TARDE EN LA MAÑANA - CALLE JUAREZ EL 12 DE DICIEMBRE
By late morning,  the eleven blocks of Juarez street are completely filled with "pilgrims" carrying offerings of food and flowers to leave at the church. 
These gifts to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the "Mother of México", are distributed to the poor and needy.

ORCA!!!  On December 10th, our little panga group had the extraordinary experience of seeing an orca (and maybe we saw a second one) in the wild.  Far out in the middle of the Bay of Banderas we had stopped for a swim.  Swimming in the bay feels different in deep water.  One is more aware of currents and changes in temperatures at different depths in the water.  And one senses there could be more surprises.  Back in the panga, we saw a large dorsal fin quickly approaching us. A communal yelp was let out.  ORCA!!!  A large orca sped towards us, passing close to Carmen´s feet that she was dangling in the water.  For several minutes the curious and solitary orca, which Karla identified as a female,  swam around and under the panga, inches way from us.  The boat would tip to one side and then the other as the group moved back and forth to observe her.  And then the orca powered fast away, leaving us with feelings of awe and appreciation for this completely unexpected encounter.



PHOTO OF CARMEN DE ALBA´S FOOT AND ORCA TAKEN BY CARMEN!

This blog does not normally report on the Pets for Life team with which PEACEAnimals has a work agreement.  Pets For Life is a business (Mexican SC) versus PEACEAnimals, which is a charity (Mexican AC and U.S. 503 (c)(3)).   The more clinics Pets for Life can schedule, the less money we need to raise.  Because of the Pets for Life schedule and Christmas break, PEACEAnimals has no clinics until the first week of January.
HANGING BRIDGE FROM AQUILES SERDÁN STREET TO THE CULTURAL CENTER ON THE ISLA CUALE
PUENTE COLGANDO DE LA CALLED AQUILES SERDÁN HASTA EL CENTRO DE CULTURA.

I stopped by the Pets For Life (first Sunday every month) clinic at the cultural center on the Isla Cuale on December 3rd.  One hundred and four cats and dogs had been registered by 9 AM.  Santa Elena had brought twenty-seven of them.  Co-organizer of the island clinics, Shannon Beston, was holding what she said was a "very heavy baby" while the daddy was putting his large black- and -white rescue dog into a kennel.  He returned for the baby right away and his dog a few hours later.  Final count for clinic:  102 cats and dogs sterilized.  This clinic was sponsored by the SPCAPV.
SHANNON BESTON - CO-ORGANIZADORA DE LAS CLÍNICAS EN EL CENTRO DE CULTURA - ISLA CUALE  ELLA ESTABA AYUDANO CON "EL BEBÉ PESADO" MIENTRES SU PAPÁ ESTABA PONIENDO SU PERRA EN UNA HAULA.



STERILIZATIONS AT PETS FOR LIFE CLINIC DECEMBER 3RD ON THE ISLA CUALE:  Final tally - 102 cats and dogs


BEAUTIFUL MALE PIT BULL WAITING FOR SURGERY - HERMOSO PIT BULL ESPERANDO ESTERILIZACIÓN  ISLA CUALE - 3 DE DICIEMBRE

CALLE CERO - national spay/neuter campaign.  Unofficial count was 250 cats and dogs sterilized at their two-day clinic in San Vicente, Nayarit.  There is a close family connection between the founder of Calle Cero and  the owner of Vallarta Adventures, which helps so many animals in the area of Banderas Bay. 
CALLE CERO - CLÍNICA EL 9 DE DICIEMBRE EN SAN VICENTE,NAYARIT
VALLARTA ADVENTURES´ donations to animals include monthly food for cats and dogs at the centro de acopio (no-kill pound in Vallarta), daily food for dozens of street dogs in Mezcalitos (town located between Nuevo Vallarta and Mezcales) and seven annual monthly donations of medicines and vet supplies to PEACEAnimals.  Vallarta Adventures also collaborates with Circo de los Niños, Save the Vaquita Project and is a founding member of Bahía Unida, funding the environmental department for the protection of Banderas Bay.  Responsibilities of that department include rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing marine mammals. 


FOR THE HOLIDAYS - OR ANY DAYS:

BOCA DIVERS:  For a day or half-day on the Bay of Banderas - snorkeling - free diving - scuba diving - swimming - visiting remote beaches or simply enjoying the beauty of the bay with a good chance (but no guarantee) of seeing dolphins, mantas, turtles, and/or whales.  Karla de la Peña, dive master and owner of this great little PADI dive shop, is a gem.  She is personable, knowledgeable, experienced and has a great love and respect for the planet and the creatures that inhabit it. Calle Pelicanos 518, Boca de Tomatlán -  Phone01 322 228 0713   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNKOIM59f_M&feature=youtu.be
KARLA DE LA PEÑA - BOCA DIVERS Y AYUDAMUTT
Karla is also co-founder of AyudaMutt, a dog rescue group in Boca de Tomatlán.


