Elbows Off the Table, Rufus

They’re called “Satos” in Puerto Rico. They’re mostly small dogs with short, brown coats, all wearing the look of something you haven’t seen too often before. In the United States, they’re better known as simply just mutts.

At D’Jeet? in Shrewsbury this weekend, Project Animal Worldwide hosted a doggy date night to help raise money and awareness for the more than estimated 150,000 homeless dogs known only as Satos currently roaming the streets and beaches of Puerto Rico.

The special guest of the event was Brownie Moo, an amalgamation of breeds that just doesn’t seem like it should work. The pointy-nose and tall-eared Brownie Moo looks like a Chihuahua, just supersized. It turns out, based on a genetic test conducted recently, Brownie is not only part Chihuahua, but also Cocker Spaniel and, if you can believe it (we’ll give you a chance to check out the gallery up top and see for yourself if you don’t) Shar Pei.

Ellen La Torre and Jean Greller, both directors of Project Animal, said they realized something needed to be done after a trip to Puerto Rico. What they found when they traveled there were too many homeless dogs and no plan in place to help take care of them.

“Currently we are working in Puerto Rico to get a spay-neuter program up and running,” La Torre said. “We’ve also partnered with a shelter to help bring some dogs up for adoption.”

Project Animal, which is based in Shrewsbury, and has partnered with organizations like the local animal rescue and foster network Wag On Inn, believes that there’s a responsibility to assist Puerto Rico and its pups considering that it is a commonwealth.

So far this year, Project Animal has rescued 27 dogs, most of them suffering from conditions like heartworms, and brought them back to the states. All of the dogs rescued, including Brownie Moo, are up for adoption having been chosen because of their good temperaments and ability to get along well with other people and other pets.

If you’d like more information about Project Animal Worldwide or to learn how to help, visit www.projectanimal.org.