MEXI-MUTT OF THE MONTH
Manolito
A Meximutt Mascot

-Christi Payne, CWOB Cofounder

Manolito was one of the very first dogs we rescued from Mexico. He had been tied up on the side of a busy freeway in Mexico City -- out in front of the Refugio Franciscano, a large no-kill shelter that houses around 1,800 animals.

Manolito was reportedly very withdrawn when he first entered the shelter, having been extremely traumatized by being tied up and abandoned. He remained in the shelter for the next several years and slowly began to come out of his shell.

When we first began rescuing dogs from the Refugio, back in 2002, we didn’t even notice Manolito. With hundreds and hundreds of homeless canines surrounding you, it is easy to overlook some – especially those that are more mild mannered, as Manny was.

We began snapping photos of little, adoptable dogs we felt would be good for the rescue to share with our partner organizations back in California.  We must have taken 200 pictures at that time. When I sat down to start sorting through them, I started to notice a big, scruffy white dog in the corner of practically every one. Who was that dog? I hadn’t ever noticed him…what was he doing in each photo?

At the Refugio, approximately half of the dogs run loose and are free to wander where they please on the property. I had been volunteering daily for about a year at this time and had a solid crew of about 50 dogs or so who followed me faithfully throughout my daily routine. I had thought I knew each one personally. Apparently, my most loyal follower had yet to introduce himself.

The next time I entered the Refugio I scanned the dogs to look for my secret admirer. Sure enough, within 10 minutes he showed up and just quietly set his sights on me and began to follow my every movement. He never once pushed his way to the front, or jumped on me or demanded my attention. He just followed. And watched. And carefully maneuvered his way through the dogs to maintain his constant close proximity.

From the very first instant I set eyes on him, I was in love. I decided then and there that he would be in the very first batch of rescue dogs to go to California to be adopted out.

Manny  turned out to be one of the sweetest, most gentle souls I have ever met. He never did make it to our official rescue…because I simply could not give him up.  He has been by my side ever since, helping to fuel my desire to help the other animals of Mexico – not to mention serving as a most devastatingly handsome spokesperson for Meximutts worldwide.

Help us to Save More!
For just $100.00 you can sponsor a rescue dog from Mexico and help to save his or her life! We'll send you the photo and story of your rescue dog and you will literally have enabled us to save that animal from certain death in Mexico.