Ricky Shakes Bonbon -- and a Baby Rattle?

1. HOT AND KIND, WOW I LOVE YOU RICKY...GOD YOUR SO HOOOOOOOOT!

Posted at 3:47PM on Nov 15th 2006 by usuck*&^*&

2. Ricky Martin is great, i think that he is amazing at whatever he does!!

Posted at 3:47PM on Nov 15th 2006 by Adrose

3. ISN'T HE GAY?

Posted at 3:55PM on Nov 15th 2006 by JULIE

4. Why #4 cause he doesnt sleep with everything that smells like tw*t..or is it cause hes so cute and kind!

Posted at 4:00PM on Nov 15th 2006 by eli

5. #5 I WAS JUST WONDERING IF HE'S GAY. I DONT REALLY CARE

Posted at 4:03PM on Nov 15th 2006 by JULIE

6. Why do people think he and Clay Aikin are gay?

Posted at 4:05PM on Nov 15th 2006 by Spiratacus

7. Ricky Martin can shake his bon-bon on my face any day!!

Posted at 4:08PM on Nov 15th 2006 by poop

8. HELL NO...DON'T LET THIS PERV GET NEAR A KID. HELL NO, NO WAY.
THAT IS JUST SICK.

Posted at 4:17PM on Nov 15th 2006 by DICK

9. why #9...its not like he is michael jackson or anything....

Posted at 4:29PM on Nov 15th 2006 by Jacqui

10. Hey Spiratacus are you serious. Hell yes Clay Aiken is gay. He may not know it yet but yep he's gay. And as far as Ricky Martin adopting, if he does I just hopes he adopts a child from the US, you know there are kids here to that need good homes, and a loving family.

I think that the adopting thing is just a fad right now and I hope it ends soon.

Posted at 9:36AM on Nov 16th 2006 by Kimberly

11. #7, because Ricky Martin and Clay Aiken are gay, not that there's anything wrong with it.

Posted at 4:49PM on Nov 15th 2006 by shar

12. Gloria Marti is another HERO from Puerto Rico like you, Ricky. wish so much that you or your people could call and congraulate her. It would mean so much!!

"San Juan Star - 11/11/06

Gloria Marti: Puerto Rico ’s Lifetime Dog Protector

BEST FRIENDS
By Peggy Ann Bliss


Gloria Martí, an unsung heroine in Puerto Rico’s animal protection movement, has been nominated for one of the most prestigious awards given by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The Henry Bergh & Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to one of 13 finalists Sunday at a banquet in New York .

On Friday, the ASPCA announced that the Lifetime Achievement Award went to Adele Douglass, a New Yorker who promoted the Certified Humane program for farm animals. The Henry Bergh Award went to Ruth Steinberger, who promoted a spay/neuter service for pets of low-income families in Olkahoma. Though Martí didn’t win, Puerto Rico couldn’t be prouder of their Lifetime Dog Protector. Save-a Sato Foundation president Chantal Robles, who has worked for Martí for 15 years,caller her “a selfless woman of great energy and enthusiasm.

“The winners of this prestigious award have done wonderful things for animals, and for that we are grateful,”she said. “But here in Puerto Rico , Gloria Martí is our Lifetime Award Winner, and she will be duly recognized as such with a plaque from the board in the near future.”

The word sato in Puerto Rico means a mixed-breed cat or dog. Although they are often strays, or realengos , they are also lost, abandoned or kicked out dogs, who make loving pets when rehabilitated. In the states, these rejects have become a status symbol and an object of intense devotion by their new owners. Many, like Donna Lenz, of Bethel , Conn. , have taken an interest in the animal rescue movement on the island. “It’s pretty amazing; she was picked out of 600 nominations,” said Lenz, in a telephone interview with Best Friends.

