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Abigail loves animals; she has had a heart for them for as long as she can remember. She used to cry if she saw a baby bird that had fallen out of the nest only to hear her mother tell her not to touch it, or she’d get lice.  She remembered, at six years of age, bringing home a baby bunny that was in her yard, apparently left behind after some kind of mowing incident. She hid the baby under her bed in a shoebox for weeks, feeding milk from an eye dropper that she took from the medicine cabinet. She even started taking lettuce leaves out of the refrigerator and pulling them in pieces so small, the baby bunny could eat them.  Eventually, her mother found out and made her turn the bunny loose.  She cried for weeks, not knowing if the bunny made it or not.

At age ten, she found a stray kitten when they were camping and begged to bring it home. Her mom and dad would not hear of it.  How could they be so heartless, she wondered. Again, she cried for weeks thinking about that kitten, hoping someone with more reasonable parents let them bring the kitten home. She even named it: Spackles, because it had all kinds of flecks of color in its coat.  She would make up stories in her head at night, pretending that Spackles had a home and was happy frolicking all around the house.  It was the only thing that comforted her.

There were many stories such as these throughout her childhood. She was only allowed to have an indoor cat once; they had received for free from an ad in the paper. Abigail remembers, with horror, the first time the kitten used the litter box: there were long worms in the box after the kitten went to the bathroom.  The next day, the kitten was gone; her mom told her she gave it to someone who knew how to take care of a kitten with that condition. Abigail knew it was a lie, but she never confronted her mom about it. The truth would have been too painful to find out.  Abigail often wondered if she was switched at birth. How could she have the same genetics as her parents who barely tolerated anything with fur?

Abigail volunteered in various shelters throughout her teen years and then traveled to areas that needed people for various animal projects. She has helped rescue sea turtles, volunteered in a zoo, helped migratory birds, and worked at several animal sanctuaries.  When the opportunity came to go to Mexico to help a dog rescue, she knew it was something she wanted to do with her boyfriend of 10 years. They met when she was twenty at the animal shelter.  Their mutual passion for animals gave them the ability to understand each other. They weren’t needy for each other; they just enjoyed each other’s company and loved to get away together to various rescue opportunities.  Abigail, ‘Abs’ to her boyfriend Chad, gave the information to Chad and asked if he would accompany her. Chad wasn’t excited about this opportunity, which was rare for him.  He knew this area was dangerous and had been having quite a bit of crime lately, due to some gangs. He told Abs that they should put this trip off and find another opportunity. Abigail would have none of it; she told him that the rescue organization was in big trouble; their volunteers were low, their funds were lower, and the dogs were in danger of starving if they didn’t get help. Ricardo, the shelter founder had no place to take the dogs. He had done so much research but had no options. He would face the awful decision of euthanizing the dogs if he couldn’t get funding and volunteers.  Reluctantly, Chad agreed, and they made the plans for the trip. They set it for 5 months out so they could start a Go Fund me page and bring both cash and a cashiers check with them. Abigail was on a mission to get this shelter back on its feet!

“Abs, you need to take care of yourself, you’ve been volunteering tirelessly at the shelter and trying to market your Go Fund me page in addition to working full time.” Abigail knew she was working herself too hard. Her health was at risk of crashing if she didn’t get rest; she was diagnosed with Lupus in her early twenties. This auto-immune disease could flare up at any time, but most likely if she didn’t rest, exercise moderately, and eat healthy.  Her attacks could be anything from extreme fatigue, rashes, headaches with confusion, or a fever. All cases are different, but this is what would happen to her if she didn’t keep in balance.  She didn’t want to compromise their trip to Mexico, but she couldn’t stop trying for those dogs in need.  Abigail posted her Go Fund me page a month ago and was already at $2,000.00, but she had a long way to go if she was going to raise the $10,000.00, she wanted.  Chad thought she was crazy, there was no way she would attain that goal, but she was determined and when she set her sight on something, watch out.  Abigail sent emails and texts to friends and family, she posted on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and every other alphabet soup of social media she could think of. She made fliers, she even talked one of her media contacts in to scoring her a 2-minute time slot on a local radio station. After that, the local news picked up her story and her Go Fund me page soared.  One would think she would sit back and let it roll in, but she couldn’t stop.

