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Jamie, a True Inspiration to the VIDAS Crew.
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“You have to see where he lives” said June, a local volunteer who had been in the trenches with us the entire weekend. She was speaking of Jaime, the man with the kind eyes and winning smile. He was a regular at our clinic in Playa del Carmen this weekend, bringing 8 animals to be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, de-wormed and treated. He would arrive with several in tow at time, often with a cat on his head or shoulders. He was always polite, waiting his turn in the throngs of people in line to help their animals. He was so grateful that he would literally hug us and tell us how much good we were doing and how happy he was that we could help him to help the animals. He had brought us chocolate as a measure of gratitude that first morning – a perfect gift for a group of women working all day with few if any breaks. He had also made us the most beautiful shells cut from a conch shell, to use as pendants for necklaces. It was a gesture I will never forget. It made all the sacrifice and heart ache that goes a long with this work worthwhile. Jaime cared for the animals, and Jaime appreciated us.
It was with the help of Irving, (a local child with a story all his own) that on the second night in Playa, we journeyed with two of Jaime’s adult dogs to his home. It was getting late and we needed to head back to prepare for the next day’s clinic. Irving helped us to navigate through the pot-holed streets in the dark to where Jaime lived. When we arrived we were astounded. Jaime did not have a house so much as a lean-to. Tarps and old hair dresser signs made up the frame of this tent-like structure. Several dogs were tied up nearby, and cats darted here and there wary of us- the strangers arriving. We could see that yesterday’s patients were resting comfortably, and this gave us a sense of satisfaction, knowing that Jaime was following our post-operative instructions of keeping the animals calm and well cared for.
The only area of the lean-to that could support a standing person was fitted with a hanging light bulb with electricity from an extension cord that came from a nearby building. Inside this area was a brightly painted blue chair where Jaime’s clients sat for their haircuts. I had heard that he was a hair dresser and on the way here, I had even asked Irving if one or two of the shops we passed were Jaime’s. I could not have been more wrong. A mirror rested on one of the boards that made up a back wall, and stuck on the edge of it was a picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On a shelf to the right were some hair combs and grease for styling, as well as a birdcage with two small birds. It was clear that Jaime was an animal lover. My heart lit up when I saw our vaccination booklet proudly displayed – Jaime cared for these animals when he had so little to care for himself! On the ground were various fish heads and other forms of food for all the animals. Irving informed me that Jaime went to the local restaurants and took the food they could not use to feed his animals.
Jaime kept his dogs tied up, a measure of responsibility that would certainly save their lives. Playa del Carmen is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. The local government is faced with a serious problem of what to do with all the dogs and cats in the streets. Many are “owned”, but allowed to roam free where they can procreate and spread disease. Children often run around the streets barefoot where they can easily fall prey to migrating parasites which can cause them to go blind or worse. Faced with this epidemic the city has just built a new “pound” located 20 minutes outside of town when traveling by car. The dog catchers are actively seizing these dogs. The dogs they grab are often ill or accustomed to people, and therefore easier to catch. These animals are sacrificed three days after arrival.
Jaime was not around that night. We knew that he had two more dogs that needed to be operated on. Unfortunately the school in the Colosio part of Playa del Carmen was not available for us the next day, which made it necessary for us to move the clinic across town. We decided that we needed to help Jaime and we would pick up and return his animals for him, knowing that it would be impossible for him to reach us without a car.
When we arrived the next day Jaime was there with one of his clients. He was very happy to see us, and allowed us to take some photos of him. I told him that I would like to write up his story for our website, that I was so glad that he was there to help all the animals. I hope that one day he can see this story, and see his smile and kind eyes the way that I do. He is the spirit of Mexico and the soul of an animal lover. He gives of himself freely, sharing his meager shelter and supplies with the many animals that he has adopted. He wants to end the suffering of homeless dogs and cats, and he joined us in this effort by allowing us to treat all of his animals. Thank-you Jaime, you are truly an inspiration.
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A Day At the VIDAS Clinic, May 2004
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May 2004 Clinic- A Successful Team Effort!
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Solita’s story
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