Saving Lola, a giant sea turtle!

Julie Goth pouring water on a stuck mama turtle.   

“Hey, Lawrie! There’s a sea turtle stuck between two rocks! Can you help me get her free?”

Rob Goth, our neighbor a few houses to the north of us on Isla Mujeres, stood in our courtyard shouting towards our upper deck. 

It was early in the morning, and we still had our bedroom door closed with the a/c running. We hadn’t heard him shout, but the dogs Sparky and Max had. They woofed, and Lawrie opened the door to investigate. 

Julie, Lawrie, and Rob - how are we going to do this?

Then Lawrie yelled an explanation to me and took off, leaving me to scramble out of the shower, throw on clothes, and dash after him with my camera in hand.

When I arrived on the beach side of Rob and Julie’s house, appropriately named Casa de Tortuga, Julie was gently pouring water over the turtle’s head, and Rob and Lawrie were discussing ideas to free her. 

The temperature was already a sweltering 30 °C but felt like 36 °C due to the high humidity, that’s 86 and 97 in the American temperature scale. 

Rob Goth, sun umbrella for turtle

The turtles can survive on land for short periods to lay their eggs, but the ladies always arrive after dark and usually leave by sunrise.

This poor mama was hot and getting hotter.

She was tightly jammed in a crevice between a ledge and an enormous chunk of rock. Fortunately, she was in the upright position, not standing on her head. 

Lawrie suggested lifting her out by her flippers. I said no, that might injure the muscles in her shoulders, and then she wouldn’t be able to swim. (What do I know?)

Rob went back to their house for a small, red and white beach umbrella and a bigger bucket to pour more water over her. 

Rob Goth, hat for him, bigger umbrella for turtle

I zipped out to the street, looking for a local who might know the number for the Tortugranja, the Turtle Farm. 

Tony Gutierrez was passing by, I asked him if he knew anyone at the Turtle Farm. He said yes, and offered to drive over to tell them we needed help.

Other neighbors, Cesar Sepúlveda and Sylvia Leal supplied a bigger beach umbrella and another bucket. Their daughter, Fanny pitched in with filling buckets of water and passing them to Rob. 

Visitors from Kansas City, who were staying at Vidrio del Mar, the Sea Glass House next to Rob and Julie's, helped wherever they could. As did a guest from nearby Punta Piedra.

Fanny lugging water. Guest from 'Sea Glass House" 

Cesar hopped into the family golf cart and drove to the Turtle Farm looking for help, not realizing I had already spoken to Tony Gutierrez.

More people arrived, everyone curious and trying to be helpful. Some of the new arrivals took turns pouring the water over her head and body, hoping to prevent heat exhaustion. 

Lawrie and I both grabbed large coils of rope from our house. 

Cesar and Sylvia contributed flat tie-down straps used for holding cargo in place.

More helpers arrived

It seemed like forever, but in reality, it was probably about thirty minutes before the turtle farm employees arrived. 

They decided to lift her out by her flippers…as I said, what do I know? (Yes, honey, you were right.)

The guys used the tie-down straps instead of the rope because the thin straps were easier to maneuver between the turtle’s body and her flippers. 

Success! She's moving.

Then Luis, Amado, and Emir lifted her, one on each side, and one grabbing her shell behind her neck. The first attempt didn’t work. Amado asked for a hammer and chisel, thinking to chip away a bit of the rock. 

Rob reached in and suggested they give it one more try, poof – she was out.

Cheers erupted, everyone grinning like little kids at the circus. 

Turtle guys and helpful visitors - hold her for a minute

The mama started off but she was dragging a strap still attached to her front flipper. 

Three guys struggled to hold her back while another (Luis maybe?) undid the strap. And then she was off.

Amado escorted her to the water’s edge, waving farewell.

Everyone is happy the turtle is headed back to the ocean

It was heartwarming to see so many people from Canada, the USA, and Mexico come together to help this one creature. 

The next day was Rob Goth's birthday, and as he said, "This was the best gift I could have dreamed of."

A really big thank you to the Tortugranja employees from all of us.

