by Leslie Eggerling
Everyone has someone they consider a hero. In the many years I have been coming to Puerto Vallarta, I have been amazed by the many wonderful people who work behind the scenes to make Vallarta a better place. This is the story of one of my heroes.
Before my husband Mike and I started spending all winter here, we would stay in Old Town for 2 to 3 weeks every January. We spent most evenings at the beach and frequented our favorite restaurant and bar, Langostinos.
Fifteen years ago, the beach was a haven for stray dogs. One winter, we really fell hard for a sweet, wiggle tail, lab/pit bull mix. We saw her every night and felt strongly about bringing her home to Seattle to be a companion to our dog Hailey.
Colette Zarry, Langostinos owner, thought she could arrange for us to adopt the dog. She knew the 17-year-old man who owned her and thought he would sell her to us. We headed back to Seattle, and Colette met with the dog’s owner. Since he needed money, he said yes.
Shortly after the arrangements were made, it was found that the dog was pregnant. Surprise! Surprise! We were not swayed and offered to take care of the situation financially, but the boy’s father had other ideas. They already had 4 dogs at home and did not want a litter of pups.
There were not many options for stray dogs in those days, so he chose his way to eliminate her and stabbed the dog to death. If this were the end of the story, it would just be another tragedy of animal abuse in Mexico. What happened next is what turned this nightmare into a celebration.
These days, you may notice the beaches are teaming with vendors, but the number of stray dogs on the beach is greatly diminished. That is in large part because Colette made a bold decision on the horrible January day the dog was killed.
She was determined to open a free clinic to spay and neuter, and she did!
She started by using her own funds and taking donations at the restaurant. She opened her clinic on March 20, 2012 – just 2 months after our adoption disaster.
On July 25, 2012, they celebrated their 350th neuter/spay. The services
have grown, and they now spay 20 animals every weekend at their facility in Old Town. They have spayed/neutered more than 13,500 dogs and cats to date.
It is an incredible organization with many wonderful volunteers who provide this much-needed service in Vallarta.
The clinic operates through donations and contributions from pet owners using the service. If you want to help this program in a fun way – you can come to Dog Bingo at Nacho Daddy every other Wednesday at 3:30. Or, feel free to make a donation at the restaurant.
Ten percent of all sales at Langostinos also go to the clinic.
Colette, you are an amazing woman, my hero, and a hero to Puerto Vallarta! I am so grateful to call you my friend!
