Mangey little Bandit 10-Nov-09

Bandit wandered into the bus stop bookstore coffee shop this week.  The regular customers quickly realized that this puppy was all alone and looking for sanctuary so they called Ayuda.

With a mangey face, and perhaps his very first day away from his mother, Bandit was carried through the closest neighborhoods where residents were asked if they knew this puppy.  Although he had been seen by the neighbors, no one knew where this little chow had originated.  The popular suspicion is that he was probably dropped off from a passing bus.

The neighbors were made aware that Ayuda was taking him to Zoo Mascota for treatments, and that he would then go to a temporary foster home while he recovers.

Bandit is about 9 or 10 weeks old and we think we may have already found a nice family of humans for him.  But first he will complete his mange treatments, become sterilized, and receive our standard series of vaccinations.

Despite our daily efforts to control the dog population, we still have a continuous supply of puppy adoption opportunities.  Please Contact Us if you are interested in helping to find homes for homeless animals.  Our supplies of basic medications for Bandit and others like him continue to become painfully reduced.   In order to rebuild our inventory of supplies we desperately require cash and/or in-kind donations.  We ask for support from local residents,  visitors, and people like you who care about the plight of helpless animals.

Church Mom in recovery 8-Nov-09

The name Church Mom has been given to this homeless girl because she spends most of her time around the courtyard in front of Panajachel’s Catholic church.  She has always been one of our favorite street dogs.

We have seen and fed Church Mom almost daily for many months.  We know that she has had at least one litter, and we were led to believe that she had been sterilized before we met her.

However, as this most recent and very intense “heat season” has progressed, we have come to learn that we were not given correct information.  As evidenced by the encounter of yet another terrified female being pursued by a pack of males, it became obvious that Church Mom really hadn’t been previously spay/neutered at all.

Just like Little Sister, Feathers, Xela, and others whose stories have not been published, a very frightened Church Mom was similarly pulled from beneath a parked car while determined males postured and surrounded her.

Unfortunately, Church Mom’s sterilization surgery the next day did not go as well as normal.  She was anemic upon arrival with a suspected blood disorder similar to sickle cell anemia and then lost a great deal of blood. It became necessary for this very gentle girl to receive blood transfusions from Dr. Miguel’s adopted dogs, Socks and Tzizu the tripod.  She also received specialized medication and supplements for her anemia.

Church Mom has been brought to the home of Selaine and Harold where she is receiving close care and monitoring.  She is very weak, but still makes it clear that she wants to get back to her freedom and street friends.  Her condition appears to be improving every day and we hope to release her before the end of the week.

Concrete and heavy steel, in a safe and quiet place, provide secure temporary housing for street dogs undergoing and recovering from treatments. 6-Nov-09

Construction completed today on new housing for pre-op and post-op animals.

Through a WSPA equipment grant, 2 secure kennels are now available to provide good short-term quarters for street animals who require close care during their treatment periods.  The new kennels are located at Ayuda’s headquarters.

Although they are typically lightweight mid-sized dogs, the Guatemalan chuchos have been known to be extraordinary in their determination to break free from confinements.  Many heavy duty travel kennels and chain links have given way to stubborn teeth and relentless tugging by street dogs determined to be free and roaming.

We believe the design and construction of these new kennels is sufficiently durable, dry, comfortable, and maintainable for proper sanitization.

The kennels are expected to bring benefits to both Ayuda and Zoo Mascota.  By Ayuda temporarily housing more of the animals we are having treated, Dr. Miguel will have an improved capacity for admitting more critical patients into his hospital.  The new kennels will benefit Ayuda through savings in hospital boarding expenses which would otherwise be necessary.

Thank you, WSPA, for helping to enable the growth and visions of our young and growing program.

Little Sister, very confused right after surgery and her first chemo treatment 30-Oct-09

Little Sister is a street dog who is usually seen near the mercado and the Catholic church.  She is probably about one year old.

Since Ayuda first discovered this dog we believed that she had been doing well.   She received worming and other parasite treatments right on schedule with her regular feedings by Ayuda volunteers.

This week Little Sister was sterilized and vaccinated for Rabies and local deadly diseases.

However, during her surgery, vet student Astrid discovered that Sister has a small cancerous tumor.  It is the  CTVT cancer and most likely contracted in the usual sexually transmitted way.

The good news is that Dr. Miguel believes the tumor was caught in early stages and can possibly be cured through 2 or 3 chemo treatments.  Little Sister will be fostered at the home of Selaine and Harold until her cancer has cleared.  She will use the same quarters recently vacated by former cancer patient Mamushka.