As we headed home, carrying two really heavy coils of rope, I turned to Julie Goth and Sylvia Leal, “Hey, what’s her name?” I asked, pointing at the retreating turtle.

Amado escorting 'Lola" back to her home.

“Lola!” They yelled back.

From all of us, happy travels, Lola, and for heaven’s sake, watch where you are going!

                ~
Later in the week, Capt. Tony Garcia found another mama turtle stuck near Casa Coral. 

He was able to rescue her as well. It might be an idea for homeowners on the Caribbean side of the island to do a morning check for trapped mama turtles.  Better than letting them bake to death in the sunshine. 

 

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A little help for our furry friends!

Sparky at Clinica Veterinaria de Isla Mujeres

Pets occasionally need a visit to a doctor, or as Thomas the Cat would say, the cat-doctor. 

Sparky, our almost-famous, island low-rider, recently needed a few tests to diagnose his health issues. We took him to Clinica Veterinaria de Isla Mujeres, where Delfino Guevara, DVM, and soon-to-be-certified DVM Rossely Gonzalez expertly performed a chest x-ray and blood tests. The last time Sparky needed tests, we battled with a car ferry ride to Cancun and back. Staying on the island for his tests was much less stressful for everyone.

Sparky about to be X-rayed.  What do I do now?

For analysis of blood samples, Clinica Veterinaria currently uses a laboratory in Centro. There is a fundraising campaign for a blood chemistry analyzer that will obtain results quickly and cheaply for the clinic. Part of the fundraiser includes the memory tile project, displayed on the entrance wall of the hospital. It is one of those things that we have passed time and again, briefly glanced at, but not really noticed.

  

Artist, Julie Goth, Thomas the Cat's tile

The project was started by well-known islanders, Tony and Mim Gallagher, as a means to raise a little extra money for the animal hospital. 

They kicked off the program by generously purchasing six hand-painted tiles with the names of their grandchildren. The kids get a giggle out of stopping at the clinic to check on their tiles every time they visit the island. 

Julie Goth and Déanne Gray

It wasn’t until recently, when two of our nearby neighbours and close friends, Julie Goth and Déanne Gray, became involved with the project, that we really paid attention. Julie Goth created a beautiful image for our mutual friends, Chuck and Marcy Watt, in celebration of their Isla fur-baby, Sombra. Déanne Gray, on the other hand, actively promotes the fundraiser, organizing the placement of the tiles and collecting the money. To order a memory tile, please private message Déanne Gray (Day) on Facebook.

Bonnie Hamilton, Eileen Regn help the animals

If you are on the island, you can either pay at the clinic or arrange to pay Julie Goth, Eileen Regn, or Déanne Gray, or pay online through Helping Animals Living Overseas (HALO). The minimum donation is 750 pesos or $50 USD, and goes to helping island animals.

Please remember to add a note that your donation is for a memory tile, and include photos and personal details of the person or pet you wish to honor. www.helpinganimalslivingoverseas.org/donate

Cover illustration by Diego Medina

We recently purchased two: one for our seventeen-year-old Thomas the Cat, who succumbed to kidney disease last April, and the other for Princess Chica, another true-life character featured in my children’s book, The Adventures of Thomas the Cat. 

Chica passed away in 2014. Her tile will be mounted on the wall adjacent to her best friend, Thomas. 

Princess Chica and her best friend Thomas

And in case you didn’t know, both Day Gray and full-time islander Bonnie Hamilton are the legendary cat-trap-ladies. Every week, they voluntarily trap feral cats to be spayed or neutered at the clinic. Day has extended an open invitation for us to share the experience. However, she has mentioned on occasion that her clothes are quite odoriferous by the end of the evening’s festivities, giving us a reason to be otherwise occupied.

Delfino and Rossely, blood tests for Sparky

Funded by HALO (Helping Animals Living Overseas), Clinica Veterinaria’s current location is across the street from the original clinic. The new structure was purpose-built about three years ago to house the animal hospital, pet adoption centre, and cat sanctuary. We asked one of the founder members of HALO, Kit Lilly, for background information. Her answer was so detailed and well-written, we decided to include it, as is, in this blog post.

