WHICH COUNTRY CONSUMES THE MOST SOFT DRINKS?

EL PROGRESO - A FAMILIAR LOGO IN ALL OF MÉXICO

EL PROGRESO

Due to road work, the detour directions to the clinic in el Progreso sounded complicated   I asked Frank Ohly, steadfast volunteer, if I could meet him somewhere and follow him to the clinic.  Frank suggested the Oxxo (equivalent to U.S. 7-11) around the corner from the defunct bull ring, which is close to the cruise ship terminals.   At 8:15 AM, Frank dismounted from his red and black BMW motorcycle as I pulled up, saying he needed to buy a Coca-Cola.  I laughed, as I had read an article about the “Coca-Colization” of México the night before, and asked if I could take his picture. 

EL PROGRESO

México consumes more soft drinks than anywhere in the world.

México´s obesity rate of over 32.8 has surpassed that of the U.S., which stands at 31.8.
70% of Mexicans are considered to be overweight.

Diabetes is the number one cause of death in México.

There are hundreds of Coca-Cola logos in and around Puerto Vallarta.  When I visited Chiapas, the southernmost and poorest state of Mexico, Coca-Cola´s presence was evident, even in the former church of San Juan de Chamula.  Inside, adults and children were swigging large bottles of Coke or a drink called “ponch,” which is a mixture of Coke and rum and something else.  Great belching, which the people believe rids them of evil spirits, follows.  In many parts of Mexico, Coke is often more accessible and less costly than water.  Children are being given Coca-Cola as a breakfast drink.  It´s even put in baby bottles for infants.

ONE OF DOZENS OF BODEGAS AND MERCADOS WITH THE COCA COLA LOGO IN  COLONIA EL PROGRESO

To read more about Coca-Cola in Mexico:  

http://english.periodismohumano.com/2013/03/05/the-coca-colization-of-mexico-the-spark-of-obesity/

ROAD IN EL PROGRESO

WAITING TO REGISTER PETS IN EL PROGRESO

I followed Frank due east through detours, muddy roads and along an enormous expanse of green pressed up against the foothills of the Sierras, which looked pale purple in the morning. The clinic took place around the corner from the local tortillería in the former DIF building.  

 EX-DIF BUILDING IN EL PROGRESO

REGISTERING PETS AT EL PROGRESO

After passing many street dogs,  we arrived at the clinic shortly before 9 AM, where volunteers were helping Dr. Poly unload the mobile clinic (Poli´s horse trailer).   By 10 AM, there were only eleven registered pets, probably due to the ayutamiento not having distributed flyers.  So I did what I love to do most at the clinics – went out to look for pets.  After walking several blocks, passing a dozen or so dogs in the street with no collars nor owners nearby, I came to a yard with cats and dogs in it.  The owner wanted all of them sterilized,  so I went back to the clinic, put two cat kennels in my car and picked up small dogs and five cats and kittens plus two of the man´s granddaughters. 

DARLING GIRLS HELPED BRING IN 14 CATS AND DOGS IN EL PROGRESO

When I drove the young girls back, they asked me to pick up their friend´s pets. In a large dirt back yard filled with shade trees were five puppies, their mama and her teen-age son.  The puppies were loaded with ticks, mostly wedged between their toes, and were bloated with worms.  I asked if any of the puppies were for adoption, but the family wanted to keep all of them.  The young girls were darling.  They wanted so much to help and stayed to watch surgeries and pre-op.  They also promised to bring more people to the clinics on Thursday, and with great smiles, blew kisses to me as I drove away.

STERILIZATIONS AT EL PROGRESO CLINIC - August 6-9

Female dogs  40  Male dogs  18  Female cats  22  Male cats  13  TOTAL  93
plus pregnancies terminated for 1 cat with 3 fetuses   1 dog with 10 fetuses  1 dog with 8 fetuses

THIS CLINIC WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY A GENEROUS GRANT FROM HUMANE SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL.

DONATIONS AT EL PROGRESO CLINIC    530 pesos

DONATIONS TO CLINICS:  Cecilia Martinez -  250 pesos
Jane Peters-Arnold - $50 USD

MISCELLANEOUS DONATIONS:  Anonymous- $350 USD - for the dogs at LADRA, the Borchgrevinks´ wonderful shelter/boarding facility.

Kay Doyle -1,000 pesos for Cabezon´s care.
Anonymous - 1,860 peso vet bill for Cabezón paid for at Dr. Peña (bill was 2,360 pesos, but Pamela Evans´ 1,000 peso donation paid 500 pesos of this bill plus a bottle of cosequin for Cabezon´s osteoporosis).


ADOPTIONS:

"EMMANUEL"  (at  peace clinic) ADOPTED

"Emmanuel," a young brindle puppy rescued from the Acopio by Shamira in July, fostered by Candace Shaw, neutered at a PEACEAnimals clinic,  and adopted by Cecilia Martinez the first week of August. 

