Beaten. Slapped. Kicked. Pushed outside. Raining. Head down. Tail down. Cowering. Pregnant. A wet, torn, muddy rag by a box. Left over bones rotting. Ants. Rough hands. Snarling abuse. Another kick. Not the chain. Please! Licking her wounds. Pawing the sodden cloth even closer. It keeps on happening. When will it stop? Feeding her babies, when they come, if she can. But they will disappear. Left alone. Again. Maybe tomorrow will be different. They’ve forgotten whatever it is I was supposed to do. Or not? May even pat me, give me a small piece of meat. Say good things to me. Maybe. Maybe not. Time passes.
I have been dumped somewhere by a lixo bin. A huge storm. I manage to snuggle underneath an old wooden box. My babies moving. They’ll be coming soon. The sound of a car. My owner coming back for me? Maybe, maybe not. I am wet and hungry. Whatever did I do, to get into this terrible mess? I’m worried about the babies.
“Here girl.” A soft pleasant voice. “It’s ok. I’m here to help you.” Someone moving towards me. I pull back into the shadow of the bin. A hand, some food. I’m so tired. So wet. So cold. Please. Help me! “Come on little girl. We won’t hurt you.” A car door opening. Hands lifting me. Gently. Caring. A white coat. “She’s a mess. Pregnant. Looks like a broken back leg. Covered in tics and sores. Babies due any minute.” Jenny pats the small dog’s head. “Don’t worry little girl. We’ll sort you out!” She and the vet nod. “We’ll find them good homes.” A weak tail wags.
In memoriam: Misty, Foxy, Gemma, Fergie. Endless list of the grateful.
Diaries: Christmas Fair Convent’Bio Lagoa, November 8 and 9, APAA Stall, Friday, November 8,10.00am-4.00pm. Goodies galore, loads of stalls! ‘Ferragudo Fair’ Car Boot Sale, Sunday, November 10 and December 8, commencing 8.00am! Dinner and Dance Fonta da Pedra, November 23, 7.30pm, popular ‘Poor Man’s Band’. Menu: Couverts, Beef Stew or Bacalhau com Natas, Vegetarian Pasta dish. Desserts, wine, beer water and coffee. 27.50€ members/30€ Non. Book now. December 12 at Recanto dos Mouros lunch! Carmen Danen will be singing. Menu, price TBA.
APAA’s charity shops Alvor and Silves. House, garden, patio and special pressies. Tote-bags Christmas Bargains, special treats. Don’t miss out on the home-made goodies Jenny’s jams, preserves, pickles and marmalades. Jackie’s scrummy short-bread cookies. (Also at ‘Pop-Ups’) All Association for Protection of animals Algarve’s funds: SNiP (Spaying & Neutering Programme) & abandoned animals.
Facebook auction: November 8-16 Even if you only spend a few euros, it will help either APAA or Algarve Emporium Charity.
Contact: Help info.apaaportugal@gmail.com
Events info: events.apaaportugal@gmail.com
Emporium Facebook Auction: https://www.facebook.com/groups/594035701307971