“Gloria works 365 days a year in the shelter and cleans 85 dog kennels a day,” said Lenz, who nominated Martí, a licensed paralegal. “Volunteers come, but they don’t stay very long, because who wants to clean dog poop?” Lenz, who visited the Save-a-Sato program here for a week, has two Puerto Rican satos Gypsy and Ambar and a cat named Morgan born with diabetes. She and her husband Erich also provide homes for a variety of abandoned small pets like prairie dogs, rats and ferrets. Lenz’s letter of nomination, edited and condensed, follows:

“In 1994, Gloria Martí and three other women were drawn together by their sadness at the treatment of animals in their native Puerto Rico . Along with Karen Fehrenback, Chantal Robles and Leilani Belendez, Gloria Martí began rescuing dogs from horrendous conditions and curing their severe mange, open wounds, acid burns and broken bones. Using their own funds, these women paid the vet bills and found good homes for the animals. “In 1996 the group incorporated Save A Sato as a non profit organization, and opened a small animal shelter with Gloria Martí as shelter director. The animals stay there until they are ready to go to several shelters in the Northeast which accept ITAL satos ITAL when they have the space. At the stateside shelters, the dogs are spayed and neutered, and offered in adoption to deserving families. From the adoption fees, the shelters send a small donation to Save A Sato for medical and transportation costs. “For 10 years, Gloria Martí has worked tirelessly 365 days a year. She arrives every morning at 7, to clean cages and feed the residents. Some dogs need medication or mange dips. Puppies may need bottle feeding. Each dog gets play time and love and kisses. Vet runs are often interrupted when Gloria spots a needy dog on the side of the road. On days when the ITAL satos ITAL fly to the states, Gloria gets to the shelter at 5 AM to set up kennels for 30 dogs. Each Sato has been matched with a dog friend for the flight to their forever home. Before they are loaded in the car for the trip to the airport, each dog gets a final exam, a hug and kiss goodbye. Gloria has watched them rehabilitate, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally, and she bids them good by with tears of sadness mixed with joy. “My husband and I adopted our first sato four years ago. While surfing the Net, we found Gypsy’s picture and fell in love. The next day when the shelter opened we were there for an adoption that changed our lives. This is Gypsy’s story: One night about 9 on Simón Madera Street , Gloria spotted a tiny Chihuahua mix. For about 10 minutes she followed the disoriented dog down the dark street, to a demolished building site. Gypsy came right to Gloria, who took her back to the shelter, gave her a good dinner and a toy, and put her to bed. After that, Sato Magic took over. “The rescue of Rubio seemed even more unlikely. When Gloria found Rubio, he was in pain and barely alive, completely hairless, his skin peeling off from horrendous burns. The veterinarian suggested euthanasia. “But Gloria took Rubio to the shelter, and went home and cried. She didn’t sleep all night. The next day when she arrived, the big guy was waiting at the front of his kennel wagging his tail, an act which saved his life. “She got special skin creams and pain killers from the vet, every day as she nursed him back to health, he would give her kisses. When he was strong enough and his hair had grown back, he flew to Massachusetts where he was adopted by a family who calls him Buddy.

“Another success story is Kojak, who had been hung with wires from a tree and tortured. Again, Gloria soothed his pain and cured his wounds, and he now lives the life of luxury in the Bronx . “Gloria is a true heroine. She radiates a love for animals which the ITAL satos ITAL are immediately drawn to. It’s wonderful to see the abused, sad victims of street life immediately relax in her presence.”"

Posted at 5:13PM on Nov 15th 2006 by cate

13. Cate, #13. Thank you for reminding me that there are much more important things to read about today. I am going to make a donation immediately. Truly inspirational. Animals rule.

Posted at 5:51PM on Nov 15th 2006 by DDog

14. Thanks cate for the link to www.saveasato.org - When I get another dog I will try to adopt from them!

Posted at 5:43PM on Nov 15th 2006 by ccc

15. ccc, they are wonderful wonderful ladies! The awful things that they see and deal wih would break your heart. But they are helping so many!!

I wish wish wish that some celebrities with Puerto Rican heritage could just lend a helping hand and help get the word out about their work. Jennifer Lopez? Jimmy Smits?

Posted at 5:50PM on Nov 15th 2006 by cate