" Cinco de Mayo "
May 5th denotes the day in 1867 when the Mexican army defeated the last of the French forces that were occupying the country. It is one of the most important annual holidays in Mexico.
May 5th denotes the day in 1867 when the Mexican army defeated the last of the French forces that were occupying the country. It is one of the most important annual holidays in Mexico.
Los Ayala
Local Folks - Lin & Jim
Local Folks - Lin & Jim
We had a dream to have a home on the ocean in a small town in Mexico with a beautiful tropical garden and a swimmable, sandy beach. Only a dream: I never thought it would happen!
During our search for our dream, my husband, Jim and I, traveled as well as worked throughout Mexico from the north to south, to the east coast, all the way to the west coast. We traveled to Cancun and along the entire length of the Mayan Peninsula; visiting all the special unique places Mexico offered. We had seen most of Mexico and delighted in what was offered via history, culture and tourism.
However, always in our minds was this home, on the ocean, with a tropical garden and a swimmable beach! Upon completing our extensive search of Mexico, we finally found Los Ayala and kept this small piece of paradise in mind! On our second visit to Los Ayala, we came upon a small house on Los Ayala beach with a for sale sign and we fell in love. It was meant to be! We have never looked back!
Since then we have lovingly renovated and decorated our beach home in a colonial, colourful and somewhat fanciful style. We added suites in order to open our home to guests, offering vacation rentals to animal lovers. Our home is aptly named and called Casa Contenta although it has been nicknamed “The Mermaid House”.
However, paradise is never perfect as we realized whenever we walked down our beautiful beach, only to see many starving and mangy dogs, many too sad to describe. It became unbearable. We ended up adopting dogs that were left in the street to die. We started helping people find veterinarians to help sick animals and we also tried to help by flying these animals home to Canada for adoption.
Then, we had to confront animal poisoning. Simply stated when there are too many street dogs and cats, poison was put out to control the unwanted population. In our area, it takes a weeks’ salary to pay for spaying or neutering and most animals need to be taken to Puerto Vallarta to receive proper care; which is over an hour away. Almost impossible for most Mexicans living on limited income in our area. I knew there needed to be a better solution.
We witnessed at least three animals dying from rat poison. It was difficult to witness the pain and struggle for life which went on for hours. Then one of our beloved dogs managed to escape from our yard. Our dog ate rat poison and we had to spend all night trying to save an animal we loved. Despite three veterinarians assistance, we were unable to save our pet. Never again! There was a mission for me in Mexico! Yet another challenge!
The solution came when I began to receive some donations from like-minded people who wanted to help. PEACE was contacted to offer free spay and neuter clinics for homeless cats and dogs as well as to offer assistance to Mexican families who loved their animals. The rest is history: Since then, JBAR (Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue) has spayed or neutered over 1500 animals in the Jaltemba Bay area and adopted out hundred of animals to good homes. Most returning tourists comment on the difference regarding the health of the local animals and the lack of starving dogs on our beaches. I am so thankful for all the help from volunteers who have helped us!
So I now can walk the beach with sense of tranquility, knowing our animals have a chance. I am back in paradise!
If your wish to be a volunteer add your name to my newsletter or simply help out by making a donation to Jaltemba Animal Rescue:
Contact Lin by Email: Lin Chimes
To Donate to Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue: JBAR
If you wish to be a guest at the beautiful Casa Contenta
(for animal lovers), and experience vacationing on Pacific Mexico’s best swimming beach... Visit our web site at Casa Contenta
During our search for our dream, my husband, Jim and I, traveled as well as worked throughout Mexico from the north to south, to the east coast, all the way to the west coast. We traveled to Cancun and along the entire length of the Mayan Peninsula; visiting all the special unique places Mexico offered. We had seen most of Mexico and delighted in what was offered via history, culture and tourism.
