Amigos de Animales

Call it puppy love

by Nancy Snipper

Spading and Neutering Animals in San Miguel is Savior’s mission

San Miguel has an invaluable organization called Amigos de Animals. Its mission is to sterilize cats and dogs so there won’t be massive reproduction and the heart-break of unwanted animals. This community-oriented organization is especially directed towards Mexicans who cannot always afford the cost to go to a vet.

Arno Nauman realized there was a great need for this some 15 years ago, and he singlehandedly formed Amigos de Animales and developed it to grow into the vital entity it is today which now benefits from many volunteers. His grass roots rallying resonated with people and it has paid off: his passion for animal protection led to the creation of new laws related to the matter, including punishment for animal abuse. The fervor of his commitment to promote better lives for animals and their pet owners in reducing the number of unwanted, homeless dogs and the suffering that ensures. He has helped enormously and his legacy will continue to leave its mark as he prepares to retire.

Board member, Maggie Hutchins notes: “One unneutered male or female can produce 100s of unwanted puppies and kittens for their lifetime, and that so often these adorable newborns end up on streets without, food, love or shelter. Maggie is one of 8 board members whose many responsibilities include registering owner and animals for sterilization weekend sessions, called, ‘blitzes.”

The blitzes are held in the San Antonio neighborhood and the Lion’s Club. The intense tagging process involved oversees up to 170 to 200 sessions per weekend. Maggie said it’s a lot of pre and post organizing, and the success of it depends of course on the vets who volunteer to do this. Amigos de Animales pays two fulltime vets and the rest offer their services free.” 

So there are the blitzes, the clinic and the traveling mobile that reaches out to remote areas. The org is busy every day of the week. “Fridays, we set out to travel as far as 20 kilometers to do our work and it is a fully operating clinic run by our two employed vets Vanessa and Omar.” 

Maggie has always loved animals; a voice spoke to her many years ago when she realized so many creatures do not have proper care. Amigos de Animales has a spot-on slogan: “The voice for the voiceless”.

Donations are so appreciated, and tax deductions are given.

Website: http://amigos-sma.org/about/ 

THE GIMBO BED

Healing the body with heated stones

on San Miguel’s Gimbo bed

by Nancy Snipper

It’s magic – just like the city itself. Set yourself down on a hard bamboo bed under which is a thousand semi-precious stones that are heated to work their magnetic energies as they penetrate your body to basically banish your imbalances and chronic illnesses. The stones are red amethyst, black jade, Biotitic, germanio,  yakodol, kiyoseki and cheongwang. Their healing specifics include, blocking electromagnetic, radiation, negative ions, augmentation of energy and body temperature, anti-oxidant and balancing and heightening energies.

Before I lay on my bed, I had to drink a special half-bottle of water from Queretaro (a nearby city) that was ionized and alkaline balanced. This was to rid your body of the toxins that circulated in the body at a heightened rate due to these beds that do indeed bring the blood toxins to the surface to be expelled after drinking the rest of the bottle of water after your 40-minute treatment. I don/t understand the total process, but the easy-to-read booklet plus a video are there to examine. I know that there is a grand benefit to what happens to you once you immerse yourself in Gimbo therapy

I met women there who are diabetic, arthritic and suffering from nerve diseases. They attest to their wellbeing of better health through these Gimbo beds.

I loved the heat, circulating into my body and witnessed the power of these stones before I tried the treatment. My attendant put a little magnet into a cup on the bed and it spun around in circles. The hot spot for the bed is marked with amethyst.  

How did I feel after? Renewed, energized, and my back pain was gone.

This Korean invention is over 1000 years old. It is recommended for those suffering from over 22 illnesses, including Parkinson, rheumatism, obesity, migraines, even tumors.

Is Gimbo a god for well being or a mere gizmo? You decide.

The address to try this wonderful healing method is at # 35 Insurgentes.

 Phone (415) 152-0100

San Miguel de Allende's best hairdresser

CATRINA

by Nancy Snipper

Her name is Vero and her husband is Juan Calros, Both are artistically inclined, Vero has been doing hair for over 26 years and she is  also a genius make-up artist – The Day of the Dead in San Miguel sports many of her make-up faces. They are so detailed, they appear like tattoos. Vero is fun and highly creative. Her hubby is the side-kick; he behaves like an adorable clown, but take one look at the fantasy nails he does for women, and you know this guy is all business.

I was astounded by their marvelous rapport with their clients, I was 5 hours in the chair, and yet it was I that was entertained completely by their wit and remarkable caring as to my hair.

Go there and be amazed.

Catrina is a cool place that brings beauty to your hair. Vero did to mine, so remember the hairdressing name of Catrina, which she and her husband own.  It’s at #104 Relox Street.

Croque ta Vie… a Gratonic Goodie!

