Hoping for Homes

Hoping for Homes - Dogs currently available for adoption.
(click on the images to see their albums on facebook)

Freud: in a Victoria foster & looking for a loving home

Local artist and businesswoman, Pat Gawle, referred a dog to MexPup. A fellow artist of Pat’s from El Tuito rescued a badly injured dog in early January. Froylan is a Mexican potter who lives and works in El Tuito. He came across the young male dog on the street badly injured from what was evidently a stoning or beating. Froylan said he has seen many injured dogs in his life, but none like this. He could not leave the pup on the street. Froylan brought the dog back to his live-in studio and took care of him, but he needed help with food and supply expenses and he certainly could not afford veterinary care. Through Pat, MexPup became involved and in mid-January Brian and Mona drove out on a rescue mission to El Tuito. When they first saw the dog, which they have named Freud, most of the wounds had healed but left numerous scars all over the dog’s body. Freud also had a severely injured back leg that he dragged along when he walked. On initial assessment by the vets in PV, it was determined that Freud has a severely dislocated back right hip. The injury appears to have happened some time ago as his leg has stiffened from misuse making it difficult for him to lay down and get up. To complicate matters, Freud’s bloodwork indicated that he had Anaplasma, a tick borne-disease that left him anemic and with a low platelet count. He would not be a candidate for surgery until his bloodwork improved. Freud is currently being fostered in PV at Brian and Mona’s and he is doing excellent. He is on antibiotics for the Anaplasma, his wounds have healed, and the scarring will not be as bad as initially thought. Moreover, we are optimistic about his leg and he is now booked for surgery on February 11. Pat and another artist, Kathryn (ColorPod), paid for all of Freud’s initial vet visits and we thank them for that, but Freud’s surgery will cost $4,000 pesos (about $330 CAN). Please make a donation for Freud’s care so we can ensure that this wonderful dog has a healthy and happy future.

Sonny: in a Victoria foster & looking for a loving family

When Steph and Mona arrived in El Tuito to volunteer at the PEACE spay/neuter clinic, they meet two street dogs that had been kept overnight after being sterilized. They were such wonderful dogs, the previous day’s volunteers thought they would try to adopt them out through their own FB pages or blogs. They were both adorable, but Mona fell in love with one young male who was about 8 months old. They said he had shown up in the town about a month before and had been hanging around the plaza. He, like so many others we have known, did not want to be a street dog and did his best to try to find a human who would take him in. Some locals fed and watched over him carefully and as they were volunteering at the clinic, they brought him to be neutered. Mona felt a connection to the pup and set about trying to find a foster home for him. The next day she returned to volunteer at the clinic again and she also brought two empty crates. A plan was in place and she was bringing back two pups, Sonny who she had meet upon arrival the previous morning and Cher who she had meet at the end of the day. Sonny is now about 9-10 month old and he weighs 16 kilos. He is a happy guy that has done really well in his foster home. He gets along well with dogs and has been fine the cat in his foster home. Sonny never wanted to be a street dog. He wanted a family and he wanted a home. We think that Sonny deserves everything that he wants and we can’t wait to find him a place to call his very own.

Fionn (aka Toby): in a Victoria foster & hoping for a home

Angeles knows most of her neighbors. One day she saw a man named Peanut, the local neighborhood drunk, walking around with a small pup about 4-5 weeks old. The pup was very skinny with a large belly (parasite belly) and was covered in ticks. Angeles asked him about the pup and Peanut explained that the dog was his. He was going to care for it and then breed it. She told him she thought he would have a hard time doing what he wanted as the puppy would need lots of care and he replied that he would take great care of him. She explained there would be costs associated with taking him to the vet and went on to tell him that she was part of a group of volunteers that helped street dogs by getting them healthy and finding them great homes. She continued to educate him about dogs and eventually, he admitted that he didn’t really have a home, nor money to pay for food, and he agreed that she should take the pup. The next stop for Toby was the vets and boy did he need it. This sweet guy got a bath (no more ticks or fleas), got tested for the scary illnesses (no moquillo or parvo – yea!), and had blood work done (positive for ehrlichia and very anemic). He went home with Angeles to a life where food, shelter, care and love would always be available. Toby is now about 6-7 months old, weighs 19 kilos, and is ready to find his forever family. He is a loving, active and playful pup. This guy has energy to burn and would do great with an active family (left to his own devices/boredom, chewing is a favorite pastime). Toby does well on a leash and is house trained (like with any puppy, he might have some accidents after the transition to a new home). He was fostered with dogs (he loves to play with them) and cats (he likes to chase them as he wants to play….they aren’t so interested in playing with him). We know that Toby will be a great addition to one fun, active, loving family…will it be yours?

