Most people if they think of K9 Animal Refuge,  think of it as a dog shelter. With 80 dogs in their care, they are definitely that, but K9 also provide shelter for many cats in their large cattery including the fine felines shown below.

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Please call Hazel at the K9 kennels on 667 638 468 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday to ask about the cats pictured or about the other cats.

Okay, we all know that there are cat people and there are dog people and when it comes to their favourite four legged friend never the twain shall meet. But there are those who love both – the cog or the dat people depending on which kind of furry friend was first in their household.

Much as I love dogs, I have always had cats. Even my very first feline friend gave birth to her kits in my bed when I was only three years old.

I arrived in Tenerife in 2000 from Thailand already kitted out (boom boom) with two furry friends that I brought with me. The venerable Boodle (originally Kitten Caboodle) who lived to a ripe old 22 years and Chokdi, whose name meant Lucky in Thai, but who was one of the unluckiest creatures I have ever come across.

Chokdi settling in

Chokdi and her littermates had been thrown from a three storey window on to the roof of the outside cludgie  of my Bangkok local, ‘Cheap Charlie’s’. Chokdi was perhaps the least appealing because no one had wanted her and while all the others had been spirited away by CC regulars, Chokdi was left in a cardboard box behind the bar. I took the little scrap home.

In the first week it turned out that she had in-turned eyelashes (ouch!) and a fracture in a back leg – not that it seemed to slow her down any. She got stuck behind the oven and stranded mewling at the top of the curtains on a regular basis. At first very scared and nervous, over time she became  a loud and bossy family member with a short, bright tortoiseshell coat and long legs.

Chokdi getting better (believe it or not).

When we went on holiday, the cats went into the care of a local vet. Apart from being mightily pee’d off with us for leaving her there, Boods was fine, Fergus just as fat and contented but poor Chokdi had been struck by a dreadful flesh-eating type disease.  Her beautiful soft fur was peeling off in long, raw tatters, her ears had begun to disintegrate and she was covered in gentian violet. Had we been much longer the vet would have put Chokdi down.

At home with us she recovered slowly although it took a long time  and her ears never looked right again.

Skye and Chokdi just chilling.

The two cats settled into Tenerife very quickly and neither were phased by the addition of a puppy boxer a couple of months later. Everything was great for a year or so until the night Chokdi picked up poison outside. She went into convulsion and died in pain shortly after. My poor soi baby had been through a lot in her short life but she had known love, a full belly and a warm bed which is more than many get in this life so maybe she wasn’t so unlucky after all.

Chokdi died about nine years ago so you might wonder where this trip down memory lane came from.  Well, except for the most recent addition to our family, Mia, who was given to me by a friend, every cat I have ever owned has been from a shelter or was a street stray.  Every one of them has been a wonderful family member and dearly loved friend and none have had any health problems whatsoever except for Chokdi. I just would never consider paying money for a purebred cat when there are all these fantastic waifs and strays out there just wanting someone to take them in.

The good people at K9 asked me to remind TT readers that they have a cattery which is  bursting wth great felines just  waiting for you to take them home. Please don’t miss the next post which will be all about the K9 cats….just remember not to call your new feline friend Lucky!

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!

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.