HEALING HANDS - Excellent  (legitimate) massages, mani, pedi, reflexology at a simple, clean location in Centro with lovely staff.  Very fair prices, all cash.   Bliss!   Pipila 240 (almost catty-corner from Pipi´s restaurant - but not at the corner, which is another massage business).  222-8441
CANDI, MASAJISTA  (MASSEUSE) Y DUEÑA (OWNER)  DE HEALING HANDS

ALFARÍA JALISCO - A large, very typical Mexican store in back of the San Miguel Arcángel church in the nearby municipality of Pitillal.  The parking lot across the street from the church makes this a very easy location to get to.  The store is a bit like going on a treasure hunt: It´s filled with handmade pottery...baskets...wood toys...creche scenes and stocking stuffers for Christmas.  Calle (street) Hidalgo #184




DONATIONS TO PEACEANIMALS:

Vallarta Adventures- 10,000 pesos worth of medical supplies (monthly donation November-May).


NOTE:  Sterilization cost per cat or dog for PEACEAnimals is approximately $11.35 USD.  Monthly donations in any amount would be a big help to the clinics.  Automatic bank payments are easy to set up via the internet.  Monthly checks also appreciated.  Please consider.


ESPERANDO ESTERILIZACIÓN - CLÍNICA EN LA ISLA CUALE


The mission of PEACEAnimals is to end the future suffering of cats and dogs.  The most efficient way to do this is via a massive, free spay/neuter clinic.  In 2016, PEACEAnimals sterilized 5,403 cats and dogs.

RESCUED- A white, male German Shepherd mix approximately 11 months old - in Boca de Tomatlán by Karla de la Peña.  "Loup" had been following a dog in heat when hit by a car.  After surgery for a broken femur and being neutered, Trisha Aljoe, PEACEAnimals board member, agreed to foster this very pretty, sweet dog that needs a home. Contact her via FB if interested.


"LOUP" - RESCATADO DESPUÉS DE ESTAR ATROPEADO EN BOCA- FÉMUR QUEBRADO Y OPERADO. VA ESTAR EN ACOPCIÓN DESPUÉS DE 45 DÍAS DE RECUPERACIÓN.  CONTACTO:  TRISHA ALJOE POR FB.



FOR PHOTOS/NAMES OF RESCUED DOGS THAT NEED HOMES, THE ACOPIO HAS A CURRENT ROSTER THAT INCLUDES PHOTOS, NAMES DESCRIPTIONS.

PARA FOTOS,/NOMBRES Y INFORMACIÓN DE LOS PERROS EN EL CENTRO DE ACOPIO QUE NECESITAN HOGARES:


LESLIE CARATACHEA - CLÍNICA EN LA ISLA CUALE DE PETS FOR LIFE



RAISING FUNDS AND VISIBILITY:  Three hundred PEACEAnimals blue mesh shopping/beach bags with,extra-long straps are now available. The PEACEAnimals logo and website are on one side and the familiar mermaid on the other.  Bags are 200 pesos each and  can be purchased at:
BOLSAS DE PEACEANIMALS EN VENTA

Lucy´s CuCu Cabana -295 Basilio Badillo (AFTER OCTOBER 25TH)

Choco Museo - Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez 128 in centro (across from the malecón)

Galeria Uno - 561 Morelos

Colleción la Bohemia  -  Constitución and Basilio Badillo

Cork & Bottle - Los Mercados - Aquiles Serdan 265

Charlie's Sport Fishing and Tours- Local 8B -Marina Vallarta

Galeria Dante - 269 Basilio Badillo 

La Cruz Inn - at the plaza in la Cruz, Nayarit

Macaria- Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez 129, between Morelos and the malecón.   

Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens (gift shop)

Salon Divas-  Melchor Ocampo 51 - Bucerias


DONATE WITHOUT SPENDING MONEY:  PEACEAnimals is able to receive donations from Amazon Smile under the umbrella of Banderas Bay Charities, Inc. Amazon donates 0.5% of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organizations selected by their customers.  This is a very simple way to help fund our clinics:    https://smile.amazon.com/ch/47-4752247  Even simpler, long on to www.amazonsmile.com and type in Banderas Bay Charities, Inc. (PEACEAnimals receives all of these donations).

Troy Valens -  Owner of Sea Monkey and Cheeky Monkey restaurants - $10  USD gift certificates to Sea Monkey and Cheeky Monkey for "sharing" AmazonSmile post.