              

Gluten and dairy-free health treats

reviewed by Nancy Snipper

Forget about the power bars and all those commercially attractively packaged foods that tell you no fat and really low in carbs. Who knows where the truth lies. Well, it lies in this sensational new snack product: Croque ta Vie.

What a great snack this foodie find is. The product is energizing and best of all, it’s gluten and dairy-free – created by a mother inspired by her children to create a fine foodie munchie that is 100% healthy.

They come in bars and bite-size bits.

Made by marathon runner, Sophie Pelletier-Roy in her Mirabel “kitchen”, Croque ta Vie makes granola bars and cereals from natural and organic ingredients with 10-12g of protein. They come in seven great flavours, including apple, chocolate, ginger, and more!

Enpowering and energizing for all ages. Gratonic is putting pure health in a delicious way into your body. I know, I couldn’t get enough of them when I tasted them at the press conference for Festival de Nouveau Cinema in Montreal.

You can go to croquetavie.com or on Facebook to see more information about the product.

Techniques Auto Verdun Inc.

The Garage with heart and a whole lot more! 

 by Nancy Snipper

Techniques Auto Verdun Inc.

In this day and age, it’s so difficult to find a garage that can fix your car from head to toe, and make you feel happy – even lucky that you nailed the best car doctor in town.   I’m talking about a very special garage: Techniques Auto Verdun Inc in Montreal, Quebec.

APA approved and owned by the Trinidadian-Canadian Dickson family of East-Indian descent, the garage is stocked with men whose smiles are as genuine and warm as the level of excellence of the work they do. These fellows have been repairing cars and doing superb body work for ten years, and they love what they do. They have two class-one mechanics working in the garage – a rarity to find such high qualifications these days. A team of family members work darn hard to get it right with your car and they always succeed. Their resident mechanic, veteran Claude Laneuville whom everyone calls the “yoda master" of mechanics has been with the garage for 40 years; he stayed on when the Dicksons bought it.

One stop shopping  that is so convenient

You’re never just a number at Techniques Auto Verdun. As Alan, the manager said, “We care so much about cars, as much we care about their owners – and that’s a lot”. In fact, when I brought my car in to fix the rust on both sides of the car at each door bottom, Alan was so committed into   getting rid of it. Karim – his body man – works on the aesthetics of cars, and this guy is amazing. Alan called me over to show me the job Karim did on my Hyundai, Elantra. I couldn’t believe it Wow!

What I loved was watching their enthusiasm and pride that made me know they strive for perfection to get an immaculate end result. They were as excited as I was. And boy, they produce results!

On the interior of the driver’s door, Karin had taken the panel off working to the bone sanding to ensure all rust was completely gone – rust that one can’t see unless that indoor panel is removed.

These guys are my car heroes!  

Can you believe it, but Alan actually walked over to my street where my car was parked before he even started the job - just to take a look. Now that’s a first. He spoke to me about why it was rusting and how to stop it further and possible options.

Being a single woman, I’ve been taken by poor workmanship and gouged where inflated costs to get my car fixed backed me into a corner to concede.

That didn’t happen with me here. I was astounded by their respect and reassurance. I could see they really stand by their word and workmanship.

 They’re honest and their integrity was obvious

They went the extra mile and then some. They even fixed the lopsided gas tank cover and touched up all the small areas that marked my car that was now approaching 10 years of age.  With their passion and incomparable expertise, they turned my car into a spanking slick-looking white car. No wonder, they are experts on high-end cars, such as jaguars and crème de la crème collector models, and though mine is a mere “commoner”, it didn’t matter to them. They took so much care in making it look like a high-end beauty. Plus it was ready in two days!!!

The price was so reasonable, especially since I know how expensive body work can run. I wanted to stay and chat, even hug them, for they truly rescued me. I knew where I would be heading in the event of any future car calamity.

“Thank you, Alan, Karim and the gang of great guys at Techniques Auto Verdun!”

Here is the garage’s address: 640 avenue Gordon, Verdun, QC H4G 2R9.

The phone number is (514) 751-2525.

Their email is: groupexotika@hotmail.com

Our Vets Have Been Voided!

by Nancy Snipper

In Canada’s fields the souls now fall

of those who risked their lives for all.

And now these vets are left behind

with other heroes of great heart and mind.

No gathering place to call their own,

All they get is to suffer alone.

Can’t be with others to share those times

Where bravery and fear were their only life-line.

To war they went, now home they die

Not by the enemy but by the Harper cry.

So cold of heart, so bleak of mind

A leader whose only care

is to kill their pride.

It’s so unfair.

Is this the way to thank them all?

Bleed them dry and take their dough

Oh Steven Harper, you reap what you sow.

“Oh Canada, our home and native land,

True patriot love”  

(in a song, but not for man!!)

{Written in response to Canada’s closing veteran offices}

{Écrit en réponse au  fermeture des bureaux vétéran par le Canada}