Mattie: in care with a PV vet & hoping for a foster home

Sometimes they're just sitting there waiting for you to show up. Yesterday Todd suggested to Patty that they drive to the mechanics in the morning with the dogs, drop off the car and walk home. Life it seems is never that simple. Mattie was across the street from the mechanic's shop digging through the trash pile on the corner. Strange to see a dog that has been partially groomed. The part that hadn't been, well it had clearly months and she was a mess. What we can't figure out is why does someone do half a job and leave the animal in pain (there is no question that the matted hair pulls on the skin and causes great discomfort and injury). Mattie wasn't hard to catch as she can't walk very well (due to the matting) and she seemed happy to be in someone's arms. The car wasn't left at the mechanics as they needed to get her to a vet asap......one walking dogs, one running to the vets, it wasn't the plan for the day but that isn't unusual. Mattie is about 4-5 years old and weighs 5.6 kilos. Her front teeth are worn down but her back teeth are in decent shape. She tested negative for the really scary illnesses and will stay at the vets until cleared to go to a foster home. We are always in the need of foster homes whether for Mattie or other dogs. Please let us know if you can help (these foster homes are need in Puerto Vallarta, but we are always looking for new fosters in BC also).

Nicholas: in a PV foster, has special needs & hoping for a home

On Christmas day Laura and Licerine were visiting the cemetery in San Juan. They noticed a dog wondering between the graves searching for food. He was in such a bad condition, extremely skinny and physically emotionally exhausted. They attempted to approach him but he got scared and ran away. When they left the cemetery, he was there outside and again they tried to approach him. They showed him we were with other dogs and he did not need to be afraid. He decided to trust them and they were able to put a leash around him. He did not want to walk as he had no energy so he let them carry him the 15 minute walk home. He curled up in a little ball in Licerine's arms and started to relax. He was rescued just in time, another day or so and this would have been a different story. We were thinking of what to call him and it seemed appropriate to call him Nicholas as it was Christmas day. Nicholas is a very sweet boy. This approximately 2 year old pup weighed 10 kilos when rescued. He is nervous but slowly starting to trust. He has obviously lived in a house before as he asks to go outside to the toilet and walks well on the leash. In the morning he likes to stretch his long legs and makes these very cute noises. He is going to be a very handsome boy when he is healthy and will be a very loyal and loving pet.

Sasha: in a Victoria foster & looking for a loving family

There was a dog that had a family, but every day she was on the streets. Alicia saw some people yelling at her and kicking at her. She spoke to her husband and he agreed that although she had an owner, she didn’t really have a home or a family. They decided to speak to the owner and his reply was telling…..he admitted it was his dog, but took no responsibility for her care and made it clear that wouldn’t change. Alicia’s first thought…how can people be so cruel? She couldn’t stop thinking about the pup or the sadness she saw in her eyes. She came up with a plan and returned to the owner’s home asking them to give the dog to her. Alicia told the daughter & mother that she understood they couldn’t care for the pup, and that she would take good care of her. They agreed to let her go and that is how Sasha was rescued. It took Alicia about 5 hours to clean her and groom her…she was that bad off. Within a few days the real Sasha emerged with a glint in her eye and it was easy to see that she knew her life was changed forever. Sasha is about 3 years old and weighs about 9 kilos. She loves to go for walks, plays well with other dogs and enjoys being with people. Sasha can be a bit uncertain in new situations, but does very well once she gains a bit of confidence. She has done well with the cats in her foster home and loves to sleep on the couch. This sweet girl can be a bit possessive if she finds something on the floor, but she is learning to let go when told. Sasha needs a home that will care for her, love her and make her a part of the family…..if that sounds like you, it might be time to send in your application!

