Our new street dog turned foster dog, Chavo. For the first two days he was with us he was hardly awake—slept like he hadn’t slept in months. We pulled huge ticks off of him and took him to the vet where he got a rabies shot and some other stuff for stomach bugs and fleas. Ali got in touch with some dog rescues in the area and quickly came to the realization that A) there was nowhere to take him, and B) there was no way to find him a family. It’s a supply and demand issue. Supply of street dogs is high, demand for street dogs is low. All the local rescue people are full to overcapacity, and pretty much every other person in town that loves dogs already has three more than they probably set out to have in the first place.
So, Ali reached out on Facebook, and within a few minutes had a home for him in Minnesota, on forty odd acres of land with a couple other dogs, and a whole bunch of rescue bunnies. Seems like it’s pretty much an animal utopia. The logistics of this aren’t easy, and it’s not easy on the wallet, but it’s doable. So with the help of some really nice people here in town, we’ll be sending Chavo off in a couple of weeks, healthy, and neutered, to a new home.
Having a dog—especially a dog who isn’t feeling the best—has greatly hindered our ability to get out. This did at least allow us to find the best Chinese takeout anywhere.
So many kids in Guatemala will never really get to be kids.
The first few days we couldn’t get him to walk the two blocks to the nearest grass, but eventually Chavo started to feel well enough to get out.
Ali and I got out for an early Sunday morning stroll while the kids stayed home with Chavo. It’s funny how unnatural it feels to us to even go for a walk around town without the kids. I think I’ll forever be putting my arm out at crosswalks to catch them, even when they aren’t there.
39 Comments on “Guatemala Street Dog”
What a lucky dog to have found you!
Wish we could help more. So many dogs.
This is so wonderful! I’ve been following you guys for a few months now and I so appreciate you guys sharing your life with us!
Thanks, Kat. We cannot stop now — been too many years.
The pup is smiling in the pic with Ali and the kids. Great pics.
So cute right?!
Glad you found him a home. It’s a shame you can’t keep him, but traveling with dogs is “ruff.” Turns out our most recent rescue gets horribly seasick. Never had that issue with previous dogs, and I have no idea how you would even test for that at the rescue. We have to drug him anytime we leave the dock, which isn’t much fun for us or him.
We’ve been dog-less this long, going to keep at it until we have some land and traveling less. Sorry to hear about the seasickness. Who would have thought.
Thank you so much for taking care of Chavo. It’s what I would have done, but there aren’t too many people like us. Love you guys even more now! How’s Chacho the monkey?
Thanks, Maureen. I have to look away daily, and that is so hard. I want to help them all.
Chacho, from what we hear no changes yet. Things move slower in Mexico…we are keeping our fingers crossed (and in contact with the rescue).
Chavo is so lucky to have found you guys! Can’t wait to see pictures of his new life on the farm???
Finally something we agree on, Diane. 🙂
Great job. Larger dogs are harder to find adopters. Everyone wants puppies. But this dog hit the jackpot !
Agree. Chavo is a good medium size 30 lb dog. Our current town of San Pedro, man there are a lot of dogs. I’m closing my eyes. 🙂
Lucky pup! Beautiful, too. What a great post to change my attitude today! Thanks, Bums!
Thanks, Andrea. Glad we could help.
Someday in someway that dog will repay you and the Minnesota family adopting him.
Thanks, Mike, but I don’t need repaying. One dog out of the millions it seems I’ve passed by. This one just came together.
Aw man, now he’s got to learn to understand English, with a Scandinavian accent.
🙂 🙂
What an absolutely adorable dog, and how wonderful of you to rescue him and spend the money to get him care and a wonderful new home in the US. He has no idea how very lucky he is! There are so many street dogs here in Mexico as well, and too few families wanting yet another dog. I feed a bunch of them on every bike ride, and my heart breaks a thousand times each time I see them! You guys are the best. Thank you. 🙂 <3
Oh yes the Mexican street dogs got to me too. Always had food in my bag, and dragged a few into the clinic.
Thank you again so much for taking this sweet dog home and taking the time and money to get him well and adopted. It’s so wonderful. Just an FYI, the new owners may want to have him tested for Lyme disease or other tick borne diseases. They can often be mitigated with antibiotics, could save them lots of health bills later. Thanks again for being good humans.
Work, money and logistics — cannot believe it is happening. He is going to have such a good life.
Hi
What breed of dog is that
Looks like there is a bit of whippet in there
cheers
Hi Bruce, breed is Guatemalan mutt, mixed many times over by whatever girl was in heat. Haven’t seen any whippets around town.
Two rescue pups here, one sleeping on my foot, the other less than a foot away. Thanks for rescuing and doing the right thing for one dog. What a lucky pup.
Yes, one dog at a time (for now). Rescues are the best. Thanks for helping two yourself.
I am thinking Ally may want to keep him . They look happy and comfortable together.
No. I found him a good home where I know he will be loved and happy. That makes me happy.
I was just reading on the Animal Rescue Site that Delta and United are the worst for transporting animals. Many have died. Southwest is the best. Even better is the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association. Thought you may like this info for Chavo.
Thanks but SW doesn’t fly to Guatemala City. The rescue here uses United PetSafe with good results. I don’t have many choices as I’m kind of out of the loop now that the rescue has Chavo and they are in touch with his adoptive family directly. We just have the bill to pay now. 🙂
We fully understand the need to rescue some of these homeless animals.
When we were in Panama last year house sitting for a guy that wanted to
travel to Columbia, part of our duties was to feed and care for his
cat, Niña. Everything went OK for the first few days and then a ferral
cat showed up and started taking Niña’s food away from her. At that
point, we started feeding Nina on the back porch and we put out food for
the ferral cat in the carport at the front of the house. Linda contacted
a friend of the house’s owner that rescued ferral cats and found a foster
home for our ferral cat. Before we left Panama to return to the US, we
borrowed a cat trap and caught our ferral. Then we made a trip to a vet
in David and paid to have him neutered before delivering him to his new
owners who met us there at the veterinary.
Well that is a happy ending. Hoping to have the same for Chavo.
Now that we’re back on land, our family is dog shopping. When people ask us what kind of dog we want, we’re always like, Medium Yellow. Basically every street dog from Panama through Mexico.
I am cuddling with my Guatemalan street dog right now!
Gus and I adopted each other 8 years ago via AWARE rescue. He is my best friend!!
Ah, hooray. So many dogs, so so many dogs. Happy for you and Gus. The only downside is now my kids want me to save all of them. 🙂
Hey guys! Could you connect me with some rescues in Minnesota?! I work with several rescues in Guatemala and am part of a new NGO Patitas Callejeras and any connections I can make with rescues that can take in dogs would be amazing! I’ve rehomed and rescued over 100 or so, check me out on instagram @drdroolittlesfosters. The NGO is new and in collaboration with some amazing people! I’m currently home in the states and applied to veterinary school because I want to make more of a difference.
Great post – thank you for saving this pup!
Good on you, Karen! I think I was writing to you for help with Chavo when you were posting that you were losing your shelter in Guatemala. Veterinary school! Way to go the extra mile. Seriously good work.
I haven’t worked directly with any rescues in Minnesota, but I was talking to https://www.muttmuttengine.org and they are doing amazing things working with loads of rescues to help even more animals. I will keep you in mind should I come about anything.