Pearl – A Mexican Pug like No Other
-Dr.Christi Camblor, DVM
 When working in Mexico, no matter what the project, I expect to pick up a few rescues along the way. Wherever you travel south of the border, injured, mistreated, homeless animals seem to be ever present and I, myself, seem to serve as a magnet for these types of critters.
Every new rescue is invariably bittersweet. The tragedy of some of these creatures, the physical and emotional wounds they bear, are very painful to behold. At the same time, their resilience, joyful transformation, and ability to begin again is wondrous and incredibly gratifying.
Such was the case with Pearl. Pearl was brought to our spay camp in Casas Grandes by a family that had taken her from their neighbor after he threatened to throw her in front of a car on a very busy street. She was covered in mange, her eyes scarred heavily. She had been a breeding dog who was, quite simply, no longer useful and an eyesore for the man who wanted to end her life. The family that saved her did not want her, either, and was hoping we could help?
 Fortunately, we could.
Pearl was so frightened that she would not move – she was literally frozen in a hunched position and unwilling to even walk around for several days. Her mange was fairly severe and bald patches outnumbered the haired portions on her body. She had severely ulcerated eyes {due to a chronic eyelid deformity}. She was, undeniably, pitiful.
So, we started with the basics – she underwent corrective eyelid surgery immediately with spay camp volunteer extraordinaire Dr. Karen Mueller from Washington. She was bathed with medicated shampoos, treated for mange, and showered with love and reassurance.
 Slowly, she began to unfold. I held her in my lap for the entire 24-hour drive from Mexico to Northern California, where I planned to bring her into my home and foster her until she was ready to be rehomed.
For the first part of the drive she remained tense, unable to truly receive affection without wincing or cowering. Then, I got my first kiss. I thought perhaps it was an accident. I leaned down to kiss her on the head during a bathroom break and she looked up and kissed me. Just like that.
Then, the first tail wag. Then, another. And, another. Until finally Pearl was wagging and kissing and snorting and snuffing just like a regular old Pug.
Pearl has been with me for the past two weeks. Her hair is growing in. Her eyes are healing. And, most miraculously, her spirit is thriving. She is unbelievably loving and, dare I say, downright happy. She runs around with her tail up and chest out, barking at tree squirrels and investigating the wonders of grass and potted plants.
She is unrecognizable compared to the battered soul I met just a few short weeks ago.
So, here’s to Pearl, a pug like no other who is living testimony to hope itself.
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