Sir Laurence: in a Victoria foster & looking for a loving home

Colette spotted a poor pup hanging around the meat store across the street from the free spay/neuter clinic that she runs every Sunday in downtown PV (YAY Colette!). The store owners kept shooing him away, and as they did, she realized he had no street savy whatsoever. He narrowly missed getting hit by cars several times. She was able to lure him with food and get him safe. Although he was far too thin, he seemed to be in ok shape otherwise, with only the beginning tell-tale signs of life on the streets which made her wondered if he was lost, escaped or something. She put posters everywhere, from Zona Romantica to up past the Libriamento thinking he must have someone looking for him, but no one responded. About a month later when Colette was walking Sir Laurence, a local man said he knew the dog, that he used to belong to his neighbors and when she got excited at the possibility of a reunion, he laughed at her and said “No, they threw him out on the street because he got too big for the house, and they don’t want him”. Since then she focused on fattening him up, getting him healthy and has enjoyed seeing him integrate beautifully into her pack (he plays so nicely with them). Sir Laurence is about 11 months old and weighs about 21 kilos. He has a beautiful temperament, is sweet, playful and is just a big galump. He seems to attach to people very quickly and can have slight separation anxiety. He is still a puppy, so needs reminders of good behavior so he can grow into a great adult dog. Sir Laurence has a wonderful disposition and is a confident, loving and playful boy. He loves other dogs, and would love to be in a home with a playmate if possible, big or small, he loves them all, he is just a lovely boy!

Carlos: in a PV foster & hoping for a loving family

Their plan for the day was to have breakfast at Coco's Kitchen and then take Aimee to the doctor....Change of plans #1 - they ran into Todd at Andale's, so they sat & joined him…..Change of plans #2 - after breakfast they looked across the road & saw a mangy dog wandering through traffic. What could they do? Out goes the doctor visit, next they grabbed some sausage & off they went on a doggy hunt. A couple blocks later and after a few minutes earning a little bit of trust, she got a leash around his neck. Off to the vet they went & he's now in a wonderful foster home in Bucerias. Meet Carlos! Anyone looking for a beautiful young pup to join their family? Carlos is being treated for ehrlichra & mange. He then will be vaccinated, neutered and available for adoption. This approximately 8 to 12 month old staf/pit cross (with a bit more mixed in for good measure) weights 22 kilos. Even though he has been on the streets, Carlos is very sweet/gentle and has a playful demeanor. He has done well around other dogs, and is very young & trainable (Steve had him sitting for treats in minutes!). We are excited that Carlos is now safe and will soon be ready for a home to call his very own. Please help us to find him a great family that will open their hearts to this lovely pup.

Chocolata: in a PV foster & hoping for a family of her own

Chocolate was a street dog that befriended some security guys in a Vallarta neighborhood. They had been feeding her, giving her water, and she had started to follow them during security rounds. On September 1st, she was hit by a car. This poor girl sustained injuries to both her back legs (fracture of one femoral head and in both paws). The security guys didn’t have the ability to provide care for Chocolata, but wanted the best for her. Monica lives in the neighborhood, found out what happened, and started to look for help. The group “Friends of Puerto Vallarta Animals” that works with the PV acopio (which is now a no-kill facility because of the work that they do – YEA!!!) agreed to help. They started to raise money and supported Monica in fostering her. At the same time, a number of other critical animals came into the acopio and they also ran into some operational challenges. They were in a tough spot and needed all the help they could find. MexPup heard about the challenges they were facing and decided we (the MexPup community) could help. By taking on the most expensive pup they had in care, it would allow all the money being donated to go towards the other 70+ animals they had in care and the operational challenges they had (loss of the government provided cleaning person). That is how Chocolata became a MexPup. This lovely pup is approximately 1 year old. She is a very friendly girl that does well with other dogs (there are 3 foster puppies in her foster home). We have been given a good prognosis for her recovery by the orthopedic vet and so are very hopeful for her future. The reality is that we need your help. Her surgery & recovery will be costly, but we believe that Chocolata deserves a second chance for a wonderful life with a loving family and a home. Please consider making a donation to MexPup to help us cover all the cost for Chocolata’s care. We need your help to continue to make a difference for those that need our help.

