Animals have a special way of making our world brighter.
They’re not only adorable but also loyal companions and treasured members of the family.
That’s why it’s so painful to realize how many of them face cruelty and neglect every single day. Instead of living safe, joyful lives in loving homes, countless dogs are forced to survive on the streets.
But every so often, a story comes along where kindhearted people step in — proving that compassion is still alive. This is one of those stories.
The Day Everything Changed
One hot summer afternoon, Rosa María Segura Alcántar and her husband, Erick, spotted something unusual while driving along a busy highway.
As they got closer, they realized it was a small dog. Without hesitation, they pulled over.
“She looked confused, dehydrated, and malnourished. We stopped, and she started coming towards us,” Rosa told The Dodo.
Erick waited for the traffic to clear, crossed the road, and gently scooped the pup into his arms before carrying her back to safety.
After spending a little time with her, Rosa and Erick noticed an old wound on the pup’s neck. They believed she had been tied up for a long time before someone abandoned her.
But what mattered most was that she wasn’t alone anymore. And she seemed to know it.
A New Chapter Begins
As they drove away, the couple watched the pup, later named Manzana, finally relax. She curled into their arms and drifted off to sleep, her guard lowered at last.
What Manzana didn’t know was that she had landed in the best hands possible. Rosa and Erick run Refugio Xollin, a loving animal shelter dedicated to rescuing, caring for, and rehoming dogs in need.
“We feel relieved to have Manzana with us. She would have died out there, either hit by a car or from a lack of food and water,” Rosa said.
For now, Rosa and Erick are showering her with love and care while they search for her perfect forever home.
“She’s already gained weight since her rescue. She is not aggressive at all. She is very calm, loving, caring and gets along with other dogs. Her little eyes are shining,” Rosa concluded.
With a family devoted to her wellbeing, it’s only a matter of time before Manzana finds the forever home where she will finally be cherished the way she deserves.