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The Inspiring Story of Linda the Chihuahua

In the world of animal rescue, there are stories that both break our hearts and inspire us to do more. Among the many dogs housed in our two rescue centers, Casa Grande […]

In the world of animal rescue, there are stories that both break our hearts and inspire us to do more. Among the many dogs housed in our two rescue centers, Casa Grande and Casa Rosa, one tiny dog stands out from the rest. Her name is Linda, a Chihuahua whose size and age make her the smallest and oldest dog in our care.

Weighing just over a kilogram and a half, Linda’s tiny frame belies her strength and resilience. At nearly 21 years old, she’s lived a long and eventful life. Two years ago, I received an emergency WhatsApp message asking for help with a dog who had lost her home. Linda’s owner, an elderly woman, had passed away, and her two children were unable to care for the little Chihuahua. There were well-founded reasons for them to believe that the best course of action was to have Linda rescued and brought to live with us.

When I first met Linda, two things caught my attention: her small size, barely reaching one and a half kilograms, and her remarkable presence, aura, and attitude. Despite her advanced age, Linda’s spirit shone through, and she was not to be underestimated. We took her straight to the veterinarian, and the very next day, we discovered that she had pyometra, a severe uterine infection that required emergency surgery. If we hadn’t intervened, Linda would have died within days.

Miraculously, Linda recovered from the surgery with incredible speed, and within just two days, she was already jumping around with joy. To celebrate her recovery, we took her on a trip to downtown Valencia, where we shared a hamburger that was larger than she was! It was a heartwarming sight that left a lasting impression.

Today, Linda lives in Casa Grande with Maribel, one of our caregivers. Though she is small and frail, surrounded by much larger dogs, she leads a wonderful life. Now blind and deaf, Linda still manages to enjoy an exceptional quality of life, a testament to the love and care she receives from Maribel, who looks after her as if she were a young child. The two are inseparable, and it’s clear that Linda is a truly incredible dog.

People often ask me why we do what we do, especially when it comes to rescuing and caring for elderly dogs like Linda. Some might argue that it’s not worth the effort, pointing to other rescue groups with hundreds of dogs living in remote mountain locations as more effective models. However, our approach is different. We focus on rescuing dogs in extreme situations and those that no one else will rescue, particularly the elderly.

Who would have rescued Linda, or adopted her, knowing the significant needs she has? The truth is, not many people want dogs like her. They prefer small, cute, and beautiful dogs, but they shy away from the responsibility and commitment that come with caring for a dog like Linda. That’s where we come in, dedicating ourselves to these animals, giving them a chance at a better life.

As we continue our mission to save and care for dogs like Linda, we ask for your support. This week, we will be performing more surgeries and need your help. Please consider donating, subscribing, and making recurring donations, because without you, none of this would be possible. Thank you for your support and for helping us make a difference in the lives of these incredible animals.

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