BMA Clinic Report - January 11, 2020

Our first clinic of 2020 was a record breaker: 30 animals!

It was not our intention to treat so many animals but a succession of decisions kept leading us further down the path of a long day.

We learned a lot: that our best efficiency is when we limit our treatment to 22-25 animals, that we must take good care of one another, not just the animals to make a good clinic and that prioritizing must not be compromised. It is very hard to say "no" but for the good of the most it is necessary.

I have such respect for Nena and Kenny who started and ended the clinic in the dark - more than 12 hours. Nena never lost her smile or willingness to do what was needed.

BMA has outstanding volunteers: Minerva, her niece and Nena had 12 post-op cats to watch over. Jenny, Leslie, Lorraine, spent all afternoon with 18 dogs in succession. That's a lot of up and down, on the ground and running around! And the quality of their attention should be mentioned - each animal is given sensitive attention to their unique characteristics. Barb and Mel came late in the afternoon to give us some relief.

I want to mention Minerva especially because she cleaned the bathroom and mopped the portico, clipped palm branches and kept busy with many things...so thoughtful. She cared for the animals and the ones caring for the animals.

Dr B is always the same: steady, calm, present, and generous - on his feet for 30 straight surgeries.
Ana, always moving, prepped and checked on animals before and after surgery, her eyes are on individual animals through the entire process, beginning to end.

This clinic was tough and humbling. It's not about breaking records, but always to learn and personally grow. BMA is more than a project - it's an alchemy of character, energy and intelligence of volunteers in service to others. Let's take good care of the ones who make our little piece of the world better.

BRAVO, BMA! Y GRACIAS A TODOS!

BMA Clinic Report – December 14, 2019

Published w. translation & pictures on the FB page. 

BMA Clinic Report – December 14, 2019

December's clinic was a day of many blessings - some hidden.

The BMA team is in preparation a week before the clinic. We have to replenish supplies and confirm who will be volunteering and reminding our clients of their appointments. Despite the best laid plans, things change. Feeling pretty confident of what was ahead, I forgot to bring the appointment sheets....so much effort to be efficienct only to be humbled by forgetting the crux of our clinic. No problem, I was 10 minutes late but Nena, Ana and Jenny greeted me with laughter and hugs. 

By 11 am we only had 14 animals. Nine of our appointments didn't show so we announced the availability over the loudspeaker in town and in a few minutes we were up to 21!

The benefits of working as a team is that we share the big jobs.  Many hands make light work.

Yesterday, some people brought in a most pitiful, neglected dog hoping that someone would adopt her and then left her on our doorstep, abandoned by the people who brought her in. 

There was a poodle under there somewhere under an impenetrable mat, an armor of filth, fleas and ticks. She also had an injured leg and paw. It seemed impossible to liberate her but a little army of caregivers hovered over her with scissors, razors and comfort - what a combination!  It took a couple of hours and was a bit of trauma that we all shouldered but we slowly whittled her out of that horrible shell. We found a feather imbedded in the mat as if a bird mistook her for a nest! And there was a nursery of ticks and fleas, flora and fauna. Her ears, legs and tail were so heavy-laden she could move freely. Finally, underneath was a white poodle-dog with trusting eyes and yielding disposition. Who knew? We all loved her and we loved each other too because we saved her together. Katherine took her home to bathe and continue the good care.

And so, we created our own little Christmas story of peace and goodwill. Thank you, each and everyone of you for all that you do for the sake of animals. When we care for the most neglected we do ourselves and the world a favor. Persistence, patience and love can turn the tide. 

BMA Clinic Report - November 9, 2019

This was one of the hottest clinics I can remember...and it's November!

The night before the clinic, our latest rescue, a wolf-dog, began looking for a cave and by 8 pm she was birthing. I had to go to bed early to be ready for the clinic so Wally camped out and helped her with the births. I woke up at 4 am to 2 little wolf cubs and to give Papa Wally some relief and there were chores to be done before heading for the clinic.

Nena, Chemo, Kenny and Ana had a beautiful full setup by the time I got there and there were two early clients checked in. I love starting the clinic that way. How wonderful to have a capable, dependable team that early in the day.

I worried that I had overbooked the day. Now I fully understand how Anne rarely said "no" to anyone who needed an appointment. Before I left my driveway this morning, my neighbor was asking for 3 appointments for 3 female cats. I already had 24 confirmed appointments but how could I say no when I did the numbers...so I said yes. As it often goes, the ones I think are coming for sure, didn't show. In the end, as always, it all worked out. We treated 9 female cats, 6 female dogs and 4 male dogs. 19 plus 2 consultations was a full enough day.

We had a most wonderful surprise mid-morning. We received something we have been longing for for a long, long time: a pet scale! A wonderful, pet scale! Steve and Michelle donated the new scale, a large dog crate, a box of dog diapers and box of tick and flea treatment. What can I say - it was like Christmas! This makes our work much easier. Try picking up a 30 kilo dog that you don't know to stand on a 12" x 15" platform. Not fun... No more. The dog stands on the scale alone and it's weight is measured even as it moves all-squiggly on a super large platform - easy-peasy.

Another wonderful thing happened...Kate is back with lunch!  When I told the volunteers they started a hallelujah choral - that's the truth, I kid you not!

After practically abusing our new volunteer, Leslie, last month, she was back for the full day with great loving care for our recovering dogs. She came in with a pitiful pup, belly swollen with parasites and carrying more ticks than a buffalo...not a way for a baby to start a life. She gave the pobrecita a bath and afterwards we had to pick ticks off Leslie! For all her tender heart she's also tough when it comes to caring for animals. We are so happy to welcome her to our community.

Today was another great day, another great clinic.

Thank you everyone. The generous impulse of our community is humbling. It is how we are able to function. We could not begin to do what we do without what you do. This is the wonder of giving. It feels good to give and it makes others want to reciprocate. It is an honor to be in this cycle of giving and receiving. These are lasting and meaningful connections.

Here's a heads up! Next clinic, December 14th, we are having an open house at our BMA clinic site, which is also the Museum. We will be doing what we always do, spaying and neutering, but we will also be having a mini flea market with food! Talk about full-service! We invite our neighbors and friends to come see us at work and gain some deals as a teaser for our upcoming Silent Auction in January. Please lend your support for raising funds for another year's worth of monthly clinics. 

See you next month!

Kenny - worth his weight in gold