Osito Polar: in a Victoria foster & looking for a loving family

There is a wonderful organization called PEACE Animals that runs the free spay & neuter clinics throughout Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding communities. During one clinic a couple arrived asking to euthanize one pup. The paws of this puppy were deformed and the owners had come to the decision that he should be put down. The staff at the clinic didn’t want to comply with the request and asked the owners if they would surrender the dog. The couple agreed and so began the process of helping Osito Polar. Angeles returned to the clinic to pick up another rescue dog that had been neutered that day when she was asked if she could help. She agreed to foster the dog and MexPup took on the responsibility for the medical care and finding this special needs pup a good home. Osito was only 2.5 kilos when he was rescued (late March 2013). He got his name from his unique paws and the way he walked (sort of like a polar bear on ice). He was very weak, very anemic and suffering from ehrlichia. His physical deformities indicated that he might have additional challenges causing his recovery to take longer than what we normally experience. The good news is that with time and care he did begin to heal and became a happy, playful, devilish puppy who didn't realize that he ran or walked different than any other. We are still not certain what medical challenges he could face in the future but that doesn't diminish our commitment to him. Osito was fostered with Canito (now Bello) and they were simply a pair of playful pups who loved exploring, playing and doing was puppies do best…..looking adorable. Now that Canito has found his new home, we very much want Osito to get the same opportunity. He is approximately 7-8 months old and weighs about 10 kilos. This sweet boy has been in a foster home with dogs and cats. He loves to play with dogs and gets along well with all of them, but he can pester the cats. Osito needs a home with lots of love and attention as we expect that his deformed paws might indicate other challenges in his future. He is still a puppy and needs help with training (bored puppies can tend to chew and this guy is no exception), but we know that with a solid home he will become a great family member. We are so thankful that the PEACE Animals vet saved him. Now we need a family that will continue to provide for this lovable, sweet boy.
UPDATE - Oso has been seen by a vet in Canada and we have confirmation that he has club foot. He is mobile and happy and the vet is confident that he can have a great quality of life.

Domino: application received, please check back

What would you do if you were on vacation and found a dog in need? What Sophie and Rodrigo did was to take action and make a difference. They found a dog that was starving, lost and needed help. They picked him up, got him to a vet and made a commitment to help him. The place they were staying didn’t take animals, so they boarded him at the vet clinic where he could receive the care he needed. They contacted MexPup and asked for guidance. When it came time to return to Mexico City from their holiday, they took Domino with them. They decided they would foster him until he was healthy, vaccinated, neutered and ready to be adopted. When that day came, they brought Domino back to Puerto Vallarta where he will remain in care until he can travel to BC and find his forever family. This approximately 3 year old pup now weighs a healthy 19 kilos. Domino loves meeting new people and loves playing with other dogs. He enjoys walking, but still needs to learn some leash manners. This friendly guy is very social, but we do not believe he will do well with cats (his one encounter gave him the opportunity to demonstrate his jumping ability….grade “A”). Domino deserves a loving home where he can be part of the family. Please share his photos and help us to find him a wonderful new life.

