Todos Santos - Highlight

I saw so much during my time in Todos Santos that it is difficult to pin point one particular highlight. However, after much reflection, it has to be this:

Dr Kate had told me a story about when VWB was in Todos Santos in January performing the sterilization procedures. An elderly lady, probably about 80 years old (it´s very difficult to guess the ages if the Todos Santeras) brought her dog, Chino Pollo (chinese chicken), to the clinic. Bear in mind that the clinics held were usually on someone´s porch or veranda much as the surgery detailed in my earlier post. Once the procedure was completed on Chino Pollo and he was waking up from the anaesthesia, the elderly lady wanted to carry him home herself. Now, this lady was no taller than 4 ft 11 and the dog weighed about 30 kilos! Dr Kate and Andres carried the dog back themselves. It was a good 30 minutes trek up and down some serious mountain terrain to the lady´s remote, traditional house.

I am telling this story because one afternoon, Dr Kate and I were taking a stroll past the slaughter house and cemetery when Dr Kate asked if it was ok if we visited Chino Pollo to see how he was and if he was actually still alive. No problem for me, so off we set.

As we approached the house, after having crossed the river where the village sewage empties into before heading to Mexico, we saw the lady´s husband. He asked Dr Kate if she was here to see Chino Pollo. How amazing that he remembered Dr Kate! "Yes!" Chino Pollo was alive and kicking and doing very well. As we turned to leave, the lady came running to us to thank Dr Kate for everything she had done. The lady also kept asking if we had passed by just to see Chino Pollo. The locals still cannot believe that VWB has put so much emphasis on their animals. Juana and Brigido were SO happy that we had passed by to check on them. They even asked for our telephone number and agreed for us to take a photo with them!

This is my trip highlight as it really shows the impact that VWB has had (and continues to have) on this community. VWB are there primarily to improve the lives of the Todos Santeros, and they are. How lucky I am to have been a part of this experience. Thank you VWB and Aeroplan.