Nikki Attree is a talented photographer and digital artist who lives and works in Tenerife (when she’s not surfing). She’s also spokesman for Tenerife’s many abandoned and stray dogs via the website Tenerife Dogs which she set up on behalf of the island’s dog and pet charities.

Nikki has donated her latest digital artwork to Live Arico to sell in the Live Arico Shop in Coral Mar Square, Costa Del Silencio. The small reproduction here does not do the picture justice and you have to admit it is not often you get the chance to get your paws on such a striking and original piece of art.

Proceeds of the sale go to feed and shelter some of the island’s throwaway ‘best friends’.

With the number of abandoned dogs that the shelter groups have to care for in Tenerife there is a constant need for donations of all kinds. It goes without saying that it takes money to keep the dogs fed and sheltered and cash donations are gratefully received but contributions of all kinds including old computers (which can be renovated and resold for a bargain price with all proceeds going to the Live Arico) and any household items or bits and bobs that might be sold at the Live Arico shop in Coral Mar square or at the car boot sales for K9 are also welcome.

Here is a rundown of doggy doings over the next few months with proceeds going to the shelters. The information is blatantly nicked off the Tenerife Dogs website so go there to sign up for a table top sale or participate in any of the events.

LIVE ARICO´S SUMMER FESTIVAL – LOTS GOING ON THIS SUMMER!!!

First up is a ROCK NIGHT on Wednesday the 3rd June at Coral Mar Square AND the Albatros Bar, Costa del Silencio. Soundchaser are confirmed and we are working on more bands for the square and solo acts for the bar. Watch this space.

On Sunday the 7th June, Tramps manager Chris Fleury, 31, will walk from Los Cristianos beach to the top of Mount Teide for Live Arico. He expects it to take 3 days and is looking for sponsors. If you, or your business can sponsor Chris, please call Suzy Q on 629 388102 for a form, or pledge your money in the shop.

On Saturday the 13th June there will be an alternative therapies day and open day at Winter Gardens Spa and Gym. The last event of this kind was a huge success and we expect this will be too. With €5 entrance and then €5 for a taster session of various massages, re-birthing, tarot reading, reflexology etc etc. This will be from 10am – 6pm then the plan is to have some live entertainment outside with charity raffle. Mark this one in your diaries folks.

Coming up – Bowling day at Winter Gardens, 5 a side tournament, and lots more.

DONT THROW OUT YOUR OLD COMPUTER!!! Call Suzy Q on 629 388102 or drop it into the shop, as we can have it repaired and resold free of charge, with the proceeds going to Live Arico.

Meet Basil. He’s the new spokesmutt for Tenerife’s many abandoned and homeless dogs and the go to dog for information of charity events and news about the dog organisations.

You can keep up to date with Basil and his buddies at Tenerife Dogs where you’ll also find all the contact details you need to adopt, foster, donate or disseminate (information).

I am delighted that a report by activists SIRIUS has brought the impact of animal husbandry on the island on tourists to the attention of the government. Apparently Tenerife is seen as ‘third-world’ for its treatment of animals. Okay.

I wonder though about the extent of cruelty that was inflicted on the fat, wistful beagle mix that Canarias 24 Hora used to adorn their report. If you wanted to be realistic about it I am sure K9 or Live Arico could supply a heartbreaking number of photographs of abandoned and maltreated animals that would be a better representation of animal cruelty on the island.

Hell. I could provide a better photo myself using a picture given to me by a friend who bought an abused dog off a bar owner.

Thanks to Pamela Heywood (who has a spooky ability to know everything) for the head’s up on this article and to Perikles for reporting it on Tenerife Forum in the first place.

Every dog lover must have his day and if you are within striking distance of Los Gigantes on Sunday then the Live Arico Fun Dog Show will make yours. Expect lots of fun and games and all in a very good cause.

You’d have to be barking not to go really. For more information you can call Eugenio on 649001907 for information or info@livearico.org.

It costs over €2000 a month to support the dogs currently being cared for at Live Arico. You can help and all you’ve got to do is get yourself to the Live Arico Benefit Night at The Theatre Bar at Garden City, San Eugenio on April 20th from 21:00 hrs and be entertained by the likes of Tanya Tevaro, Nick Page and  Suzy Q.

Go along, have fun and give what you can towards a very good cause.

Other Live Arico News:

25th April : Car boot Puerto Santiago

26th April :  Fun Dog Show Los Gigantes

June 2009 : Live Arico Annual Fun Dog Show, Costa del Silencio.

Call Eugenio 649001907 for information or info@livearico.org

Given that my son has no sense of self preservation at all and will fling himself with no warning from the tallest of walls with just a wild yell and the blind trust that I will catch him, I expect him to collect bruises and scratches the same way he collects interesting stones and leaves.

This, I’m told by my Spanish neighbours, is a typical boy. They think he’s great while I secretly wonder if he was born with a screw loose. But even as I cringe at the antics of my wild child, I know that the bumps and scrapes he is accumulating are a normal part of growing up. I cannot imagine what life must be like as the mother of a haemophiliac.

Always male, these people are afflicted by a genetic disorder which affects the blood’s ability to clot. In severe cases a small scratch may bleed for months or never heal at all. Worrying as external injuries may be, a bang to the head or joints can cause internal bleeding that can be fatal.

Nowadays, children with haemophilia have a normal life expectancy thanks to blood clotting agents and other medical intervention but normal life expectancy is not the same as a normal life. These children and their families need support in coping with this illness.

A Benefit Dinner is being held in Restaurant El Bosque in Tacaronte on Saturday 14th March. Tickets are €22 and raffle prizes include trips, hotle stays and dinners. It sounds like a good night in a great cause as proceeds will go to AHETE, the Asociación de Hemofilia en la Provincia de Santa Cruz de Tenerife.