But there is much more to the story of how Little Sister made it to the operating table this week.

On the morning of Little Sister’s surgery, Selaine had arrived early for a meeting at Panajachel’s city offices, which are commonly referred to as “the Muni”.  The purpose of the meeting was to follow up on an earlier meeting during which the subject of poisoning dogs had been discussed.

As she started to walk up the front steps she noticed yet another pack of dogs working the street.  It was the all too familiar seasonal scene of a young female in heat leading a gang of crazed males.  But this time they were approaching the front of the Muni, right where Selaine was now standing, in front of the very building where a meeting would soon start to discuss the issues of street dogs and their gangs.

As the pack got closer, Selaine came to see that it was Little Sister who was out front being mounted and roughed up.  When close enough, Selaine reached down to see how Sister would react to her touch.  The terrified female was fine with this;  perhaps sensing some relief or salvation by the familiar hand.   But a large male pit was not to be compromised by the human.   He snarled and growled viciously at Selaine’s hand.

Selaine wasn’t quite sure about what to do next.  But she knew she had to get these dogs away from the Muni as quickly as she could and before other members of the meeting arrived.

In her backpack was her usual supply of dog food, and a spare leash and collar.   She thought that if she could lure Sister away with some food then perhaps she could capture her and get her to Zoo Mascota.  Pulling out a handful of kibble, Selaine started walking towards the professional building next door to the Muni.  It was working.  Sister was following her.  But so were 6 very large male dogs, including the big pit who had just growled her away from Little Sister.

The building next door has a series of exterior doors which were in their usual wide open positions.  Selaine quickly developed a plan to get Sister inside and keep the males out.  But it needed help and quick actions.   After a fast explanation of her plan, some men sitting in a waiting area helped her open and close some doors as she continued to lure Sister with food while side stepping the males.    The plan was successful, but did require Selaine taking the big handful of kibble and spray throwing it into the face of the aggressive pit.  As the pit stood in bewilderment contemplating what had just happened, the door closed in his face and Sister and Selaine were safely inside a business.

As Selaine started to put the collar and leash on Little Sister, the proprietor of the business they had just disrupted appeared and wanted to know what was going on.  Understanding and appreciative of the explanation, she showed Selaine a back door through which they might be able to make a quick getaway.  While this conversation was going on between Selaine and the proprietor the angry pit could be heard banging loudly at the front door.

Selaine and Little Sister darted out the back door and started running up the street.  However, after a few steps the little street dog seemed to question this strange thing around her neck and the purpose of her running.  So she stopped.  Which lead to coaxing, dragging, carrying, and a series of other means to quickly get as much distance as possible between Sister’s scent and the frustrated male dogs still circling the front of Las Casitas.

Amidst street calls of “Where you going with that chuch?”, Selaine was able to successfully deliver Sister to Dr. Miguel and still make it back to the Muni in time for her meeting.

Little Sister, feeling more confident with flowers in her hair 31-Oct-09

The next time the big pit and his pals see Little Sister it will be “Ya no mas muchachos.”

But now that we know Sister has the CTVT cancer, the challenge is on to track down the males from the pack and quickly get them treated, as well.

All donations to help with sterilizations, vaccinations and medications, food, and special needs such as cancer treatments are gratefully accepted and guaranteed put to good use.

Cumatz checking out her new digs

We recently received some photos from our friend Mer.  The pictures are of Cumatz, a former street dog, who is now doing very well living on Mer’s property.

When Ayuda first discovered this dog we called her Lucia.  She was found nursing a litter of new puppies beneath the hull of an old boat.

But we soon came to learn that mama dog had a friendly sponsor.   As a lake commuter, Mer had come to know this dog very well, named her Cumatz,  and was planning on adopting Cumatz to her home in a western shore village.  In fact, Mer had already brought this homeless dog to Dr. Miguel to begin her vaccination series, and then returned Cumatz to her home base as a temporary measure.

Cumatz the guardian

With birds-of-a-feather common interests, Mer and Ayuda teamed up to care for this beautiful new family.

Temporary shelter was created near the family’s home base.   At the right time, Cumatz was moved to her new home in a village which is only accessible by boat.  Volunteer Marilena fostered (and sang to) the puppies in her home.  All family members were sterilized and fully vaccinated.  And last but not least, all of the puppies went to the homes of families which Ayuda interviewed.

Overall, a story book ending for a beautiful family of homeless dogs.