GREATERGOOD - PLEASE CLICK!  Your daily clicks or direct donations help animals, people and the planet. www.greatergood.orgwww.greatergood.com   To donate specifically to PEACEAnimals:  http://bit.ly/1cWY0lP


PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE, FB PAGE OR BLOG FOR NEW DATES AND LOCATIONS.FAVOR DE CHECAR NUESTRO WEBSITE, PÁGINA EN FB O BLOG PARA NUEVAS FECHAS Y HOGARES.  


CLÍNICA EN LA ISLA CUALE - 3 DE DICIEMBRE



SCHEDULE/HORARIO:




December 13-16 - Bucerias, Nayarit- Bi-lingual Center - Pets for Life

VACACIÓNES/CHRISTMAS VACATION

January 3-6 - Parque los Coyules - Calle los Coyules- esquina Calle la Capilla - Barrio Santa María, Puerto Vallarta
January 10-13 - El Porvenir, Nayarit
January 17-20 - Puerto Vallarta - TBA
January 24-27 - San Blas, Nayarit - PETS FOR LIFE 
February

February 14-17 - el Tuito
March - Tomatlán, Cabo Corrientes
March 26-April 2 - Easter break
April
May
June - Volcanes



DESIGNATED LINE WITH RECORDING ADVISING LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS – ONLY IN SPANISH –
 (322) 113 3955

CUENTO DE ANIMALITOS EL 3 DE DICIEMBRE EN LA ISLA CUALE -ANIMAL COUNT FOR ISLA CUALE CLINIC - LETTERS INDICATE THE FOLLOWING:
GM=GATO MACHO/MALE CAT; GH= GATA HEMBRA/FEMALE CAT; PM = PERRO MACHO/MALE DOG; PH= PERRA HEMBRA/FEMALE DOG 


TO REPORT ANIMAL ABUSE, CALL THE CENTRO DE ACOPIO - 322-223-3690 OR THE POLICE - 911 -  AND ASK FOR THE "GREEN PATROL" ("PATROLLA VERDE")

  

PETS FOR LIFE  SPECIAL  ONE-DAY CLINICS ARE HELD ON THE ISLA CUALE THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH.   CLINICS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION AT 7 AM.  
     
PETS FOR LIFE, A MEXICAN S.C. (BUSINESS),  IS PAID 4,500 PESOS FOR THE STERILIZATION OF 30 ANIMALS.  IF NUMBERS ARE GREATER,  INDIVIDUALS OR ANIMAL RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE.  
For each cat or dog over the number 30,  sponsors of the Sunday clinics will be charged 150 pesos.  To sponsor a Sunday clinic, please contact: shannon@bestonproperties.com
PETS FOR LIFE CLINIC - CENTRO DE CULTURA - ISLA CUALE - 3 DE DICIEMBRE


   PETS FOR LIFE ISLA CUALE CLINICS:

December - sponsored by the SPCAPV
January - sterilization of 30 animals sponsored by Steve Stowell
February - anonymous donor - plus 11 additional clinics -
 which totals 360 cats and dogs @ $3,250 USD
March - sponsored by PEACEAnimals board member, Trisha Aljoe

  The clinics take place in the cultural center on the first Sunday of every month.  Registration is at 7:30 AM.  The island is overrun with cats and kittens.

LOCATIONS NEEDED FOR CLINICS.  REQUIRED:  WATER, ELECTRICITY, BATHROOM AND PARKING AVAILABILITY.


 TIED UP TO TREE WAITING FOR SURGERY - NOT ENOUGH KENNELS - ISLA CUALE - 12/3/17  AMARRADO A UN ARBOL ESPERANDO CIRUGÍA 



NOTE:  PEACEAnimals, per our agreement with independent contractors, Pets for Life, is obliged to pay extra for driving time and gasoline for areas outside Puerto Vallarta.  We ask that private or government groups pay those extra expenses.


PEACEAnimals does not buy advertising or pay for posters, flyers, megaphone announcers or locations.  All monies raised go directly to actual costs of the clinics.  Dr. Poli, as director of PEACEAnimals, a Mexican AC  (non-profit) and Pets for Life, a Mexican SC (business), selects clinic locations.

All pet registration forms with signatures of owners or rescuers are submitted by Dr. Poli to the local department of health, with copies to PEACEAnimals.
.

CLÍNICA DE PETS FOR LIFE EN LA ISLA CUALE - 3 DE DICIEMBRE




Clinic schedule, including directions and other clinic information are always on website:  www.peaceanimals.org,  on this blog and on the PEACEAnimals FaceBook page.




GATITO DESMASIADO JOVEN PARA ESTERILIZAR - KITTEN TOO YOUNG TO STERILIZE - ISLA CUALE


Please "like" PEACEAnimals on FaceBook.




LUNCH DONATIONS NEEDED FOR VET TEAM.



