Miguelita in Santiago, Guatemala, April 2008
Miguelita Ready To Go, Panajachel, May 2008
Panajachel – It was a happy scene at Zoo Mascota, home of Healthy Pets clinics and emergency services. After living on the streets of Santiago for her entire life with a hip fracture, on May 3rd Miguelita headed off to Guatemala City to board a plane bound for her new home in Maryland USA.
After clearing US Customs in Miami, Miguelita arrived safely around midnight of the same day.
Nancy D., a volunteer for the Hospitalito in Santiago, discovered Miguelita barely able to move and starving near the town center. Nancy began feeding and taking fresh water to her daily. Within no time, Miguelita began to respond and it was obvious, she was a gentle, affectionate street dog.
About this time, Healthy Pets was in the process of planning the first free and low-cost sterilization clinic in Santiago. Nancy contacted the program and asked for help with sweet Miguelita.
Due to her weakness, it was determined that Miguelita was not a candidate for the clinic and was therefore transferred to Panajachel where she was vaccinated, wormed and boarded at Zoo Mascota. Once she regained her strength, she was spayed and x-rayed, which revealed the slight hip fracture.
After her return to the US, Nancy continued to help Miguelita and ultimately decided that she would adopt her. Luckily for all concerned, good friend Ken W. was flying back at the right moment and graciously offered to transport Miguelita to her new Mom!
The story of Nancy and Miguelita is becoming common. Visiting volunteers find their hearts unexpectedly stolen by Atitlan’s street dogs. This makes the 4th homeless dog to be transported to a good home in the US through the Healthy Pets Program.
4 responses so far ↓
Nancy // 6 May 2008 at 4:29 pm |
Just a note to let everyone know that Miguelita is doing fine. After a quick bath on Sunday, she settled into her new home on the side porch. I was able to coax her into the kitchen this morning for the first time for just a few minutes. It’s clear, this little girl has a lot to get used to, but I’m sure we will have her feeling safe in doors soon. She is just as gentle as those sweet eyes look. And we have discovered that she talks! I think it’s happy talk.
Mike Makowski // 7 May 2008 at 12:58 am |
Way to go, Nancy. Miguelita will soon realize she has found herself living La Docle Vita
Selaine // 7 May 2008 at 4:53 pm |
Hey Nancy,
It is definitely happy talk! She talked to us from time to time, too. She’s so expressive with her eyes and voice!
Nancy // 19 May 2008 at 5:16 pm |
May 18, 2008
Barely 6 weeks in her new home, and Miguelita is feeling just fine–I came down the other nite to find her snuggled into my favorite corner of the couch. She must be coaxed into her crate nowadays, and she is even beginning to feel the need to guard the house (last nite, she began barking at the neighbor who was making loud noises in his garden shed)–shy street dog no more.
Despite her fractured hip (and fractured 7th vertebrae!), she is walking more and more each day. However, only controled walking until her surgery.
We love this girl more and more each day.