Cumatz enjoying the good life

Numerous times over the course of a year the streets of Panajachel become plagued by large packs of roaming dogs.    Somewhere at the front of the steadily moving pack there is almost always a female in heat.   She may be trying to break away from the pursuing males, or she may be inviting them to have sex with her.

During these times it is very common to encounter a pack with as many as 15 or more dogs who have thrown caution to the wind.  Vicious fighting among the males is also common as they move carelessly through the streets, contending to be the next in line, and often intimidating humans they encounter along their way.

When conditions have permitted, Ayuda volunteers have managed to grab a female and make an escape in a fast moving vehicle.  However, many times conditions are not safe to do this.  Even if a female is willing to be removed from a gang bang, it is not uncommon for the sex-crazed males to restrict her exit.

When unable to perform a capture safely, our standard practice has been to get as much information as possible about the female (ideally, a photo), and then try to track her down for her spay/neuter at a safer time.  Unfortunately, many of these females go under cover and are not seen again until they are weeks into pregnancy.   And as a further obstacle, sometimes a pack dog has a human family who, for various reasons, does not believe in having their animals sterilized and may even want their females in a constant state of pregnancy.

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Yesterday, Selaine was walking up a busy side street when she was approached by an unusually large pack of dogs.  The street was busy with honking buses and trucks during rush hour traffic.   Annoyed business owners and frightened pedestrians tried to shoo away the dogs by throwing water and other things at them.  But the crazed dogs refused to cooperate.

Running directly towards Selaine in front of the pack was a little female whom we have named Feathers.

Feathers is not an unfamiliar face to Ayuda.  We have seen her many times around town, but never before in heat and being pursued.   When observed, Feathers consistently appears to be on the move and as if she has a purposed destination to get to.   Judging from her breed and general condition, we have always assumed that Feathers most likely has a human family.

As Selaine continued up the street she quickly came to realize that Feathers was in a state of terror.  In desperation, the frightened dog went under a parked car seeking sanctuary, but still crying out for help, while a male dog also crawled under the car in hot pursuit.

Pushing the stubborn male suitors aside, Selaine tried unsuccessfully to reach far enough under the sheltering car and grab hold of Feathers.  At this same time, one of the Ayuda volunteers who watch over the church courtyard dogs arrived on the scene.  Rudy was able to crawl under the parked car and pull Feathers out to safety.   As he handed the little dog over to Selaine, Feathers wrapped her paws around Selaine’s neck and clung to her for dear life.

Selaine then carried Feathers through the neighborhood, pushing away the anxious males at her feet, and asking business owners and residents if they knew if Feathers had a family.  As she received steady replies of “no” she briefly explained that she runs a program for street dogs and that Feathers was going to Zoo Mascota to be sterilized.    To which all gave her replies of support, ranging from “Good!” to blessings and pats on her back.

However, the journey to safety was not yet complete.

With Feathers still clinging to her and surrounded by the males, Selaine jumped into a tuk tuk taxi.  But one persistent big boy would not give up.  He too climbed into the tuk tuk trying to introduce himself to Feathers.  Using her feet, Selaine was able to push him out.  But then he chased them the entire way to the clinic, continuously jumping in and getting kicked out each time the tuk tuk had to stop.

Finally, Feathers and Selaine made it inside Zoo Mascota, but so did the pursuing male.  He followed them in the front door.  As soon as Feathers was secure, efforts were made to capture the male and sterilize him too.  But he slipped away.  This time.

By the end of the day, Feathers and another female who was captured from a different pack that same morning had both been successfully treated.

Xela! A happy, healthy, and appreciative street dog 19-Oct-09

Photos of Feathers have been omitted from this publication.

However, on the left is an “after” picture of another female who was also saved from a pack of males a couple of months ago.

Since her operation, Xela has put on a good deal of weight.   With her keen sense of street smarts, we are very happy to say that Xela is doing very well in all ways.

Always a pleasure when we see each other, we have come to discover that Xela loves to show appreciation for the help she has received, including a daily meal of healthy food.  We often encounter Xela if we are out in the evenings and she very dutifully accompanies us safely to our gate.  Click here if you would like to read the original article about Xela.

Isabel 2-Oct-09

Isabel has recently joined the ranks of Ayuda community volunteers.

A native resident of Panajachel, Isabel has been studying Social Economics in one of Guatemala’s universities.   In 2008 she earned her Bachelor Degree and is actively looking for employment in her chosen field.

Isabel is a long time animal lover.  She has been daily feeding 5-7 street dogs in her neighborhood.  Isabel learned about Ayuda over this past summer and came to us asking for help with dog food supplies.