~

The new clinic before signage and murals

From Kit Lilly:

“HALO (Helping Animals Living Overseas) was formed in October 2013 as a US 501c3. HALO’s mission is to support select projects outside of the US that benefit animals. The first project that HALO chose was the construction of the new animal hospital and adoption center in Isla Mujeres. In addition to the new building, the project added a small adoption area at the front of the building, a cat sanctuary on the land behind the clinic, and equipment such as stainless steel cages for hospitalized animals and an X-ray machine. The project included providing ongoing operating support to help offset losses generated by the fact that much of the clinic's caseload is caring for homeless animals. The clinic rates are below market rates for vet services.  The rates are intentionally set this way because many of the island families cannot afford market-rate care for their animals, and the clinic did not want animals to go without care. 

The clinic entrance, today.

All of the initial founders of HALO had been to Isla Mujeres (several of us are property owners, and all are repeat visitors) and admired the work of Clinica Chipie and its staff.  

The founders wanted to be able to help improve the clinic facilities, provide a safe space for the “clinic cats”, and have a space to feature adoptable pets.  

Mural by Barbara Siebenlist

They recognized the clinic as a valuable resource for the island, both for the quality of its care and also because it is the only 24/7 emergency care for animals on the island. It was also recognized that because of the free and subsidized care provided by the clinic, ongoing outside operating support would be necessary. 

HALO was essentially formed concurrently with selecting this project as its first. After learning more about the mission of Clinica Chipie and examining its financial statements, it became clear that Clinica Chipie was in all forms except legally a non-profit. We suggested that Delfino consider converting his existing business from a traditional Mexican corporation to an Association Civil, a Mexican nonprofit. He applied to the government to convert it and was successful. 

Thomas the Cat, illustration Diego Medina

HALO raised funds for the construction of the new clinic building, and it was completed in the fall of 2014. HALO continues to provide operating support and hopes to fund the purchase of a blood chemistry analyzer to facilitate diagnosis later this year. HALO continues to raise funds for operating support.  The sale of the hand-painted tiles to honor a loved one (human or animal) is one way people can donate and enables them to have a physical connection to the island.”

~

Sombra sharing a hug with her best friend 

If you have a friend, family member, or beloved pet you would like to honor, you will be helping out the island cats and dogs, plus keeping alive the memory of a special person or pet.  

Or in the case of Tony and Mim Gallagher, giving the grandkids a giggle when they visit the clinic and can see their names on the wall.

Hasta luego, Lynda, Lawrie, and Sparky

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Día de Los Reyes, Day of the Kings! Islanders create a special day

Day of the Kings' Isla Mujeres

Kings' Day, January 6^th in all of Mexico, is a very special day for children. 

It’s an important event for Catholics in Mexico, celebrated when the three wise men purportedly arrived in Bethlehem with gifts for baby Jesus.

And it’s the day when local children traditionally receive their holiday celebration gifts.

Restaurant owner, Ruben Chavez, again hosted a party for the island kids at his tiny restaurant on Guerrero Avenue, located across from the post office. 

Diego Gonzalez keeping things organized

For months, Mexicans and foreigners have been gathering gifts, organizing food, and assembling donations. John Pasnau, as always, was knee deep in the event.  

His first mate, Diego Gonzalez, and Diego’s family members pitched in to help out both with the pre-organization and during the event on Friday, January 6th.

A gift-elf, keeping the stacks sorted.

In 2016, there were over 800 toys collected, and about 1200 children attended the event.  This year, 2017, the group gathered 1473 toys, but again, there were more children than toys.

 

John Pasnau says the event will be registered as a non-profit organization later this year. He is hoping that will help with his fundraising for January 2018. John’s family members also pitched in, carting over three hundred toys to Mexico from American friends. 

Valerie Pasnau had at various times suitcases filled with footballs (we call them soccer balls), Hot Wheels, crayons, and more.

Volunteers inside the restaurante

Gail Marie Stewart and the food crew constructed thousands of sandwiches starting at eight in the evening the night before, working for three hours preparing and wrapping, and storing them in the refrigerators. 

