You can see the irony, can’t you? We do a garden for the Chelsea Flower Show, based on a Moroccan Courtyard, win a silver medal, then build the Chelsea garden back in our centre in Marrakech.
A bit weird really. But all part of our cunning plan to entice some of the thousands of visitors to Marrakech (with frankly, not very much to see or do there) to come and visit us and see the work first hand.
I felt that people on holiday – even if they were concerned about animals – might not want to go and see an animal hospital. Visions of suffering and misery and all that. But actually it’s not at all like that. The centre in Marrakech is an oasis of green and tranquillity in the middle of the chaotic, noisy, bustling city – giving an atmosphere of hope and optimism. The new ‘Chelsea Garden’ merely compliments it, and the animals in their stalls and kennels seem to appreciate that atmosphere.
Monday, 16 August 2010
Marrakech garden
Monday, 2 August 2010
Animals and children with special needs
Latest craze everywhere seems to be ‘Handicapped Riding’ or Therapeutic Riding For Children With Special Needs, as it is called nowadays.
We’ve had a little centre in Mali for years – it was great to be able to do something for the severely damaged little mites there – the tragedy is, we can help so few.
It’s also a good argument against the “How can you worry about animals when there are so many suffering children?” Well, this brings both children and animals together. It is politically very acceptable, and, let’s face it, makes wonderful PR.
So, as long as we don’t have to fund it, SPANA is very supportive – and thank goodness, it’s not that difficult to find funding.
In Aleppo we are helping a special needs school set up the first riding project. It doesn’t hurt that the President’s wife is very keen.
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
What a place!
Nice little story. 
A big Jenny donkey is brought in a couple of weeks ago, with acute mange on the fore-legs that had become infected.
She was also pregnant, and half way through the treatment, gave birth to a lively little foal.
I was there when the owner came for them.
“What a place!” he said “ I bring in one sick donkey, and go home with two. Healthy ones as well! Thank you SPANA very much
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
New foal in Marrakech
Tommy has a rival. “Peepo”, (Ye Gods, who thought that one up?) was born a month ago, to a Jenny donkey riddled with terminal cancer. Unlike Tommy, he was full term, but of course also with no mother, as she had to be put down out of her pain and misery.
But what a little star he is ! He tripped around all the guests, nuzzling in for as much fuss and attention as possible, before tripping over to the next group. There must have been a thousand photos and “Ah, isn’t he just adorable…….”.
Problem is, he lives with Tommy, no doubt a bad influence on him.
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Tommy and the British Ambassador
There's never a dull moment at SPANA.
The British Ambassador opened the garden to the great and the good of Marrakech on Saturday – and , all credit to the staff the garden looked stunning.
It was great to see young ‘Tommy’ again – born on October 11th, 2009, he’s eight months old, and rapidly turning into a juvenile delinquent. Let out of his stable, he careers around the whole place, knocking kit and equipment flying, and deliberately baiting the other animals.
Of course, the problem is, he’s thoroughly spoilt, with no mother to discipline him, and thinks he’s human.
Thank God, Dr. Boubker still loves him.
