“We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have first waited in the darkness”

The photos of Valentina arrived in my email inbox late one evening last Summer. A woman in Juarez had seen her on the street and took some pictures of her to see if we would be able to help.

The photos were so haunting I was unable to sleep that night. There were a series of snapshots of her that graphically revealed several severe injuries. The bone on her right foreleg was exposed, severed, and sticking out. The toes on the opposite foot were swollen, infected, and cut. She was pictured beneath a car in an empty lot where she had been hiding out, fending for herself.

We asked the woman to immediately go back for Valentina and get her to a veterinarian. While I wanted to remain hopeful that we could actually save her, I guarded my optimism carefully beside more pragmatic questions: How could she still be alive with wounds that severe? Did she have a systemic infection by this time? Would her pain make her aggressive? Even if we could treat her injuries, were they too grave for her to enjoy a high quality of life once she healed?

Valentina did not greet the local woman with an ounce of aggression. She immediately responded to a friendly human with genuine appreciation and an enthusiastic tail wag. She loaded up into the woman’s car without hesitation and, reportedly, while at the veterinarian sat patiently while the entire clinic staff examined her incredible injuries. Despite her exquisite pain, she allowed them to do whatever they needed and even gave them kisses and never stopped wagging her tail as they tended to her.

Three days and two operations later, Valentina was a new dog. She had to have her front leg, which was horrifically infected, amputated – along with the toes on the other front foot. Remarkably, within days of the operation she was running around, playing, and showing no signs of distress at all.

Valentina remained in foster in Juarez for several weeks while she recovered and then CWOB headed to Juarez to pick her up for the rescue.

I was so anxious to meet her . I had spent months on end thinking (okay, worrying) about this dog and the original images of her still made me quiver. Our first meeting, and our subsequent 28 hour drive back to California with the other 13 rescued dogs, was more gratifying than I can ever express . All the worrying, all the “what ifs”, all the angst over this poor dog’s suffering dissolved into sheer, untainted gratitude that we had been able to help such a divinely sweet, joyous and loving soul.
She was a miracle.

Valentina has since been adopted thanks to our partner organization CAPE. She now lives in a home where she is absolutely cherished and more than a little pampered. Her mother reports that she adapted to the good life without skipping a beat and that the household is a happier place now that it is filled with her radiant personality. Valentina gets around just fine, despite her handicap, and loves to play, run around, and just be a carefree dog.

Valentina has helped to remind me why I cofounded CWOB in the fist place and why we will never stop working to help the animals of Mexico. She is a living reminder that hope is possible, tragedy can be overcome, and all of our hard work is worth the effort.

Help us to Save More!

For just $100.00 you can sponsor a rescue dog from Mexico and help to save his or her life! We'll send you the photo and story of your rescue dog and you will literally have enabled us to save that animal from certain death in Mexico.