The gift elves spent hours sorting toys into girl-type toys or boy-type toys, then sorted the piles again by age category.

The hamper crew, organized by Déanne Gray, assembled boxes of food and household supplies, with Ruben identifying the people who were most in need of assistance. 

Deanne, hampers of food and supplies

Déanne got the idea of an Advent Hamper from her grandchildren, and asked interested folks to place one item each day into a basket or similar container for twenty-four days. 

The night before the event, all of the food hampers were taken to the IxChel Condo Hotel to be stored until the next morning. 

Ruben and the hamper receiver

Ruben’s Restaurante was overflowing with gifts sorted and ready for the big day. There wasn’t a single space for a customer to enjoy his great food on Thursday and most of Friday. 

Even with three cracked ribs, Ruben was in the thick of the event – in pain and stressed about the reality of not having enough presents – he was in motion all the time. 

This is not the only kind deed that Ruben is responsible for. He also donates 10% of his restaurant sales to the Casa Hogar orphanage located in the Rancho Viejo colonia, on the mainland portion of the Municipality of Isla Mujeres.

Waiting in line for hours!

And then the big day arrived. The lineups started hours before the scheduled start time. 

Volunteers controlled the crowds, the traffic, and the flow of children by age to the two double-windows where elves handed out the gifts: girls’ line on one side and the boys’ line on the other side.

The sandwiches and drinks were passed out through the side window in the garden.

Santa in sandals

Last year, Santa sat in the hot tropical sun for hours, personally handing each child a gift. 

With the increase in numbers, that is not feasible anymore. Santa would have expired from heat exhaustion. 

I know from personal experience that Mickey and Minnie, who were on-site for only ninety minutes, were suffering from the heat inside their elaborate costumes.

At the end of the day, there were more children than gifts, but not willing to let any child be disappointed, part-time islander, Jackie Conlon, generously asked John Pasnau to negotiate with the ice-cream vendor for his entire stock.

“The ice-cream cone story was fun.” John Pasnau explained, “Jackie has zero Spanish. I have 20% on a good day. The ice-cream man had about 2% English. With work, we found out it was more about how many cones he had, which was doscientos, two hundred. Then I asked how much for all of them.”

Ice Cream man at Day of the Kings

Shocked, the vendor replied. “What?”

John patiently repeated, “All of them.”

The vendor replied, “15 pesos.”

John said, “Ok, 15 pesos times 200 is 3000 pesos, si?”

“Si,” the vendor happily agreed.

“Discount for buying all 200?” Asked John.

“Si. 15 pesos each.” The vendor nodded his head in agreement.

John: “So there we were. The proud buyers of 200 cones at retail. Santa has never done so poorly on a bulk buy.”  

Over the next few days, the Facebook chatter and the private messages back and forth between the participants were amazing. Everyone was pleased, happy, and inspired to do it all again. The payoff is the big smiles.

Great work, everyone, and a big thank-you to you, Ruben Chavez. The man with the huge heart.

Lawrie Lock, Lynda Lock, Ruben Chavez, John Pasnau

Super Organizer - Gail Stewart and Rita Lawson

Ruben’s helpers are listed below: I apologize if I missed anyone.  

John Pasnau, Valerie Pasnau, Annelise Pasnau, Gail-Marie Stewart, Jackie Conlon, Diego Gonzalez Torres, Gelmy Garrido Escalante, Fernanda Gonzalez Noh, Emily Gonzalez Garrido, Marrion Nielson, Steve Ferree, Terri Ferrero Tywan, Julie Goth, Rob Goth, Déanne Gray, Brent Curley, Carol Gatlin, Kathy Nicholson, Karly Bandala, Patricia Cauich, Therese McComas Durhman, Christina Rich, Maria Delagdo, Aaron Greene, Ruth Lacey, Wanda Wagner, Jennifer Kelly, Rita Lawson, Annie Tatum Musil, and Alexa Aviles De a O.

Plus the hardworking restaurant staff: Jessica, Sami, and Ricky.  

Julie Goth and Deanne 

¡Felices fiestas! Lawrie, Lynda, Sparky, and Tommy

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