Benefit & Speuter Clinic Day 1

[cookie909]

Sunday January 3rd. Flew to Tampa via AirTran, easy flight but packed full. Spent the night with the P’s, then Daddy took me, my sister & my mom to the Clearwater/St.Pete International Airport for our inaugural Locair flight. The plane had mechanical problems so they found us a really, really nice plane to fly over on -- they even made cookies for us! We felt very rich & famous. We were the only 3 on the flight. Arrived early. Smooooooth landing. Weather nice & sunny. We met Andre at the airport, got the rental car from Sea Star and were on our way to Fantasy Villa in Great Cistern Cay, 10 minutes north of Marsh Harbour.

To get to Great Cistern, you have to go through Dundas Town and Murphy Town, local Bahamian villages that most tourists don’t see. The houses may seem rustic, but the few I saw inside were well kept. Met some really nice people. We saw lots of potcakes roaming the streets, our future clients. Most are well fed, but most are also not spayed/neutered….yet!

After getting settled in and unpacking, we went for a bite to eat at Snappa’s, used their free wi-fi, then relaxed in the hot tub overlooking the Sea of Abaco. Snappa’s became our go-to spot every evening at happy hour, for the wi-fi, drinks and propane heaters! And watching the Weather Channel to see all the snow in Atlanta that we were missing.

Pics:
Our cottage porch
Back of cottage
The infamous Hot Tub
Church Chicken
Future Clients
Murphy Town
Keeping Warm

[cookie909]

Monday Jan 4 was our only “tourist” day -- the rest of the week we would be working. First thing was to get a SIM card for the cell phone so I could start making calls for the raffle, concert and clinic. Then we jumped in the car and drove south, stopping to shop at Abaco Neem and the Neem Farm further south. Also went to Pete’s Pub for the best-ever snapper sandwich! Yum!!! And Blasters. We tried to make it to Sandy Point, but got caught up looking for parrots, and looking at the absolutely beautiful pristine beaches from Bahama Palm Shores to Serenity Point. Rushed back to town for groceries, Snappa’s for internet, then back to our villa and the hot tub under the stars.

[cookie909]

On a very windy Tuesday Jan 5 we duct-taped our free spay/neuter clinic signs around Murphy Town, Dundas Town and Marsh Harbor. (Duct tape: don’t leave home without it) At one telephone pole, a big hard plastic thingy came loose, bounced off mom’s head and into my shoulder. Mom has a lump and I have a big bruise. We both said “Ouch!” and then, “We’re really gonna need the Kaliks and that hot tub tonight!” Meanwhile, Nancy sat in the car, oblivious.

Then we drove to Treasure Cay to catch the ferry to Green Turtle Cay, stopped at Karen McIntosh to pick up raffle tickets and money. Then went to New Plymouth Liquor Store and found out that David has retired! Oh no, the end of an era! Genevieve is running the store and doing great, but we sure will miss David there. But, then we ran into him at Miss Emily’s -- what a surprise, it’s a small, small island. We all had a drink together.

[cookie909]

Wednesday Jan 6: Concert Day! Went in the morning to BoatHarbour at Abaco Beach Resort to meet with Robert and Carolyn Wilson, who organized the concert with Banks & Shane. Then we had a delicious breakfast there. Next to Dr. Hanna’s office to pick up crates & traps, and around town to pick up more raffle ticket stubs. Went home to rest and have some cheese and crackers. We dressed up for the concert and drove over to the marina but came back home to change clothes, as it was really cold and windy and the concert was being held in a tent. The concert was a great success -- about 100 people and 2 potcake crashers. Part of the funds will benefit Royal Potcake Rescue, Friends of Abaco Animals, and Abaco Humane Society for the spay/neuter clinics. Banks drew the $10 Grand Prize, Shane drew the $5 Grand Prize, and Mom drew the framed potcake stamps -- winner was Buddy Pinder.

