Yesterday evening we were driving around the colonias of T.J. looking for homeless dogs to help – with food or flea medicine and whatnot – we spotted a Dalmatian looking for food in the previously bustling city streets. She was scrounging through the aftermath of a swap meet. I went up to her; it was obvious that she was nursing because of her enlarged breasts. Also, it was obvious that she wasn’t – at least has not always been – homeless because of the collar that was loose on her neck due to her emaciation. She sniffed the dry food and dog biscuits that I amply piled on the floor and passed it over for what seemly smelled better to the famished canine. She rummaged through a pile of trash and removed a sealed bag of broken eggs. Proud with her accomplishment she strode, tail wagging, through the streets. It was such an interesting sight to behold. Nature’s hand was clearly at work, the hungry mother knew what she needed to do, get some nourishment and return to her puppies. I clamored back into the car as Susie followed the mother though the traffic as if we were tailing a fugitive. Turn after turn we managed to catch fleeting glimpses of her and her prize as she nonchalantly strode home. Eventually she reached her destination, an iron gated façade left ajar by an apparent hasty exit – perhaps by the fleeting mother on her excursion. She sat on the dirty sidewalk trying to pierce the bag of eggs. Apparently the taste that she experienced was not as she expected and she abandoned the jelly like sack. I once again tried to entice her with the dry dog food and she eagerly devoured the pile this time. Meanwhile, while the mother was eating, Susie was looking for the owners. She yelled to get the attention of the owners of the dog. Unsuccessful, she ventured past the gate and peered inside seeking any sign of habitation. She discovered there was some sore of party ensuing in the rear, behind the house, of the larger-than-average parcel of land. She was unable to get the attention of the party-goers. We were somewhat disheartened at the fact that these people have at least some money as they can buy spirits and afford to entertain but not provide proper nourishment to a mother dog that her ribs were very visible. After discussing the current state of affairs briefly with Susie I saw a shimmer of movement in the back of the path leading around the house. I told Susie and she called out to the individual. It was a small girl clothed in a soiled pink shirt and blue jeans. After learning that the Dalmatian was hers she asked the whereabouts of the puppies. We found them stashed under a lean-to fashioned out of a screen door; no blanket or shelter whatsoever. “These puppies are going to die like this” Susie said matter-of-factly. The squalor seen every day in the hills of T.J. acclimatizes one to conditions such as this. Almost everyone that I know in the U.S. would cry and not be clearheaded in such a situation; Susie gets into action. She told the girl to get her parents. After the father came out Susie talked to him and told him various things that were necessary for the health of canine family. She knows better not to scold the people as that will get her nowhere. She tries to educate them and appeal to what they can understand. For instance, telling the many owners of dogs without water available for their dogs, or providing only a small amount daily “Well don’t you get thirsty? You wouldn’t want to have only a glass of water once a day.” She placed the puppies on a blanket, elevating them from the slightly damp dirt floor that they were on.

After talking at length to the man, telling him that she will bring a large bag of food tomorrow for the mother and leaving 2 boxes of biscuits for the interim, he agreed to keep the puppies until they are weaned. This is another large problem in Mexico. Litter after litter of puppies are distributed to friends and family – or worse yet thrown on the street. These puppies, as I’m sure you know, contribute the overpopulation problem. Susie convinces these people to save the puppies and give them to her so she can find a proper home (and get them spayed/neutered of course); hopefully lessening the mushrooming problem. Of course, just taking the puppies is just putting a band-aid on an amputation; unless the mother is spayed nothing will really be solved. When the time is right for the dog she will facilitate the spaying of her as well.