Four months later, and one month before their trip, Abigail made one last attempt at the same radio station to air her story.  She poured her heart out with Ricardo’s story. This man had given everything to help stray dogs. He began ten years earlier by taking in dogs that were abandoned. When they outgrew his back yard, he used his own funds to build a bigger space. He had once realized a six-figure income but poured most of it into his shelter. He now took in more than 200 dogs annually, with over 75 on his property, currently. He quit his six-figure income to devote his time to his shelter.  He built pods for the dogs and allows them to choose indoor or outdoor, but fully contained. He has the dogs separated by ones that get along, and others that need to be alone or with only one other dog.  He incorporated self-watering systems to always ensure fresh water.  He relies on grants and donations, which was great for the first eight years, but has waned lately with the failing economy inside, and outside, of Mexico.  People in the states were helping, but he ran out of volunteers to keep up his website, and has no money to advertise, so his donations stopped coming in at the rate they once were.  Abigail pleaded for people to spread the word and open their pocketbooks for these dogs.  She also used it as an educational session to inform people that these dogs could be adopted in the U.S., but it took time, money, vaccinations, determination, and love.

Two weeks before they were to leave, Abigail received the check from the Go Fund me account.  She couldn’t believe that she would be bringing him a check for over $14,000.00.  This was off the charts and was sure to get Ricardo back on his feet with the shelter. Abigail had also received several inquiries on how to adopt the dogs, how to volunteer, and what other supplies could be sent directly to Ricardo.  She was overjoyed at the outpouring of support.  Chad had to admit that her campaign was a success, he was surprised, proud, and a bit worried about her energy level.  Abigail promised to use the last week before their trip to rest and recoup.

Abigail packed old jeans and long-sleeved t-shirts for the trip. She knew from other shelter trips that it was a must to keep your arms and legs covered. Sometimes the dogs were overly enthusiastic and could jump up, scratching your skin.  Abigail also wanted to bring a large sum of cash; $800, for Ricardo to pay locals to help repair areas of the shelter. Many of the locals didn’t utilize the banks and only wanted cash.  Since Abigail knew it would be dangerous to have a large sum of money in view, she incorporated the help of her seamstress friend, Joni.  She purchased some gauze material for a matching shirt and pants.  She also had Joni purchase two elastic pieces, for the waist, that were three and ½ inches tall: just taller than the 2.61 inches of a dollar bill.  When Joni was finished with the matching set, she left the last seam of the waist open. The plan for Abigail to attach the money in between two pieces of elastic and close the seam.  This would allow her to walk around with the money on her, but not visible in the event their shuttle was stopped and searched, or worse yet; robbed.  She knew she needed to keep some of the money on her so as not to look suspicious, so she kept $150.00 in her wallet.

With the luggage packed with clothes and dog toys and the gauze outfit in her carry-on, she was ready to go. Chad wasn’t in love with her plan, but he knew he couldn’t talk her out of it. The plan was to wear jeans and a t-shirt to through the airports and bring the gauze outfit in her carry-on. That way, the airport body scanner, wouldn’t sound an alarm for the large amount of bills on her. Even though the airport scanners could see the money in her carry-on, it was spread out in an assortment of twenties and fifties. If they did question her, she would simply tell the truth. Once she landed in Mexico, she would change into the gauze outfit in the restroom, and they would catch the shuttle to the shelter before going to their hotel, which was a grungy little place a mile within the shelter. They would have to walk to and from each day. 

“I’m so excited, I thought this day would never get here, exclaimed Abigail to Chad”.  “Abs, I love your sense of adventure, and your love for the animals, I just wish you weren’t so willing to take risks”.  They were already through both airports and boarding their final flight to Mexico.  Several hours later, they would be deplaning and heading to their shuttle. The shuttle happened to be one Abigail was able to find that also transports all-inclusive travelers. The price was right, but it meant they would be the last stop.  All the travelers would be dropped off at their fancy resorts, ready to get their fancy food and drinks and relax for a week while Abigail and Chad would travel on into the more remote and impoverished parts of Mexico. The areas where people left dogs in the streets to fend for themselves. The parts where people left dogs chained to trees or front porches, treating them with apathy. The area where Ricardo built his shelter for the dogs everyone else forgot about.  “We’ll be fine Chad.”

