25 expat voices: Marcia Hass

Expat: Marcia Hass

Dedicated to: Animal rescue

Originally from: Plentywood and Missoula, Montana.

Lives in: Six kilometers from Tepoztlán, Morelos.

Living in Mexico: Since June 2006.

Why did you move to Mexico?

My concept of an ideal life, once retired, was to live at least part of the year in some Latin American country. In 1994, long-time friends invited me to their house outside Tepoztlán. I found the climate to be mild, not buggy, and above all, easy on my arthritic body. There were lots of trails to hike, and varied flora and fauna given Morelos' many microclimates. What's more, Tepoztlán boasts a pre-Colombian pyramid high atop a mountain. My travels had always included trips to archeological sites; a village with its own ancient site seemed heaven-sent.

Tell us about your work in animal rescue and controlling over-population.

Getting involved was rather simple. Dogs, mostly females, were abandoned at a nearby crossroads. They followed me home as I returned from a walk. Eventually, as the locals came to know I took in dogs, some were left at the gate to the property.

Animals have always played a part in my life. My mother told me that as a child I walked up to any and every dog I encountered to kiss and pet it. My siblings and I grew up on a small farm where there were always cats, dogs, rabbits, ducks, chickens, pigs, and cattle. I have returned in many ways to the life of my youth: rural, with a big sky and animals.

The rewards when one takes in a ill, starving, lonely, frightened animal that blossoms, often within hours, are huge.

The not-so-exotic secret to controlling the animal population is sterilization. Some of my Mexican neighbors have also begun to sterilize their pets, partly through my example, but largely due to the efforts of people who organize sterilization campaigns at low cost for those who bring in their animals. The culture of rural Mexico is slowly accepting the idea of sterilization. This is important.

These animals are, in very large part, my life here. It was not envisioned, planned, or even desired, but as the saying goes, "I'm in the pickup, and it's headed for Dodge."

What are both the best and the hardest things about being an expat in Mexico?

The best things about being an expat are that I get to speak Spanish daily and enjoy the variety of Mexican cuisine.

The hardest aspects of my life involve pondering and planning for the time when my age, health, and especially finances may curtail my being able to continue my "accidental" activities. If I were living in the United States, I would be able to plan for the animals' future with family and friends who would assume responsibility. Some might be accepted in a no-kill animal shelter. These are options not readily available here in Mexico.