   


NEEDS HOME ASAP: 
"Tyson," a gentle brown and white male Pit Bull Mix, has been at the Centro de Acopio for a year-and-a-half.   Tyson was adopted last week and was so excited to be leaving the Acopio that he jumped uninvited into his new owner´s car.  Sadly, the nice young man owned another dog that didn´t like Tyson,  so he was returned to the Acopio.  Dogs are only to be walked twice a week there.  Tyson needs to go to a foster or permanent home as soon as possible.  Contact the Acopio:  293-3690

NECESITA HOGAR - HA ESTADO 18 MESES EN EL CENTRO DE ACOPIO

RESCUED AND NEED HOMES:

SOS!! "Cabezón," the hound dog from el Tuito whose ear had been hacked off with a machete.  This noble dog is only three years old, but has osteoporosis.  His foster mother, Saashi Rodriguez,  is giving him daily massages and glucosamine and says he is now playing like a puppy with her other dog.  Saashi leaves for the U.S. September 8th, so a solution needs to be found for Cabezón as soon as possible.

CABEZÓN NECESITA HOGAR O CASA PUENTE

  I only met him once, but wished I could take him home with me.   I´m hoping someone will give him a wonderful home after his short life of homelessness and abuse.  For now, it is urgent that at minimum a foster home be found for him.  Cabezón is on a wait list to fly to Canada .  Saashi says he is polite, quiet,  intelligent, observant, loves human company and other animals and is a perfect pet.  Cabezón is waiting for a good home and a good new name.  Please submit your suggestions to me before August 31st.  Regarding fostering or adopting, please contact Saashi - saashi700@yahoo.com

"BEETHOVEN" ("BETO") RESCATADO Y NECESITA HOGAR

"TUNEL," AT TIME HE WAS FOUND IN THE TUNNEL

Rescued by Shamira:  "Beethoven," aka "Beto," is a sweet 18-month old Pit Bull mix that has been neutered and vaccinated. Shamira just removed him from the Acopio after he had been there for six months.  He is great with children, adults and dogs but doesn´t like cats.    Contact Shamira if interested in either dog:  vinyasaflow_yoga

@hotmail.com

Shamira found a frightened young  Chihuahua mix inside the tunnel road on Friday night, August 1st.  Shamira, who saves many  animals,  said she was running out of rescue dog names, so is calling him"Tunel" (Spanish pronunciation="Toonel"). 

"TUNEL" DRESSED UP AND READY FOR ADOPTION/NECESITA HOGAR

HOMES NEEDED:  For the thousands of dogs and cats on the streets here and for 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 Caracól (back end of building near McDonald´s entrance).   Dogs are walked twice a week by volunteers organized by Friends of Puerto Vallarta Animals.

RIDES FOR RESCUE DOGS NEEDED:  For Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.  All expenses for dogs paid for.  Please contact robin.nobars@gmail or patty@mexpup.


GREATERGOOD - PLEASE CLICK!  Your daily clicks or direct donations help animals, people and the planet.  www.greatergood.org; www.greatergood.com  

WATCHING SURGERIES AT EL PROGRESO CLINIC

To donate to PEACEAnimals clinics, please click on this link.  http://bit.ly/1cWY0lP
SMILEAMAZON– When ordering on Amazon, if you click on the following link you can designate PEACEAnimals as a recipient of Amazon´s donation of  0.5% of your purchase.  http://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-3726038

EL PROGRESO DOG

SCHEDULE/HORARIO:  

August 12-15 Mojoneras  NO CLINIC SATURDAY.  no hay clínica sábado.

DR. POLI, DR. ANTHONY & DR. JIMENA AT EL PROGRESO

Take the Highway 200 heading north from the airport. Go on the lateral along the Corona Beer Storage and bottling plant (close to the Bus Station). At the end of the corner make a RIGHT.  Drive to the end of the wide cobblestone street until you come to the SEAPAL sewer water treatment plant and make a LEFT.  Soon after,  you will come to a chicken shop and make a RIGHT on Jalisco St.  Drive in for about 3 blocks until you reach the corner at the Agencia Municipal.

August 20-23- Colonia Lomas del Coapinole - Calle Corea del Sur 901 at the corner of Manual Corona next to deposito Luisito and two blocks from Kiosko.   Y está semana vamos a trabajar en la colonia lomas del coapinole pot la calle Corea del Sur #904 esquina con Manuel corona a un lado del deposito Luisito a 2 cuadras del kiosco y sobre el cuadro como se hace

Schedule, including directions and other clinic information are always on website:  www.peaceanimals.org

DOGS THAT DIDN´T GET STERILIZED IN EL PROGRESO

COST FOR ONE SURGERY WEEK CLINIC IS APPROXIMATELY  $1,700 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.   Name of recipient of donations  for all donations is simply "PEACE."