Rosa application received, please check back

Maureen was in front of her home when she saw some large dogs chasing a small dog. She realized that the pup needed help, so she scooped him up and asked all the neighbors if they knew him or his owner. They told that he had been living under cars in the area for the previous two or three weeks along with his friend another small pup. So the search began and Maureen found the little female who was under a car around the corner. That is how Pedro and Rosa were rescued and ended up in the care of Maureen and John. These two adorable characters are terrier mixes that are about 2 years old. Rosa is the lighter one and she weighs about 3.8 kilos. These pups love to play and they love to be around humans. They do exhibit a bit of separation anxiety but after their time on the streets, that isn’t too surprising as it is quite stressful to survive on the streets especially for dogs that are so small (the anxiety has diminished as their time in foster care increases). These two do everything as a pair, so we would love to adopt them out together if possible, but will also consider individual applications. They have done well with the other dogs in their foster home and are quite an entertaining pair. If you are looking for a small pup and would like to add one or possibly two new family members, these might be the perfect pups for you. They are healthy, happy and ready to fly…..we sure hope to have a family waiting for them upon arrival.

Marina: application received, please check back

Sandra and her husband were on holiday in Puerto Vallarta when they saw a dog in need. They heard that she had been dumped by her family a few weeks before. They heard she had a litter of puppies. They heard……. The important part of the story isn’t what they heard, it is what they did. They decided they needed to help this dog and so they took action. They were only going to be in town for 2 more days, so the race was on. They contacted MexPup and asked for help. Sadly, we had no foster homes and no funds for medical expenses as one of our dogs in BC had a medical emergency and took a huge chunk from the bank account. As much as we want to help every dog, we also need to be responsible to those we have in care. The reply from Sandra…..if they covered the medical bills and also covered the cost of boarding until a foster became available, could we help? There was no question that they were committed to this dog and their generosity made it possible for us to help. Marina is about 3 years old and weighs about 20 kilos. When she first came into care, we quickly realized that her life had been extremely difficult. She cowered, she pancaked if humans approached her too quickly, she hid in the corner often, she screamed when we tried to put a collar on her….it was heart breaking. We don’t know how she suffered at the hands of humans, but we have no doubt that she did. The amazing thing was that she was never aggressive. Marina would run, she would hide and she would scream, but she never bit or made an aggressive move to defend herself. The first week was so sad, as we just wanted her to trust us and she just wanted us to leave her alone. She remained in care at Mascotas with Dr. Pena and then the transformation began. Marina started to approach us when we went to visit her. She was still timid, she was still shy, she was still nervous, but she was hopeful. She loves being loved and she learned that all the humans in this new place only gave her love. After a few weeks, we determined that Marina was ready for a foster home and thankfully Nina & her pack agreed to help. She is now in a home continuing to learn about love, care and trust and boy has she embraced this new way of living. She loves getting love, is house trained, and is doing well with the other 2 dogs in her foster home. Marina is healthy and ready to find a new family that will help her to learn that love will be part of her life forever. If you’re in the animal rescue community, you know about how wonderful a dog who has been abused can respond to a loving home. Marina’s bad days are all behind her and now she just wants to become one lucky family’s happily ever after.

Benito (aka Sebastian): Adopted! April 12, 2014

It is raining and a dog is sitting in a puddle. People come and people go but the pup remains in the same spot. Regular people see the dog but they don’t give him an extra thought. Compassionate people see the dog and want to know what is wrong….why would he sit in a puddle, it simply isn’t normal. They take a closer look, can see the dog is injured and when asking around find out he has been there for some time yet no one tried to help him. Thankfully Laura and Edwin are kind people who do what they can to make a difference. With the open wound on his leg and the exposed bone, there knew there was no time to waste. Phone calls were made, a late night vet location was found, and Sebastian was rescued. This approximately 1.5 year old pup weighs 23 kilos. Even though he was in extreme pain, Sebastian was gentle throughout his rescue process. He knew that they were trying to help him and he gratefully received the help. The amazing news is that although his wound is horrible and the damage to the skin and soft tissue is extensive, he didn’t suffer any fractures. He is getting daily wound care, is on strong antibiotics to stop the infection, and the prognosis for his leg is now quite good. Sebastian tested negative to the very scariest of illnesses, started treatments for the issues he does face, and has made daily improvement since going into care. This pup faced too much alone. He is now part of the MexPup family and we will make sure that never happens again. He deserves a home that will care for him. A home where he will be part of the family. Thank you for helping us to rescue him. Thank you for helping us to care for him. When the times comes, we will ask for your help to find him a wonderful home.

