Asociacíon San Francisco de los Animales - Santiago del Teide Branch

Sunday Morning, bright and early, all the supporters of the Associacion de San Francisco de los Amimales were gathering behind the new hotel in Alcala for the sponsored walk.

It was a beautiful morning, not a cloud in the sky, and hardly a ripple on the sea. It had been quite an effort for me to get up this morning, as I had been partying the night before – a wedding, but this lovely tranquil morning made it all worth while, I could always catch up on sleep this afternoon.

Veterans, 79 year old Violet Marley along with 13 year old Beauty, (right) who had collected €197 in sponsorship were raring to go. I tagged along, looking forward to a gentle stroll, and to take a few photos of the walkers along the way.

The start was delayed momentarily for a group photo for the web site then it was all systems go. And boy did they go, so much for my expected stroll, they were off on a sponsored gallop! Maybe the thoughts of Stuarts buffet at Pilgrims had something to do with it. I had to really gallop to get ahead for some shots.

Watching them all become small specks in the distance I waited for Vi and Beauty to catch up, then we had a lovely stroll along the coastal path, stopping for a few pictures here and there along the route.

So at 79 how does Vi keep her fitness - she can out walk many much younger people. She keeps fit by walking from El Varadero to Vigillia Park – and back, most days of the week. So this morning’s walk was a piece of cake.

We were last to arrive a Pilgrims, but fortunately for us Stuart had not put out the Buffet until the stragglers arrived.

The sandwiches and quiches went down very well, and a quick count up of money handed in at the time was €940. And still quite a bit more to come in.

The Associations sends a big thank you to all the sponsors and walkers.

Total figure will be announced here in a few days.

Many of you will have seen me Beauty manning my post from Monday to Friday outside the Losgigantes.com office in El Varadero. The highlight of my day is to mug (with big brown pleading eyes and a hopeful wag of the tail) the ladies (well anyone actually) returning from the supermarket with their shopping. Now this week as well as mugging them for the odd nice tit bit I’ve been mugging them for money too – sponsorship for the Associacion de San Francisco de Los Animales walk, which is taking place on Sunday 15th June from the new hotel in Alcala to Pilgrims Bar in Playa Arena.

I was a rescue dog myself. I was roaming in the Punta Blanca area and was very ill, although I didn’t look it. To cut a long story short I was taken in by Paul, (my human) even though he did send me to the kennels first, for which I have forgiven him. I was nursed back to health and I am told that I have a lovely nature, (no biting the hand that feeds here, unless it is due to over enthusiastic munching of a tit bit, oops sorry). I won the obedience award several times in the local dog show (well it was easy really, I just wanted to please Paul).

Many of you will have seen me pulling the Santa’s sledge on the Lion’s annual Carol Singing events around Los Gigantes. However, last year at the age of 13yrs Paul thought I should retire from this duty, the back legs are beginning to give me a bit of trouble, I do have some lumps and bumps now but my hero took me to the vets (that’s the Human with the stick thing he sticks under your tail, well I can’t mention the details, ladies don’t speak of such things), and he says to leave the lumps alone.

On Sunday I am coming out of retirement to raise funds for all those cats and dogs less fortunate than me. Already I have raised €135 and still have 4 days to go. So if you are passing through El Varadero please call in and put some money in my jar. (if you don’t know exactly where I am tel: 922 862713