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:



 

  

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT.

Gretchen DeWitt - President - Board of Directors - PEACEAnimals

www.peaceanmals.org

https://www.facebook.com/PeaceAnimals?fref=ts

www.gretchen-peace-and-pv.blogspot.com



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

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF IXTAPA?

PEACEFUL YELAPA

 

VIEWS FROM LAGUNITA RESTAURANT ON THE BEACH IN YELAPA

There was a small crowd of men standing around a low cage near the pier in Boca de Tomatlán, a thirty.minute drive south of Puerto Vallarta.  Inside the cage was young crocodile about two-feet long.  It  had just been caught in a river close to las Ánimas, a popular beach 10 minutes south of Boca by water taxi,  or an hour-and-a-half walk on a gorgeous up and down. trail.  The excited men said they were going to release the crocodile, “because this is México!” When I asked where, they said they didn´t know.

My eight-year old grandson James and I caught the next water taxi to Yelapa, a stunningly beautiful thirty-minute ride, far from the summer beach crowds of Vallarta and far from the heartbreaking news stories.  

LAST KAYAKING OF THE DAY FOR JAMES GREGOR

More than the swimming and kayaking in the bay, I love hour-and-a-half walk up the dirt trail along the river to the cascade.  

VULTURES AT COMPOST

We pass shiny black vultures feeding at a compost,

GOOD LOOKING COUPLE LOOKING FOR THEIR BABIES

chickens pecking with their chicks in front of small, cement houses, strutting roosters with glossy black tail feathers, quick lizards, quiet horses,

a hobbled, braying burro,  black iguanas sunning themselves on large grey rocks, palm-thatched palapas, and  green parrots squawking as they fly back and forth between high trees. 

SUNNING IGUANA NEXT TO THE TRAIL

Cement houses and wood bungalows are left behind.  We cross the low river twice, the climb becomes steeper until we reach a rocky plateau and see the winding river and the cascade leaping out a mighty wall of rock far below us.  Climbing down steps carved out of the stone, we reach the large natural pool below the cascade.   The force of the water after the rains makes it impossible to stand under it, so we let the cascade propel us over and over to the opposite part of the pool.

CASCADE FROM AN OPPOSITE CLIFF

At night in our palapa at Hotel Lagunita, fireflies spark in the jungle and the only sounds are the electric buzzes of mating cicadas and the hush of waves on the shore.

IXTAPA.   Part of the municipality of Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa is about a 30- minute drive northeast of central Vallarta.  It´s a place one passes through when driving up to las Palmas or San Sebastián in the foothills of the Sierra Madres.  "Ixtapa" is a Nahual (indigenous tribe) name.  In the Nahual language, all words ending in "apa" refer to "river" and "iztatl" means "salt."  The spelling of the last word was imposed by the Spaniards, who didn´t have "x" in their alphabet.  The meaning of "Ixtapa" is easy to arrive at ... "salty river."

The clinic in Ixtapa took place in the spacious Salon de Usos Múltiples ("Multi-Purpose Salon").  Interesting that there are no doors or bathroom, but there is a security guard and plenty of bushes 
outside.

STERILIZATIONS AT IXTAPA CLINIC- July 30-August 2   
Male dogs:  20; Female dogs:  40; Male cats:  14;  Female cats:  27 TOTAL:  108
PLUS  1 pregnancy terminated for a dog with 8 fetuses

THIS CLINIC WAS MADE POSSIBLE
THANKS TO A GENEROUS GRANT BY THE HUMANE SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL.  
 

DONATIONS AT IXTAPA CLINIC:
1,098 pesos

DONATIONS AT LAST WEEK´S CLINIC in Los Portales:  1,070 pesos

PEOPLE WITH THEIR PETS AT IXTAPA CLINIC

DONATIONS TO CLINICS:  Michael Turner - $50 USD

MISCELLANEOUS DONATIONS:   From Hannah Nunn - A bag of used dog toys, a few used collars and leashes and grooming brush  for LADRA, The Borchgrevink´s beautiful refuge/boarding place.  Their place in the hills is complete with a ranch house, large outdoor spaces, a river to splash in and a view of the bay far below.  There are ten beautiful, sterilized and vaccinated young rescue dogs for adoption at the refuge.  Please request photos and information from LADRA via FB.

ADOPTIONS:  “Samantha,” the skinny Belgian Shepherd rescued by Paulina Stettner, who said she went to a great family; “Oso,” the black,  matted black Chow also rescued by Paulina.  Her foster mother  Laura Ghillardi Miller loves him and is keeping Oso.

 A puppy and an adult dog from the Centro de Acopio at Plaza Caracól on Saturday and an adult dog at the Acopio.