Pictures:
Banks & Shane
Drawing the raffle tickets
A Strange Dancer
Potcake Crashers
Buddy Pinder and his new stamp collection

[cookie909]

Thursday
Met up at the parking lot at Dr. Hanna with Janie from Tilloo Cay and her stepson Rosco who came with his truck to help us trap animals. The first two we trapped were right in the parking lot, a puppy and her mother. Then 3 more at Pop’s Place and more at the Mud and Pigeon Peas. Pulled 4 puppies out from under some houses. Got the momma dogs and took them in for spays. Set a trap for the cat at our cottage but had no luck catching her. It was an all day affair, got a call from Murphy Town for 14 dogs. Many owned dogs & cats were brought in. We helped with cleaning and surgery. Then went to check the internet, drinks, and home for grilled cheese sandwiches and hot tub and bed.
Friday
Up and at it again! Nancy cleaned crates, while Mom kept an eye on the puppies. We brought in more dogs, and trapped more in Murphy Town. Two of the puppies went to a home in Abaco (we brought the other 2 back with us). We stopped trapping around 4 PM, then went home to rest & get ready for our invitation to Robert and Carolyn’s boat for dinner. Pork roast, coconut rice, baked apples, and coleslaw, drinks and ice cream and cookies for dessert. Again hot tub TV and bed!
Saturday
Rainy day. In the morning to Dr. Hanna’s office to release one last dog and pay the bill! Then off to Dr. Baily’s so Nancy could assist with 6 more surgeries, while mom and I cleaned, released animals and ran errands. Home again, but even in the rain we went into the hot tub -- we needed it! Ate a nice omelet and started packing for leaving on Sunday at 10:30. Flew via Locair, nice flight!

IWTYIYBTHAD

Pictures:
Carolyn and Big Daddy, father of lots of pups
Pup in parking lot, just neutered & released!
Dr Hanna
Pops Place -- we're gonna get the rest of them one by one...
Mom watches Chick Pea
Surgery over for one mom, getting ready to be released

[cookie909]

For those of you who bought raffle tickets: THANK YOU
We raised just over $4300 in raffle ticket sales.
Our costs for spaying/neutering 51 animals in these 3 days was $2600.
We will continue!
Thank you all for your support!

Special thanks to:
All who donated raffle ticket prizes
Dr Hanna and Deo
Dr Bailey and Chamara
Robert & Carolyn Wilson
Janie Thompson
Roscoe Thompson
Chris & Molly Roberts
Banks & Shane
Everyone who brought in a pet for spay/neuter
and everyone else who helped!

[haziewaller]

great work judy! education about animal populations is SO important. keep spreading the word!!
i hate to mention is so soon, but will there be another fund raising effort before the April clinic?

[Patti Puzo]

You're an angel.

[BahamaAngie]

Great report. Lots of hard work. You guys did a super job and I am glad you could squeeze in some enjoyment. You all needed it!

[cookie909]

Here are the puppies we brought back with us.

Pigeon Pea - 8 weeks - brown & white.
Chick Pea - 9 weeks - black and brindle.

[Abacobrad]

Judy what beautiful animals. Are they spoken for? Nice recap of your trip. I am trying to stay off the board while I get back in work mode, but not doing too well.

Brad

[Charlotte Couple]

Great work! Could you branch out to handle Lionfish????

[cookie909]

Brad, I am having the same problem.
Both pups are available for adoption, and will be at the Northlake Festival Petsmart on Saturday!

[cookie909]

Originally Posted by Charlotte Couple

Great work! Could you branch out to handle Lionfish????

Someone else is in charge of the Lionfish Rodeo!

[cookie909]

Forgot to thank also:

Wally's restaurant for donating lunches for the vets & vet techs!
Mom for keeping a diary so I could write a trip report!

[Abacobrad]

Hello from Susan and I!

Brad

Originally Posted by cookie909

Forgot to thank also:

Wally's restaurant for donating lunches for the vets & vet techs!
Mom for keeping a diary so I could write a trip report!