Our community service day

As part of my homeschooling curriculum, I've decided the kids should spend one morning a week doing community service. Today we went to the Humane Society. If you're a dog freak you're probably aware of the problem here in Puerto Rico with strays. It is estimated that there are over 150,000 "satos" (slang here for strays) in Puerto Rico, and Vieques certainly contributes to the problem. The Vieques Humane Society was started in the 1980's when a group of Americans (ie non-Puerto Ricans) decided to start to tackle the problem of stray, neglected, underfed, abused animals on the island. Right now they have about 70 dogs that they feed, bathe, vaccinate, sterilize, nurse to health, nurture. The VHS is the only place on the island where you can take your own pets for vet services. They rely on donations and on volunteers. Last Saturday, I met an Australian couple who are very dedicated to the cause. In fact, they bring in on average 7 dogs a month to get sterilized.

I had called a number I saw in a local newsletter and spoke with Margo. She and her husband Joe moved here from upstate NY several years ago. They are retired, have a guest house they rent out, and spend 1 day per week volunteering at the VHS. We made arrangements to meet there this morning, and the kids and I would help them walk dogs.

It was quite an experience. The dogs are in small fenced-in areas, grouped according to temperament. Many were in small cages. Gosh they were excited to see us! The kids immediately picked the ones they wanted to take home (my protests were ignored), I took a few pictures, and then we followed Margo & Joe to the back, where they proceeded to round up a few dogs, attach leashes to them, and then they handed one to each of us. Margo had warned me several times to make sure we brought shoes we wouldn't mind messing up, but we're pretty light on shoes here so we really didn't have a choice. Needless to say, the shoes got a good scrubbing when we got home!

We took the dogs for a 15 minute or so walk. We left the premises and went down to the beach, since some dogs really love to play in the waves. The first lot of dogs were very mellow and had no interest in the water, so we took them back and got the next batch. Once again, back down to the beach. These dogs were much more interested in the water, and it was great fun watching them, until Willo got caught by a wave which submerged him up to his ankles, distressing him that now he had wet, sandy shoes. So that was our last round of dog-walking. Margo told me that they walk around 20 dogs each visit, and it distresses her that more dogs don't get to go out for exercise. Also, most of these dogs have never been on a leash, let alone trained, so when she and Joe take them out the dogs get used to being on a leash, and being in the company of humans. This makes them more suitable for domesticity should they get adopted.

We left, and when the kids begged to take a few dogs with us, I told them that was impossible, but hopefully if we tell people how desperate the situation is, they will help by donating money, time, supplies, or by adopting one of these dogs. The dogs were so sweet, friendly, cute!!! I told them it would be great if they talked about them on their blog, and one of their friends back home decided to adopt one and we could take it to them!