Living and working in a resort destination which is on a roll and one in which everybody is wheeling and dealing to make more bucks, and have a good time, on tends to become somewhat jaded about the human race in general and gripe a lot about self-absorption, lack of civic responsibility, concern for others, etc. However, there are really some dear, caring, wonderful folks out there that pop up when one least expects it.

Back in October when this writer was documenting luggage at the Mexicana counter at LAX (50% of which were decorations for the HSCSL Halloween fundraiser) for a return trip to CSL, it occurred to her to request that the excess pieces be exempted from charges for excess luggage (after all, they only contained $30USD of raffia scare crows and witches). "Do you have a credential or letter stating that these items are for the Humane Society?" Nada. Following this exchange, the very beautiful and efficient Laura Anne Flores-Rocha went about documenting her passenger's boxes and bundles relating that all of her family were animal lovers and contributed generously to their local HS.

When she found out that the HSCSL does not receive the USA National Humane Society Monthly publication, she requested the address of the CSL group so that it could be put on the mailing list for the magazine. After finishing seat assignment and all the other things that airline counter personnel do, she reached into her pocket and handed over some dollars. "I want to help --- I think it is wonderful what your group is doing for my people in Cabo San Lucas." Muchas gracias --- now which supervisor must I see to authorize the exemption?" "It's all taken care of --- I did!"

After this beautiful start to a very busy day, yours truly was back at her desk

several hours later sorting thru her mail after a one week absence. Two DHL envelopes caught her eye. The first one, mailed from New York, contained a check for $650 USD: "Dear Margarita --- please accept this check to provide a kennel for cats (complete) ... our daughter Nicole Dara Novick was killed by an automobile 8 weeks ago. She had a love for animals --- especially cats --- and always helped strays. We would like the kennel to be donated to her memory. She was a social worker, starting law school and a true humanitarian, environmentalist (vegetarian) and lover of our beautiful animals everywhere she traveled. She was studying Spanish to become bilingual and loved Mexico. Good luck with your wonderful endeavor. Thank you for your kindness and concern for the animals. Gratefully yours, Carol and Gerald Acker. PS - My husband and I have 3 dogs and 3 cats --- we adore animals everywhere we go and try to help make their lives better any way we can."

The second envelope contained another check for $650 USD (Guess that expensive SOS ad in this publication did have some results Cliff -- was beginning to worry.)

"My boyfriend and I visited CSL Sept. 20-27. While there we met and fell in love with one of Cabo's stray dog population. We first saw her by the Pueblo Bonito Road construction site: she was a beautiful dog, light brown coat with a white face -- she looked like a little cow -- a starving one. We bought her ¼ pound of meat from the deli and fed it to her right away. Every night we would see her in town --- she seemed to hang out on the corner by Mrs. Field's cookie shop. We would always stop and feed her and she would follow us from one end of town to the other; always happy to see us ... I couldn't leave Cabo without doing something for her to improve her chance of survival. One night it just so happened that we ran into Dyanne Clark. She had appeared out of nowhere with a can of dog food for this dog. We spoke with her and she spoke about what a wonderful vet Dr. Cesar Tapia was." The writer of these lines then took the dog into Dr. Tapia, sponsored spaying & and medical expenses and found her a foster home. The dog's name is "Elsa" --- of course, because due to her markings and long tail she would be expected to Moo instead of Bark. "On our way home, I read your article (in Cabo Life, naturally) about the shelter you are building and I would like to sponsor a kennel run on behalf of Elsa. I would like the plaque to read Angela Ackerman, Indianapolis, Indiana "In Honor of Elsa, The Sweetest Dog in Cabo."

HSCSL President Barbara Cooperman, whom the HSCSL gratefully welcomes back after a 6 week visit to Guadalajara, also had a wonderful surprise when she was sorting thru weeks of accumulated correspondence; a simple white envelope from Kelly-Hill Company, 5016 NW Waukomis Drive, Kansas-City, Missouri, containing a

check for $200 USD. No note or letter. So Muchas Gracias Kelly-Hill Company in Kansas City, whoever you are.

A fast thank you to the Sanchez family, owners of Shadia Floreria on Morelos who adopted a big beautiful Cabo mutt who had adopted the Shelter not realizing that what he really wanted was a home and family to take care of. (Being located in the Red Zone on Antros in downtown CSL, the Sanchez family were having difficulties on the weekends with trespassers on the flower shop's back lot who weren't exactly looking for a dozen red roses) Thanks are also in order for Fred Brauer, a Pedregal property owner for 21 years, for his generous $100 USD gift. Also muchas gacias to CABO LIFE for all its support in helping the shelter to become an almost reality and to the generous gift of a free booth in SPLASHIV Art Festival, November 29 and 30, where HSCSL will be selling Aguas Frescas, HSCSL gear, pet accessories and tree ornaments. Also for its gift of free space in this publication.

For those residents returning from vacations, graduations, weddings, family visits, etc., who were unable to help with the construction materials for the shelter, a beautiful sturdy palapa now shades the HSCSL camper out at the shelter but is pretty bare of furniture. Chairs, tables, cooking utensils, used bedding, mops, used filing cabinets, desks, pails and cleaning material would be welcome. (NOTE FROM BARBARA: All these things are readily available right in Cabo, so it is best to send money so that shelter staff can simply purchase these items.) Also toys for the shelter residents. Call 3-27-26 or 3-50-28 if interested in donating some of these items. Volunteers will also be needed to run the shelter. Interested parties should call these same numbers.

Dr. Cesar Tapia PO Box 198 COD, POST. 223410 Cabo San Lucas, BCS MEXICO
011-52-114-33808 or 011-52-114-32388 fax 011-52-114-33187