 Describing Samantha as a ray of sunshine may actually be an understatement. Weighing in at about 8 lbs, this 6 month old Pomerania is so full of radiance, so absolutely alive, she seems more like the sun itself.
I first met Samantha late at night in Juarez, Mexico. Earlier that day, she had been rescued by our local partners APRODEA from the animal control center , where she was to be euthanized. Samantha had been picked up off the streets with a horrific injury to her rear leg that left the bone exposed and the tissues surrounding infected and necrotic.
 Her injury had clearly taken its toll on her – she was thin, depressed, and as I examined her she seemed rather indifferent to my touch or attention, wanting only to lay down and rest.
Samantha underwent surgical amputation and received the appropriate medical rehabilitation for the next few weeks. She stayed in foster in Juarez during this period, where she was nurtured by her foster mom who doted upon her constantly and helped to heal her from the inside out.
The next time I saw Samantha, about 6 weeks after my first encounter with her, I hardly recognized her. She was running around the patio at her foster home so energetically, I could hardly tell she was on 3 legs and not four. She was jumping up on my leg, pleading for attention and trying to engage me in play. She was playing with the other dogs. She was, a happy, healthy, well adjusted young Pomeranian puppy with her whole life ahead of her.
 Samantha has gone on to be adopted by a wonderful family in Northern California thanks to our partner organization Small Dog Rescue. She is clearly loved, living the good life on the California coast, enjoying the beach, swimming in lakes, and strolling around her new, beautiful garden.
Samantha shines with the light of a soul that nearly lost its spark way too soon and is now determined to burn brighter than ever.
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