Playa's Story -Mary Greenan The quickest adoption ever !!!!!
The first week of October I was on vacation with my daughter (Doggie Mom). As usual we went to dog wash on Saturday. Two litters of puppies had been born the night before and they weren’t doing very well. That evening we were going to dinner with a group of Peanut Pet Shelter fans including Andy and Jen.
We
were sitting on the beach watching the sun go down when Andy and Jen
arrived. Jen was cuddling something in her hands which I assumed was a
puppy that was not doing well so she had brought it to hand feed it.
Just then it meowed.
In
her hands was an orange tabby kitten about 3 inches long. It could
barely crawl and probably had just opened its’ eyes. Jen told us the
story that a small Mexican boy had flagged them down asking for help.
He had found the kitten in the weeds without siblings or a Mom.
As
I cuddled this minute ball of life, she looked up at me and I knew I
had to be her mommy and take her home. She was too young to fly so for
the next couple of weeks she was fostered by a wonderful couple who are
living in a motor home on the beach. (Lucky them). Linda (Doggie Mom)
was going to Playa for the fundraiser in Nov. so she brought the kitten
home to Houston and the following weekend she brought her home to
Chicago.
Playa
now lives with her family, Murray a Maltese, Corky a boston terrier,
Dakota a Siamese cat, Rascal a grey tabby and Cally a calico cat. Playa
is a sweetheart. She is however confused not knowing if she is a cat or
a dog. She is crazy about her siblings and believe it or not they have
accepted her as if she has always been here. My 3 level house is
utter chaos most of the time as they will chase each other up and down
all three levels. I know I have made a difference in Playa’s life but she has also made a difference in mine. I named her Playa that day on the beach.
My granddaughter calls her that crazy Mexican cat.
Luna Maya - Rebecca and Steve
My name is Rebecca and this is the story of Luna Maya - a Méxican street dog
born on the streets of Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, México. She was fortunate
enough to be rescued and brought to the Peanut Pet Shelter in Playa del Carmen.
Her breed and history are not well known as is the case with so many of the dogs
you see all over México. As in many developing countries, dogs and cats are
often left to fend for themselves.
Our recent trip to Playa Del Carmen included a
day at the doggie wash on Saturday at the Peanut Shelter.
We didn’t really have
any plans to adopt but as soon as I saw this sweet wittle puppy with his two
siblings I new he was meant for us !
Now the problem was to convince my wife
that we NEEDED this puppy to come home with us as a playmate for our other dog
at home back in the states.
I had to come up with a good reason because before
we left home we had already decided to do the wash but that by NO means were we
adopting a puppy.
Well I devised a plan
and with the help of Andy and two days of HARD negotiating we finally convinced
her that we needed to help the shelter by giving this sweet baby a new home
back in Nebraska !
I had often wondered how hard this entire process would be, getting the
necessary paperwork, shots, vets ok that the pet doesn’t have anything wrong
that would prevent it from traveling abroad etc. etc. What I came to realize is
this.... when Andy says you have NOTHING to worry about and that he would take
care of all of that he means exactly that ! We didn’t have to do a thing, Andy
took care of everything and we were set to go home with our NEW baby ! Andy is
even so kind to give you a ride to the airport and walk right up to the
check-in counter just to make sure everything goes ok and you are ready to head
home, he even let us borrow a carrier to take our baby home !
There was NO problem going through security or customs, they will check your
puppies passport papers ( provided by Andy ) at customs when you arrive at your
countries entry point and that's it ! This little guy was used to 90 degree
weather so once we got home to temps of 25 degrees "F" he was not
really "thrilled" but he's doing just fine ! "Taco" is only
8 weeks old so we are in the process of "potty training" him and he
is doing amazingly well !! We purchased a sweater for him to wear outside in
the cold weather and he looks absolutely adorable and funny at the same time !
The whole process is such a breeze.... the ONLY thing we had to do was to call
the airline and make a reservation for Taco everything else is done FOR YOU by
Andy !
Thank You Andy and Jen ! Our wittle Taco is doing just fine !
Freddie
Rescues Me
by Jim Carr, Playa del Carmen
Have you ever laid awake at 3:00AM,
wondering what is in store for you today?
Same old drag, eat breakfast, read a newspaper, or watch CNN on
television. My life was boring.
Then along came Freddie. He was my savior. A nine year old, half blind
Cocker Spaniel with big floppy ears, brown eyes and a brownish red coat
of fluffy long hair.
I first met Freddie a few months ago. My spouse encouraged me
to join a troupe of dog loving people who meet once a week to bathe,
trim, and give hugs and human love to nearly 40 or 50 dogs and puppies who reside at
the Peanut Pet Shelter on the west side of highway 307 in Playa del
Carmen.
Freddie was one of the few dogs I was privileged to bathe.
He stood patiently while my companion and
I scrubbed and showered this proud canine.
Upon being released after drying, he proceeded to roll in the dirt,
prompting everyone's laughter. I knew then that I wanted to adopt this
dear proud dog.
Freddie came to the Peanut Pet Shelter after being abused for months by
his previous owner. Adopting Freddie was easy. I just had to promise to
love and care for him by giving him a good home.