However, always in our minds was this home, on the ocean, with a tropical garden and a swimmable beach! Upon completing our extensive search of Mexico, we finally found Los Ayala and kept this small piece of paradise in mind! On our second visit to Los Ayala, we came upon a small house on Los Ayala beach with a for sale sign and we fell in love. It was meant to be! We have never looked back!
Since then we have lovingly renovated and decorated our beach home in a colonial, colourful and somewhat fanciful style. We added suites in order to open our home to guests, offering vacation rentals to animal lovers. Our home is aptly named and called Casa Contenta although it has been nicknamed “The Mermaid House”.
However, paradise is never perfect as we realized whenever we walked down our beautiful beach, only to see many starving and mangy dogs, many too sad to describe. It became unbearable. We ended up adopting dogs that were left in the street to die. We started helping people find veterinarians to help sick animals and we also tried to help by flying these animals home to Canada for adoption.
Then, we had to confront animal poisoning. Simply stated when there are too many street dogs and cats, poison was put out to control the unwanted population. In our area, it takes a weeks’ salary to pay for spaying or neutering and most animals need to be taken to Puerto Vallarta to receive proper care; which is over an hour away. Almost impossible for most Mexicans living on limited income in our area. I knew there needed to be a better solution.
We witnessed at least three animals dying from rat poison. It was difficult to witness the pain and struggle for life which went on for hours. Then one of our beloved dogs managed to escape from our yard. Our dog ate rat poison and we had to spend all night trying to save an animal we loved. Despite three veterinarians assistance, we were unable to save our pet. Never again! There was a mission for me in Mexico! Yet another challenge!
The solution came when I began to receive some donations from like-minded people who wanted to help. PEACE was contacted to offer free spay and neuter clinics for homeless cats and dogs as well as to offer assistance to Mexican families who loved their animals. The rest is history: Since then, JBAR (Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue) has spayed or neutered over 1500 animals in the Jaltemba Bay area and adopted out hundred of animals to good homes. Most returning tourists comment on the difference regarding the health of the local animals and the lack of starving dogs on our beaches. I am so thankful for all the help from volunteers who have helped us!
So I now can walk the beach with sense of tranquility, knowing our animals have a chance. I am back in paradise!
If your wish to be a volunteer add your name to my newsletter or simply help out by making a donation to Jaltemba Animal Rescue:
Contact Lin by Email: Lin Chimes
To Donate to Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue: JBAR
If you wish to be a guest at the beautiful Casa Contenta
(for animal lovers), and experience vacationing on Pacific Mexico’s best swimming beach... Visit our web site at Casa Contenta
Lin Chimes & Jim Stewart
About Lin & Jim...
The couple who realized their dream of living on Pacific Mexico's most beautiful swimming beach and who made a difference in our community with the Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue Program. (JBAR)
Even after all these years of wintering in Los Ayala, you will find Lin swimming at Los Ayala beach most every day. Jim is your man if you are inclined to hike to Punta Raza or even all the way to Lo de Marcos. Jim, on occasion kayaks to Punta Raza which is easier physically, but not for the faint of heart due to the large waves and strong undertow in Punta Raza.
Lin established and still leads the Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue Program which has made a world of difference to stray animals in Los Ayala and the community of Jaltemba Bay.
The couple who realized their dream of living on Pacific Mexico's most beautiful swimming beach and who made a difference in our community with the Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue Program. (JBAR)
Even after all these years of wintering in Los Ayala, you will find Lin swimming at Los Ayala beach most every day. Jim is your man if you are inclined to hike to Punta Raza or even all the way to Lo de Marcos. Jim, on occasion kayaks to Punta Raza which is easier physically, but not for the faint of heart due to the large waves and strong undertow in Punta Raza.
Lin established and still leads the Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue Program which has made a world of difference to stray animals in Los Ayala and the community of Jaltemba Bay.
Magical
Lin Chimes & Jim Stewart
Los Ayala, Nayarit
Los Ayala, Nayarit
