{mosimage}On Sunday, August 19th, the McKee Foundation, and local volunteers conducted a Spay & Neuter Campaign in El Valle de Anton.

It was a great success, we neutered and spayed 26 dogs from the El Valle area. One cute little male dog even made the trip up from Coronado, thanks to his chauffeur & guardian Sheila Scott.

Twenty six dogs..., what impact will this have on the streets of El Valle?  How many fewer homeless, unwanted, sick dogs?  One female can have 2 litters a year, over a life span of 4-10 years? Thats alot of dogs!

We had a great support staff from the people from El Valle; xpats and long time native Vallarios. Everyone put in a long day: checking the dogs in, sedating, shaving, assisting the wonderful vet Dr Alexis, carrying the dogs from pre-op to post op areas, and  sitting beside the dogs  until they came out of the anesthesia. Here we sat with the owners,  massaging the chest area as we were instructed, hand feeding water & milk on loving fingers, and whispering loving verbal encouragement (in Spanish and English!) to the patients.

 Once the dogs came around, we realized most people had walked to town with their pets and had no way to get the groggy patients home, so car owners jumped in and offered their services to return the families back home.

Elsa from the McKee Foundation provided lectures both pre and post op about the care and health of pets. Her wonderful husband Jon Pierre was everywhere all day helping and photographing the entire days events.

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The vet Dr Alexis never tired, he started at 0830, took but a few minutes to eat a quick lunch, (while talking to pet owners), and finished the last dog about 6:30. He really really cares about informing Panamanians about animal care and reducing the suffering of animals here.

I can't express what I saw Sunday. The local people who stood in line (some for several hours) waiting their turn with their dear dogs beside them. I saw real concern in their eyes, worrying about their family pet, and oh...., the smiles and relief on their faces when they joined their dogs after surgery! One older man's endless cooing and comforting words to his dear friend brought tears to my eyes. This man truly loved his dog.

And then there was Fluffy, the biggest dog of the day weighing in at a whopping 80 lbs. I think Fluffy is a Great Dane mix, and the Dr wanted to do her last. Her owners; 2 young men in their 20's stuck around ALL day with her. You would have thought both of these young men were awaiting the birth of their first child! The worry in their eyes, the floor pacing, and the joy once they were reunited in post-op!

It was a great day for El Valle.

For more information on the McKee Foundation, visit: http://groups.msn.com/McKeePanama,
or contact Becky Thormahlen at The golden Frog Inn in El Valle.

{mosimage} Playacommunity note**
Shiela Scott brought Chester from the Equestrain Center to be spayed. He is doing well.