Freddie has been with us for three months. The best 3 months since I
arrived in Mexico. He needs limited care and has given my life purpose.
I look forward to my mornings and the many hours sitting, walking,
talking and sharing love with my savior.
You too can be rescued by a pet from the
shelter.
Peso
Goes to North Carolina by Chris, Joe and Sebastian,
Greensboro, NC
While I was researching Playa del Carmen
before our Thanksgiving trip I came across the Peanut Pet Shelter. We
had been looking for a dog for about six months but hadn't found just
the right one.
When I read that across the border adoptions are easy it just felt
right.
In preparation for the
trip I checked airline regulations(each one have different rules) and
bought a collapsible dog carrier. US Airways only allow carry on dogs
from Mexico so I knew it had to be a smaller dog or puppy.I bought a
medium sized Sherpa carrier because they are allowed by all the
airlines. I also made a reservation for a dog on our return trip
because they only allow a certain number of dogs on each flight. The
cost was only 80 dollars and was payable upon check in.
We went to the shelter on a Saturday
morning during 'bath time', it's quite a sight, the assembly line of
dog bathing.
Somebody handed my husband, Joe, a shaking , scrawny and scared puppy
that had just arrived and it was an instant love connection.With total
certainty he declared that this was our puppy even though we hadn't
looked at the other dogs!
Jennifer and Andy had his shots done and a
vet certificate ready for us when we picked him up (about five days
later) on the way to the airport. They also gave us a natural sedative
to keep him calm during the trip.
We had no problems with the airline or customs, it was quite simple.
There's no telling of his breed, so I made up my own, Mexican street
dog. Everybody should have one since he's incredibly smart, funny and
sweet. (and handsome)
We named him Peso and he has been neutered
and micro chipped. He's also getting used to the colder climate in
North Carolina, thankfully it's almost spring.
Lenny's
Story
by Rick Cole, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Having been involved in the Peanut Shelter
since its inception, I have fallen in love with quite a few of the
pups. How can one not? However, because of my circumstances, I could
not adopt. I could only get my fix when I visited the shelter.
Late last spring, another pup caught my
eye.
A pup that came into the shelter as a
newborn in February of 08 and was shortly thereafter re-homed. I can’t
specifically remember him coming into the shelter. So many young ones
come in and it’s so easy to be drawn to all of them.
But after six months he was returned to
the shelter. I do remember that. Lenny.
I told Andy and Jen that this would one day be my dog I just didn’t
know when. If anyone came in with an eye on Lenny, Andy and
Jen would graciously say that Lenny was spoken for. This went on for
months and at times I realized that I would have to give up my hold on
Lenny, only because I could not commit to adopting him.
Well, circumstances changed in October. With the bad comes the good. I
moved into town and was able to bring Lenny home. There is a lot to be
said about one’s pup becoming your best friend. He is mine. I’ve had
many dogs in my time, and loved them all, but Lenny has touched me like
no other. And apparently has touched many others, as well.
Our story is not unique. The pups at the shelter are craving the
attention of a loving owner. They will repay that love over and over.
Lenny's Big Beach Day
Lenny's
Ladies - He has become quiet the celebrity here in Playa
Tommy's
Story
by Vieve, Philadelphia, USA
In the spring of 2007, Andy and Jen, two
of the nicest people I’ve ever met, were starting a shelter in Playa
del Carmen, Mexico.
The shelter started because Heather (a
really nice lady from playa.info)
found a litter of five puppies and their mother at a construction site
and told everyone on playa.info
about it. Then Andy and Jen came to the rescue and took the puppies
into their home.
They even had to feed them by bottle in the beginning.
My Mom and I looked at some pictures of the one they named Tommy on the
internet and we both thought he was adorable.
My Dad said that for an extremely, wonderful, belated birthday present
for me that we could get him. My Mom flew down to Mexico adopt him as
soon as possible so he would still fit under a seat on the plane.
I couldn't go because I couldn't miss school.
At first when she got there and saw him he was shy, but he eventually
came and let her pet him. Then he started playing hide-and-seek with
her. He still loves to play games!
When it was time to take Tommy home she had to put in a pet carrier and
fit him safely under the seat in front of her. He was so good for the
entire 4 hour flight.
When she got to the Philadelphia airport and went to immigration Tommy
hopped out of the carrier, peed on the floor and hopped back in his
carrier like a really good dog.
All the people in Immigration cracked up. Everyone there said he was so
smart because he looked like he was listening and understanding what
everyone was talking about.
I finally met him in a waiting/ food court
area.
I saw my mom walk through the doors and I ran right to her. She let
Tommy out and I hugged him and he licked me everywhere.
On the way home Tommy was crying because he missed his brother Bernie,
Andy, Jen and Playa, but when he got to his new house he immediately
seemed to feel like he belonged.
Now it’s two years after we brought him
home and he has a great life.
Tommy is really funny- he likes to play games, chase sticks and go for
runs.
He knows lots of words like hug and dance- he will even stand on his
hind legs to dance with you! He is a part of our family and I am really
glad we found him.