Isabel immediately signed on to become one of Ayuda’s daily feeding stations.  Most of her station’s feral dogs are now physically ready for sterilization and will be treated this week.

Isabel was also an active participant in the WSPA/Ayuda Survey Workshop.

Pictured below are some of the roaming dogs which Isabel cares for daily and will be treated this week.

Canche

Chuly

Mocha

Pinto

Bobi survived Parvo 5-Oct-09

It was only a few days ago that we thought 2 month old Bobi wasn’t going to make it.

Bobi was found in an indigenous neighborhood.  He had all appearances of dieing.

We took Bobi to Zoo Mascota where he was diagnosed with Parvo.  Dr. Miguel admitted him and after a few days of hospitalization and treatments Bobi  showed remarkable progress.

Bobi is also one lucky dog because he has someone waiting to take him home with her, and also because his hospitalization expenses have been sponsored by a kind local person.

Cases of death and near-death due to Parvo and Distemper continue to occur in our area.  As the animals die a slow and agonizing death they leave behind diarrhea and other unhealthy bodily fluids.  We have unconfirmed suspicions that there may be linkages between the spread of these diseases in the neighborhoods and rumblings from neighborhood leaders about wanting to poison.

We are working hard to find acceptable anti-poison solutions for the neighborhoods.  Our plans include a series of regularly scheduled walk-around visits to the neighborhoods during which we offer vaccinations and other treatments.  Our goal is to stabilize the deadly current circumstances, and work towards sustainable levels of Parvo/Distemper vaccinations administered throughout the communities.

Please help us to fight these killing diseases and prevent future epidemics.   We are seeking donations to help us purchase these life saving vaccines.

As this month of September winds down we celebrate a milestone of accomplishment.

We are declaring the Las Cavernas area to be in a state of stabilization.

Tux at 7 weeks 28-Sep-09

All females in the area have either been sterilized or are secure and scheduled for very close dates.

All homeless males in the area have been sterilized, and others have been adopted and are scheduled for very close dates.

All dogs of both sexes in the area have been vaccinated for Rabies, Parvo, Distemper, and other local deadly diseases.

Toffee at 7 weeks 28-Sep-09

And all homeless puppies have been adopted, except for Tux and Toffee.   All ready for a healthy life with human companions, we hope to find homes for these adorable little boys very soon.  Until then, they are waiting in a volunteer’s foster home.

Las Cavernas will continue to be a daily Ayuda feeding station, including support from the local merchants and workers.  New arrivals to the area will be surveyed and planned for necessary treatments according to their needs and conditions.

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Moving East from Las Cavernas, a new nest of roaming ferals has been discovered and pre-op activities immediately begun.

Everyone pictured below has been scheduled for Ayuda Treatments this week.  From all we have been able to determine in our preliminary survey work, these are all homeless dogs who live near the boat docks and forage for their food along the streets and garbage dumpsters.  This is merely the first group of scheduled patients from this new nest of opportunities recently discovered.

May 26-Sep-09

Toro. We hope he doesn't have cancer. 29-Sep-09

Samba 29-Sep-09

As gentle as he is, El Viejo shows the scars of many street fights. 29-Sep-09

Pablo. This poor guy may be going in for extended care treatment for a number of health issues. 29-Sep-09

Dinga on her way to treatments 23-Sep-09

Sweet little Dinga is yet another homeless dog who lives around the docks.

Besides having her own interesting story to tell, we are proud to declare Dinga as our official First Dog in support of the grant we were recently awarded to sterilize 500 animals.

Dinga and several of her friends just received the standard Ayuda treatments, bringing our countdown to T minus 495, and counting.

Judging from her young teeth, we estimate Dinga to be about 2 years old.  From the condition of other parts of her body, it would seem like she has had 3 or more litters.  She is one more perfect example of the many shy and sweet  Guatemalan chuchos who wander the streets and alleys in search of food and family.

According to her human neighbors, Dinga was hit by a truck around the middle of August.  This accident happened at a time when she was very pregnant and perhaps hours away from delivering.  She apparently went into instant labor as the neighbors described her as “exploding”.

Dinga and Rojolito first discovered 5-Sep-09

Only Dinga and one of her puppies survived the truck.  She took the puppy deep into las cavernas and hid him until he could come out on his own.

We call the puppy Rojolito.  He is scheduled for treatment next week when he is a bit older.   We are happy to report that Rojolito has a family willing to adopt him.

And we are happy to report that Rojolito’s mother, Dinga, can now begin a much healthier life as she leads the way for many more to follow.