Update: While out walking Sebastian and his foster family ran into his old family. They let them know that his name is Benito and then continued on their way......we're glad they didn't want him back (they don't deserve him!).

Canela: Adopted! March 30, 2014

Ruth works on a sea turtle conservation project on an isolated beach in Tomatlán. One of the local fishermen had taken a dog to breed with the female there and took all the male puppies leaving the 4 female pups on the beach, alone, fighting for survival. By the time Ruth arrived with some volunteers at the beginning of nesting season, the pups were already about 6 months old. It took a few days to be able to get hold of 3 of them, but they simply couldn't capture Canela. Ruth returned a couple of weeks later and spent one week there, during which time she worked to gain her confidence. She left food out for Canela and gradually was able to get closer and closer to her, until one day she finally got her. Ruth was able to find homes for the other puppies, but Canela needed more time to recover as she had quite a nasty case of mange and was pretty thin. Once she was healthy, Ruth contacted MexPup to see if we could help get her adopted. Ruth had done all the heavy lifting and so we were glad to be able to offer assistance with finding her forever home. Canela is about 1 year old and weighs about 23 kilos. She is very loving but is also timid. She does well with dogs that are smaller and needs time to properly meet & gain confidence with larger dogs. Once she is friends with a dog, she does great playing and interacting with them. Canela is an active girl that like to go on walks and definitely needs her daily excursions. She had a tough start to life and is a bit cautious & protective around fishermen, but we think she will settle in well to her new country, her new surroundings and her new normal – where she is safe, cared for and loved. Please help us by sharing her story & album so that her new family can find her.

Jasper (formerly Timido): Adopted! March 29, 2014

There is that moment when you have to decide……will you help? When Claudia & Enya were in their car early one day, they saw a pup on a very busy street who was almost hit by a bus, but it appeared as if he was following someone. When later that same day, they saw the same pup almost get hit by a truck there was no question they needed take action. Enya jumped out of the car, rescued the pup and off they went to their home. He was staving and dehydrated…..enjoying all the water & food that was provided. He was so shy when first taken into care that he was named Timido (“timid” in Spanish). This little guy was about 4 months old and weighed 5 kilos. Timido is a very happy pup that knows he was rescued and is very grateful. He is a carefree pup, but he is also very appreciative of the love, care, attention that he receives. After he chewed his bed, his foster family decided it was done. It was trash day, so they took the bed to the trash pile on their street. They were surprised to see Timido run out to the pile and drag his bed back home. This little guy didn’t worry that his bed was destroyed, he was just happy to have his own bed in his own foster home. Timido is still a puppy, so he will need guidance and training to help him be a wonderful adult dog. Please help us to find him a wonderful home.

Vincy (formerly Ponchito): Adopted! March 29, 2014

A recently born pup was found in the trash. Thankfully, someone came along, rescued the puppy, got him healthy and found him a home. Sadly, after a short time he was dropped at the acopio (local pound). Thanks to a wonderful group of volunteers (“Friends of Puerto Vallarta Animals”), the acopio isn’t the horrible place that it used to be. After a few months someone came to the acopio looking for a little puppy, so he found another home. Fast forward a few months and this little guy was again dropped off at the acopio. This time when he arrived, he was very ill. He had been severely neglected and arrived missing lots of hair, with many sores on his skin, a belly distended to double its normal size, in pain and suffering from lack of care, lack of food, and lack of medical attention. Thankfully, “Friends of PV Animals” was there to help. They made sure that he got the medical attention that he needed. Paola took him to her home so that he would get a chance to heal and to have a positive experience living in a home (Yay Paola!). This approximately 1 year old pup has spent most of his life in the acopio. Ponchito weighs about 4 kilos, so he is just a tiny little guy. He is a playful pup that loves to be with his people. Ponchito can be nervous around new men, but with time he learns to trust. This sweet pup loves to run and has good recall (once his has a bond with his person). He is always looking for love and scratches, and isn’t ashamed to put himself in just the right position to make it easy for you. Ponchito is a very smart pup and he has been very responsive in his foster home. Here’s the thing, Ponchito has been let down by too many people in his short life. Fortunately he’s also met some wonderful people who have become dedicated to making sure his next home is his forever home. If you’re ready, so is he.