Aboard the shuttle, Abigail and Chad enjoyed some local fare they grabbed before boarding. The shuttle was three quarters of the way empty, and they had already been on for an hour and a half. They estimated they still had an hour on the shuttle. Time for some shut eye before getting to the shelter.  Abigail was in one of those sleeps where you vaguely knew what was going on, but you were still sleeping.  She was remotely aware that they were the last ones on the shuttle when she was jerked awake by the braking of the bus.  “What’s going on?” Chad asked.  “Not sure, but I think we have company”, Abigail replied.  Three young men, perhaps 16, jumped on the shuttle. They were carrying rifles, apparently not abnormal in this part of Mexico.  They chose the seats directly behind Abigail and Chad and yelled out in Spanish for the drive to get going.  They inquired where Abigail and Chad were going.  Abigail was fluent in Spanish and told them their plans. The three laughed and began chattering about dogs and how Americans were silly enough to spend their money on a four-legged creature.  The three men asked what Abigail and Chad were carrying.  At this point Abigail was sweating, her gauze outfit was sticking to her, and her fajitas were rumbling around in her stomach.  She told them she had snacks for them, treats for the dogs and some cash if that is what they were after. The three seemed indignant and began sneering at her asking if she thought they were gangsters and assuming the worst about them. They went on to tell her she was a typical American, thinking the worst of those that aren’t like her. Chad, not being quite as fluent in Spanish, tried to apologize to them and tell them it was a misunderstanding.  The three calmed down and even laughed a little.  Abigail apologized, offered to share her snacks from the states, and was sincerely embarrassed by her actions.  The young men told her they were on their way to hunt on their uncle’s farm and needed a lift because they had been walking for 5 miles. Their Dad had been ill and unable to work to put food on the table.  Abigail apologized again and offered to pay for them to get a ‘Micro’ on their way home.  They declined at first but decided to take it on Abigail’s insistence.  When they departed the shuttle, Abigail also insisted they take some of her snacks for the rest of the hike. She even insisted they take $40.00 to ensure they get meals for their family. They left with gratitude, and Abigail let out a sigh of relief from what could have been a disaster. She was thankful these young men were honest, sad they were in need, and ashamed she assumed the worst in them.

The rest of the ride was uneventful, and they arrived at the shelter early afternoon. Ricardo greeted them with enthusiastic hugs and tears once Abigail and Chad presented him with the Go Fund me check. Once Abigail gave him the cash, he lost it. He sat down, cried and wondered how he could ever thank her.  “Just let us help around the shelter for the rest of the week, that is all we want, and promise to keep in touch with us when we leave.”  “Yes, yes, amigo, I am forever grateful to you” declared Ricardo.

The time at the shelter was rewarding, chaotic, fun, energizing yet tiring, and sad to see all the dogs that were tossed away like garbage. Ricardo had told them that he only scratched the surface; there were so many other dogs that needed help.  Abigail told him the Starfish story and assured him that he was making a difference.  Ricardo had taught them about all the dogs and let them help with anything they could.  One dog stole Abigail and Chad’s heart: Lucinda.  Lucinda was a black and brown mix about the size of a boxer. Lucinda had been abused and kicked when she was a puppy and left to fend for herself in the streets. Her mouth was a little crooked, from the damage of her beatings and the lack of proper care for her to heal correctly.  She had the look as if she were sneering or snickering but her whole body shook when she saw the two of them. She was nervous to get close to them at first, but once she realized they were trustworthy, she was all play and wiggles when she saw them.  Ricardo commented that she hadn’t responded to anyone else quite the way she had for Abigail and Chad. They knew they had to have her.  They were getting married in a few months, and each of them had chosen to hold off on getting animals of their own so they could devote time with rescue trips.  This was a perfect chance for them to start their posse of animals.

Abigail began making plans to take Lucinda home.  Dogs can be flown into the states, but they need to have proof of vaccinations and must be transported in the cargo section if they aren’t small enough to fit under the seat.  There are transportation companies that drive animals across the states, or they can be driven across the border in a rental car, with the proper paperwork. Abigail and Chad chose to rent a car and drive into the States with Lucinda. They knew they could find pet friendly hotels and felt it would be better for Lucinda than putting her on a plane.

That trip was 8 months earlier and Abigail and Chad sat in their new condo together, enjoying Lucinda’s company. She settled in extremely well, and even welcomed their newest addition: Chelsea, a black and white rescue cat from the shelter. The two of them sleep close to each other and play occasionally; on Chelsea’s terms, of course.  Ricardo keeps Abigail and Chad up to date on the shelter. All the repairs have been done, the volunteers have increased, and the shipments of food and toys has been so good that Ricardo had to ensure he keeps track of expiration dates on the food. That is something he never had to worry about before because he never had an overabundance.  Ricardo was even contemplating using donations to build a couple of tiny homes for the volunteers to utilize.  He has a website developer now; a volunteer that contacted him after Abigail’s last radio broadcast and plea for help.  The volunteer works on his website 5 hours a month, keeping the adoptable dogs current, the donations tab up to date, and ensuring security is not an issue.

“Abs, have I ever told you how proud I am of you?  You took the initiative and the risk to help Ricardo out.  To think that I tried to talk you out of it”.  “Thanks, Chad. You have always been my biggest fan.”  “I don’t think I’m your biggest fan anymore. I think Ricardo or Lucinda might fight me for that spot.”  At the mention of her name, Lucinda jumped up from her dog bed looked at Abigail with her crooked smile and wiggled her body all the way to the couch where Abigail sat.  “Thanks Lucinda, I love you too.”