2011 Dia de los Muertos Pet Altar and Booth in Mesilla

Thanks to the many people who stopped by our pet altar and booth at this year's Dia de los Muertos Festival in Mesilla.  More than 130 people added momento cards for their pets on our altar, and some brought pictures of those they were remembering and honoring. 

We especially want to thank local artist Charlotte Driver, who helped us raise nearly $800 with her donated art and goods.  Below is her Saint Francis painting:

We always pay special tribute at this time of year to the 10,000+ homeless animals who lose their lives in our animal welfare system each year.  Though the kill rate has improved a bit for dogs at our municipal shelter, the kill rate for cats has remained very high (about 80%).

Below are some pictures and highlights of the event, including some of the momento cards, poems, etc.

May they rest in peace

Send your pet memorials to APA at actionprogramsforanimals@yahoo.com or via mail at APA, P.O. Box 125, Las Cruces, NM, 88004.  We will post them on this page in honor of your lost loved ones.

Monet, 1998--2011

Monet, the cute yorkie pictured above, was the companion of Bob and Sandy Gaupel.  They made a generous donation to us in her honor as well as in honor of Mittie, a friend's dog who also recently passed away.  They wrote, "Monet and Mittie were like members of our family.  They were very much loved and will always remain in our hearts.  We miss them terribly.  ACTion Programs for Animals is a wonderful and caring organization.  We appreciate all the good work you do for the animals."

Lady

Our pet food bank canine neighbor, Lady, passed away on Dec. 14, 2011.  She had suffered a stroke, so we took her to a local vet to save her from suffering more than she needed to (with her guardian's permission).  For about a year now, we have been visiting and helping care for Lady and her canine companion, Chico, because their owner is very sickly and elderly as well.  The dogs were/are over 18 years old, and their guardian is over 90 years old!  

We hope Lady is resting in peace now, though we are sad for Chico to have lost his lifelong canine companion.

Rocky

This little guy was one of our special-needs pet food bank clients.   He passed away in late November 2011, and his guardian is Tiffany Swift.  He was a special little guy--a rare chocolate pomeranian.   The pictures above were some of the last taken of him this year.

Nicky

The Leftwich family made a generous donation to APA in loving memory of Nicky, their cat who lost his life to cancer in 2009.   With the donation, the family asked us to keep helping those in our program with caring for their very important 4-legged family members. 

In Memoriam Pet Poems

A Pet's Prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s  sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my leader and I am your devoted follower.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather, hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest – and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

They will not go quietly,
the dogs who’ve shared our lives.
In subtle ways, they let us know
their spirit still survives.

Old habits still make us think
we hear them at the door.
Or step back when we drop
a tasty morsel on the floor.

Our feet still go around the place
the food dish used to be,
and sometimes, coming home at night,
we miss them terribly.

And although time may bring new
friends and a new food dish to fill,
that one place in our hearts
belongs to them … and always will.