Auggie (formerly Georgie): Adopted! March 22, 2014

Todd & Patty often stop at Roberto’s for coffee on their morning walks. Everyone there knew they rescued dogs as they would see the various fosters come and go from their pack. They often spoke to one of the waiters about his dog, the challenges of abandoned dogs and the importance of spay/neuter. One day he explained to them that his dog was in heat, had escaped the house and they now had 5 puppies that needed help…..after a few deep breaths and curbing the desire to scream “why didn’t you get it done like you said you would”!…..they asked what his plan was. He knew they couldn’t keep sthe pups as there was no money or space, but he hoped they would have good homes. After some planning, it was decided that he would keep them until they were 2 months old and then they would become MexPups with Todd & Patty fostering them as long as the mom was spayed after the puppies were weaned. The family was very happy with the proposal and that is how Lucy, Ethel, Georgie, Gracie and Izzy became MexPups. They were born the first week of November, 2013. Their mom was a terrier mix that weighed 8 kilos (think Tramp from Lady & the Tramp), their grandmother was a wiener dog, and we have no idea who the dad(s) were.
Georgie was the only male in this litter of 5 pups. At 3.5 months old he weighed 4.5 kilos. Georgie is part Chewbacca and part Ewok – there also might be a bit of terrier in there. This pup LOVES to play and play and play. Georgie is extremely social with other dogs and humans. When he goes on beach days, he makes his way from group to group as he is certain that everyone wants to meet him (and thus far he seems to be right). Georgie also wants to be the alpha of the puppies, so he needs a family that will keep him in line or this guy could turn into a bit of a bully – no pushovers need apply. He is submissive with the adult dogs in his foster home, so we know that with structure and guidance he will grow into a well-balanced adult dog. He is ready for his family….are you ready for him?

Lexi (formerly Noelle): Adopted! March 15, 2014

Brian and Mona were enjoying a quiet dinner on Christmas Eve with friends Andres and Michelle, and Lawrence and Marjorie when there was a knock at the door. Brian answered it to find their neighbor, Ricardo, standing there holding a small puppy in his arms. Ricardo told Brian that he and a friend were heading out to a Christmas Eve event when they saw a tiny puppy running along the street. It was already dark out and the puppy appeared to be on its own. Ricardo knew he had to help, so he pulled over and went to investigate. The puppy was happy to see him and quickly came to him. Ricardo looked around for anyone who might be with this very young pup, but there was no one in sight. Despite the urging of his friend to leave the puppy there, Ricardo decided he had to do something. He knew that Brian and Mona were involved in animal rescue so thought he had nothing to lose in asking for help – even if it was Christmas Eve. When Ricardo asked Brian if they could possibly help, Brian invited him in saying “we have a house of dog lovers here; we’ll figure something out”. The little puppy stole all our hearts on first glance and it didn’t take long for us to tell Ricardo to leave her with us and we’d take care of her. We decided to call her Noelle because she came to us on Christmas Eve. First order of business, however, was to make sure that no one was looking for her, or that her mother wasn’t out there searching for her, or worse that she had siblings alone out there too. Leaving Noelle in the loving arms of Michelle - Brian, Mona and Andres went out with flashlights to search the neighborhood. Brian and Mona were pretty sure they wouldn’t find the mother as they knew the area well and there hadn’t been any nursing street dogs wandering around. They searched the vacant lots anyway and listened for puppies crying, but nothing. Moreover, they didn’t run into any human looking for a lost puppy. The worst of conclusions came to them given how clean and relatively healthy Noelle had been when found. Was she a Christmas present gone wrong? Had she been put on the street at this young age? Had she gotten out of a house or yard? Why wasn’t anyone looking for her? Once the group was confident that Noelle had been left alone on that street in the dark, they went back to Brian and Mona’s where the puppy was sleeping soundly in Michelle’s arms. It was decided that the two couples would jointly foster Noelle. She would stay with Brian and Mona, but Michelle and Andres would keep her if the Kines’ ever went away. The group also decided to ask MexPup for help in finding Noelle a forever home. Noelle is about 8 weeks of age and weighs 3 kg (6.6 pounds). She is a beautiful little girl and was amazingly clean when found. When taken to the vet, it was found that she had internal parasites and that her blood count was low, but the vet was confident that with treatment and good nutrition she would be healthy in no time. Noelle is adapting well to her foster home, but still misses her mother. When she whines her sadness, she is quickly picked up and cuddled until she knows how much she is loved. Her foster siblings have accepted her with open arms. We are all excited to watch this pretty girl grow and thrive, and we can hardly wait until we see her happily in the arms of her forever family. That would be the best Christmas gift ever!!

