Even before the economic crisis Tenerife’s animal  shelters struggled to feed the animals they had in their charge. Now though, in the current economic climate things are even worse and the need for funds to care for the animals that have been abandoned or have strayed is desperate.

The shelters are already full to bursting and yet they are somehow supposed to struggle on with more animals in their care and no funding. The shelters have no more room and no more money. They need help – and they get next to none of that from the government here in Tenerife.

The shelters raise money through charity events, car boot sales and by donations. If you can help in any way, please call K9 on 608 121 081 (Eng) or 670 845 243 (Esp).

Tenerife’s abandoned dogs have their own blog which publishes news on current events, forthcoming fundraisers, etc. If you want more information on the various shelters, vets, trainers, dog kennels, Tenerife Dogs is the place to go.

The dog that you threw from the window as you drove past K9 Animal Refuge today ran its heart out to try to to catch up with you. It tried so hard to get to you that it was out of sight by the time the alarm was raised and the people of K9 were not able to catch it.

Your ‘best friend’ will be spending the night alone, in the hills or perhaps on the roadside of the TF1, terrified, cold, hungry and very likely soaked to the skin. Perhaps if he makes it through the night , he will be found and brought back to safety tomorrow.

On the other hand, perhaps you will drive past his dead body tomorrow on your way north to pick up your kids’ Christmas or Three Kings presents from Carrefour or Decathalon. I only hope that in amongst the glittering display of regalos that you have for your children this year, that there are none with a pulse and a beating heart.

Still, perhaps you can console yourself and justify your cowardly act in knowing you are not alone. Your heartless betrayal has been seen and recorded many times before. In fact, just the other day I came across a poem by Robert William Service – the Bard of the Yukon – which practically mentions you by name.

They dumped it on the lonely road,
Then like a streak they sped;
And as along the way I strode
I thought that it was dead:
And then I saw that yelping pup
Rise, race to catch them up.

You know how silly wee dogs are.
It thought they were in fun.
Trying to overtake their car
I saw it run and run:
But as they faster, faster went,
It stumbled, sore and spent.

I found it prone upon the way;
Of life was little token.
As limply in the dust it lay
I thought its heart was broken:
Then one dim eye it opened and
It sought to lick my hand.

Of course I took it gently up
And brought it to my wife
Who loves all dogs, and now that pup
Shares in our happy life:
Yet how I curse the bastards who
Its good luck never knew!

So there we were, obviously a shifty looking crew, me, two kids, a grandmother and a big daft dog with a halter-type face mask on. We were plodding along the street at snail’s pace, the dog, huge as he is was neither pulling nor showing any interest in anything other than his ‘weans’ as he likes to keep an eye on them when they are gadding about.

On the other side of the street, a wee hairy mop of a dog was yapping its head off and slinging bribes in our direction, but Tito, to his credit, didn’t blink an eye at it.

That didn’t stop a police car from coming to a stop a couple of feet ahead of us and the coppers inside it, giving me a stern talking to about the fact the dog didn’t have a muzzle on. Actually the face mask he was wearing gives me more control than a muzzle would and also effectively pulls his mouth shut if there were to be any trouble. The pc on the other side of the car got our and bobbed about shouting that this was a dangerous dog. “No, he’s not!” my mother scoffed while Tito threw himself to the ground with a huge sigh of boredom.

Only a couple of days before an elderly lady had been mugged in the area by three local boys on a scooter. One got her round the neck, while a second grabbed her bag. In total they got away with about €150 in booty but they left the woman feeling very shaky and upset. Worst of all is that the locals say even the police know who the wee thugs are but can’t touch them because they are under 16.

Meanwhile, Tito’s eyes had glazed over and he rolled on his side totally disgusted with this interruption to our pleasant family walk. We were finally let off the hook after being threatened with a steep fine and assorted dire penalties if the dog was not wearing a muzzle the next time they saw me with him.

Do you think it would have made a difference if I told the police that Tito was under 16?

Poor Tito. He hasn’t had the life of a dog since Mia, the evil attack cat arrived. It all started innocently enough with a bit of cat and mouse with Tito’s tail. At first he thought it was fun and would lay there like a big lummox flicking the end of his tail for the baby to chase:

But then unbeknownst to us, she started messing with his mind.

“You are feline very slllleeeeepy.”

Soon the evil attack cat was laying in wait for Tito all round the house. If he walked past a dining chair – pow.

If he wandered over to see if Mum was at the desk – Yaaargh!

The attacks were both vicious – Kruuuunch…

And wierd…

Inevitably, it all became a bit too much for poor Tito who started to lose his nerve. “Look out Tito, she’s behind you!”

Nooooooooooo!

Tito tried and tired to tell his people but hard as he shouted for help they could not understand.

Mia, the evil attack cat, curled up next to her human and was satisfied … for now.

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).