PEACEAnimals has a lunch budget of 70 pesos per vet team member (four persons) per day -  4 days a week. 
Please consider donating lunches for them, and please advise so we can create a lunch schedule. By having lunches donated, these savings can used for purchases of clinic supplies.


VOLUNTARIOS - PETS FOR LIFE CLINIC - ISLA CUALE



WE NEED VOLUNTEERS AT THE CLINICS.  We are almost always short on volunteers.  Please contact Leslie Caratachea via FB or infopeaceanimals@gmail.com - or just drop by.  

FOR INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEERING: 
 http://www.peaceanimals.org/volunteer_1/volunteer_duties



WE NEED DONATIONS OF USED AND NEW KENNELS FOR CATS AND DOGS OF ALL SIZES.  WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE USED OR NEW COLLARS AND LEASHES TO DOG OWNERS WHO BRING THEIR PETS TO THE CLINICS.

                 
CLÍNICA EN LA ISLA CUALE DE PETS FOR LIFE - 3 DE DICIEMBRE

    

If directions needed, please call our dedicated line (directions are only in Spanish) or refer to our website or this blog:   113 3955 

COST FOR ONE SURGERY WEEK CLINIC IS APPROXIMATELY $1,800 USD. 



PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION VIA CHECK, CREDIT CARD, PAYPAL, BEQUEST OR STOCK TRANSFER.  Note:  Stocks are transferred at full value without the donating stock owner being taxed.



PEACEANIMALS VET TEAM - EL EQUIPO DE PEACEANIMALS - DR. ANTHONY, LESLIE, DR. POLI Y DR. PACHECO


PEACEAnimals is under the umbrella of Banderas Bay Charities, Inc.,  a US 501 (c)(3) charity located in Portland, Oregon.  



Please make payments payable to either BBC INC or Banderas Bay Charities, Inc.  Donations are tax deductible and should be earmarked for PEACEAnimals.


PIT BULL ESPERANDO CIRUGÍA - CLÍNICA EN LA ISLA CUALE DE PETS FOR LIFE



Banderas Bay Charities, Inc (BBC, Inc) offers tax-deductible receipts in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Amy Welch, Secretary-Treasurer amywelchpdx@comcast.net
505 N Tomahawk Is Dr  Portland, OR 97217    
503 285 4007


THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS:























THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT.


WISHING ALL FELIZ NAVIDAD,  MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH AND 
PEACE ON EARTH, GOOD WILL TOWARDS ALL PEOPLE EVERYWHERE





Gretchen DeWitt – President – Board of Directors
gretchen@peaceanimals.org
https://www.facebook.com/PeaceAnimals
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http://www.peaceanimals.org/espa_ol



Los animales no necesitan tener una camada para completar su ciclo vital, puesto que no existe una relación consciente con la reproducción como parte necesaria de su bienestar emocional.

PARA FOTOS,/NOMBRES Y INFORMACIÓN DE LOS PERROS EN EL CENTRO DE ACOPIO QUE NECESITAN HOGARES:




PARA REPORTAR ABUSO A LOS ANIMALES- LLAME  A LA POLICA - 911 - Y PIDA LA PATROLLA VERDE o al centro de acopio   293 3690


 
LINEA DESIGNADA PARA DIRECIÓNES Y COMO LLEGAR (EN ESPAÑOL) A LAS CLÍNICAS CADA SEMANA:   (322) 113 3955







NECESITAMOS LUGARES PARA NUESTRAS CLÍNICAS EN COLONIAS Y PUEBLOS. PRECISO:   BAÑO, ELECTRICIDAD, AGUA Y PARA ESTACIONARSE.






INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL SOBRE LA ESTERILIZACIÓN PARA MASCOTAS Y LAS CLÍNICAS GRATIS EN NUESTRO WEBSITE - www.peaceanimals.org



NECESITAMOS SU APOYO.  FAVOR DE DONAR ALMUERZOS PARA NUESTRO EQUIPO. NOS CUESTA 1,120 PESOS LA SEMANA PARA NUESTRO EQUIPO DE 4 PERSONAS.   CON SUS DONACIÓNES DE COMIDA, PODEMOS USAR ESTE DINERO PARA SUMINISTROS.   FAVOR DE CONFIRMAR CUÁL DÍA DE LA SEMANA PUEDEN.  LESLIE VA HACER EL HORARIO PARA ALMUERZOS.  GRACIAS.

 TAMBIÉN NECESITAMOS VOLUNTARIOS, POR FAVOR.

http://www.peaceanimals.org/espa_ol/protocolo_para_voluntarios

GRACIAS POR SU INTERÉS Y SU APOYO.


Gretchen DeWitt – Presidente de la mesa directiva
gretchen@peaceanimals.org




https://www.facebook.com/PeaceAnimals