  
 LEAVE OF LEAVE OF ABSENCE:  Paulina Stettner, vet tech and director of PEACEAnimals, leaves for Guadalajara Sunday morning, returning to Vallarta and the clinics in October.  Paulina has a very loving hand and heart for the animals and will be missed.  Dr. Jemina, Dr. Anthony´s girlfriend, has been given clinic training by Paulina.  Jemina received her veterinarian license two years ago, has volunteered her services many times at our clinics and will do a great job.  Anthony will enjoy having her by his side.

BUSY IXTAPA CLINIC. 

CUALECATS:  Shannon Beston has just founded this organization to help the overpopulation of cats and decimation of wildlife on the Isla Cuale.  She feeds dozens of cats daily and catches as many as she can to take to a free clinic.   After sterilization, Shannon releases them back to the island if she can´t find good homes for them. There are many tame and sterilized cats living on the island that would make good pets.

BOX OF ABANDONED KITTENS RECENTLY FOUND IN LAS GAVIOTAS.  CONTACT PURRPROJECT VIA FB IF YOU CAN FOSTER THEM.  THE MAMA IS LOOKING FOR HER BABIES AND WILL BE PREGNANT AGAIN IN A FEW MONTHS TIME.

 There are also many feral cats, some of them pregnant, and at least a dozen feral kittens.  Please contact Shannon if you would like to be part of this project:  shannon@bestonproperties.com

HOMES NEEDED:  For the thousands of dogs and cats on the streets here and for dozens of healthy and beautiful dogs and cats at the Centro de Acopio, the city´s no-kill pound.

ONE OF MANY  RESCUED CATS FOR ADOPTION AT ANGELICAT

.

 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 Caracól (back endof building near McDonald´s entrance).   Dogs are walked twice a week by volunteers organized by Friends of Puerto Vallarta Animals.

"Cabezón" the rescued Hound Dog and "Gaston," the little male Fox Terrier mix, are still in foster homes and waiting for permanent ones.  Please contact me.  Both dogs are neutered and vaccinated and wonderful. 

RIDES FOR RESCUE DOGS NEEDED:  For Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.  All expenses for dogs paid for.  Please contact robin.nobars@gmail.com or patty@mexpup.com

GREATERGOOD - 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

SMILEAMAZON– When ordering on Amazon, if you click on the following link you can designate PEACEAnimals as a recipient of Amazon´s donation of  0.5% of your purchase.  http://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-3726038

SCHEDULE/HORARIO  

August 6-9  El Progreso

Turn inland at La Paloma Bullring, drive for many blocks and at the light,  turn LEFT.  Road is under construction.  Be patient and drive until you come to Ave-  Los Poetas where you will make a RIGHT.   It´s a big new avenue going uphill and it will be clearly marked.  Pass a Pemex after a series of little identical houses and duplex,  and at the Kiosko convenience store make a left.  The street you are on will seem to end in a dirt road after 2 blocks, but a paved road continues to the right.  Stay on that paved street called 16 de Septiembre.  Many, many blocks later you will come to what appears to be the end of the street and make a LEFT at Calle Heberto Castillo. After 2 blocks on Heberto Castillo you will come to a green Tortillería El Progreso,  where you will turn left again and voila!

August 13-16 Mojoneras

Take the Highway 200 heading north from the airport. Go on the lateral along the Corona Beer Storage and bottling plant (close to the Bus Station). At the end of the corner make a RIGHT.  Drive to the end of the wide cobblestone street until you come to the SEAPAL sewer water treatment plant and make a LEFT.  Soon after,  you will come to a chicken shop and make a RIGHT on Jalisco St.  Drive in for about 3 blocks until you find us in a corner at the Agencia Municipal.

August 20-23 La Bugambilia - TBA

Schedule, including directions and other clinic information are always on website:  www.peaceanimals.org

STAR VOLUNTEER REGINA, FIFTEEN YEARS OLD,  REGISTERING PETS AT IXTAPA CLINIC

VOLUNTEERS:  PLEASE SIGN UP WITH PAULINA STETTNER.  WE NEED  YOUR HELP!  infopeaceanimals@gmail.com

IXTAPA CLINIC AT SALON DE USOS MÚLTIPLES 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: robin.nobars@gmail.com   COST FOR ONE SURGERY WEEK CLINIC IS APPROXIMATELY  $1,700 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.   Name of recipient of donations  for all donations is simply "PEACE." THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:      THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT. Gretchen DeWitt - President - Board of Directors - PEACEAnimals www.peaceanmals.org https://www.facebook.com/PeaceAnimals?fref=ts www.gretchen-peace-and-pv.blogspot.com ##################################################################### INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL SOBRE LA ESTERILIZACIÓN PARA MASCOTAS Y LAS CLÍNICAS GRATIS EN NUESTRO WEBSITE - www.peaceanimals.org