Today was hard, very hard. We took one of our rescue dogs to Cancun airport for transport to Canada. To an Animal Shelter!
On 25 October I got an email from a friend, also a dog rescuer. She has a relationship with a shelter in Canada that takes rescue dogs from Mexico and has a very good turnaround on adoptions, quick adoptions. Apparently NW Canada is in a similar situation to NE United States of America in that they actually have more desire for dogs than actual dogs. Being strict with rules about sterilization and animal control really pays off.
She was going up with 2 of her own rescues, and a rescue from another group. She had space for one more and knew how hard we have been trying, unsuccessfully, to to place Mariposa. Mariposa’s rescue story here
Mariposa has been with us for 10 months, we love her, she is part of our family! Unfortunately our other dogs didn’t feel the same. The fights were getting progressively worse and more vicious. Rubi didn’t want to go out, or come in, depending where Mariposa was.
It’s not that Mariposa was mean or anything, she wasn’t – she is nothing but sweetness and love, she’s just young, and vigorous in her play. And the complete antithesis to our other dogs who are all mellow and slow. Mari would run circles around them, grabbing and jumping and pulling, and just in general annoying to them.
But with us, she is just sweetness and affection. If you are sitting at the computer, reading a book or watching tv she will come with a toy and place her chest across your leg so you can hold whatever she has while she chews on it. She’s very interactive. She will sit and stare at you and make a growly grrrrrrr sound which means she wants attention, it could be to go out side to potty, or to play. She will jump up while you are sitting and place her paws on your shoulders for a hug. She is absolutely adorable and really deserves an energetic person to share her life with.
So we made the decision, a difficult decision, but the right decision. We couldn’t find her a home here, she deserves a good home, and where she is going will afford her an opportunity we couldn’t find for her here.
We’ve had to have animals put down due to disease, and trust me, this is worse. When they die it is grief, grief for your loss. We have that, and on top we have the guilt – why couldn’t we make it work, what else could we have done, have we done the wrong thing, what if she doesn’t get a good family, what if, what if, what if! Trust me, this is worse than if she had died!
She is confused, scared, doesn’t understand, and I can’t console her, keep her warm, keep her safe.
Yes, this is definitely worse!
Life after Mérida, Debi in Richmond 
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Any update? Has she found a home?
So sorry you guys. You really went the extra mile and she was lucky to have lived with you. I am freezing here in Portland and need to get out and about today although it is in the 40’sF. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr My best to you, Nancy Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 01:58:31 +0000 To: princesanancy@hotmail.com
Debi -She is a beauty and should not have any problem getting placed.
Debi,
I am sure that Mariposa will find her forever home in Canada. Don’t think of it as a failure, she will probably end up in a family with kids to play with her, which is what she needs and is unlikely here. It was hard letting go, but you did the right thing.
regards,
Theresa
Thanks Theresa, I am hoping beyond all measure of reality that you are correct, and that it happens very quickly. unlike the other dogs that went up, who were kennel kept dogs, she’s always been a home kept dog, she’s never been kenneled for more that a few hours. And it’s cold up there!