Izzy: Adopted! March 13, 2014

Todd & Patty often stop at Roberto’s for coffee on their morning walks. Everyone there knew they rescued dogs as they would see the various fosters come and go from their pack. They often spoke to one of the waiters about his dog, the challenges of abandoned dogs and the importance of spay/neuter. One day he explained to them that his dog was in heat, had escaped the house and they now had 5 puppies that needed help…..after a few deep breaths and curbing the desire to scream “why didn’t you get it done like you said you would”!…..they asked what his plan was. He knew they couldn’t keep the pups as there was no money or space, but he hoped they would have good homes. After some planning, it was decided that he would keep them until they were 2 months old and then they would become MexPups with Todd & Patty fostering them as long as the mom was spayed after the puppies were weaned. The family was very happy with the proposal and that is how Lucy, Ethel, Georgie, Gracie and Izzy became MexPups. They were born the first week of November, 2013. Their mom was a terrier mix that weighed 8 kilos (think Tramp from Lady & the Tramp), their grandmother was a wiener dog, and we have no idea who the dad(s) were.
Izzy is the pup that looks most like her mom and at about 3.5 months old, she weighed 5.45 kilos. She is a spunky girl that loves to play. Izzy does well with all the other dogs in her foster home whether large or small. She loves going for walks, loves stuffies, and is becoming quite a social girl. This sweet pup does great in the car and had become one of the most adventurous of the litter….when off leash, she will explore on her own as much as you will let her. Izzy is a good listener and a very trainable dog. She is still very puppy and needs appropriate attention & supervision to keep her out of trouble. Izzy will soon be ready to find a family to call her own and we are very excited to find a family for her to join.

Daisy (formerly Ethel): Adopted! March 9, 2014

Todd & Patty often stop at Roberto’s for coffee on their morning walks. Everyone there knew they rescued dogs as they would see the various fosters come and go from their pack. They often spoke to one of the waiters about his dog, the challenges of abandoned dogs and the importance of spay/neuter. One day he explained to them that his dog was in heat, had escaped the house and they now had 5 puppies that needed help…..after a few deep breaths and curbing the desire to scream “why didn’t you get it done like you said you would”!…..they asked what his plan was. He knew they couldn’t keep the pups as there was no money or space, but he hoped they would have good homes. After some planning, it was decided that he would keep them until they were 2 months old and then they would become MexPups with Todd & Patty fostering them as long as the mom was spayed after the puppies were weaned. The family was very happy with the proposal and that is how Lucy, Ethel, Georgie, Gracie and Izzy became MexPups. They were born the first week of November, 2013. Their mom was a terrier mix that weighed 8 kilos (think Tramp from Lady & the Tramp), their grandmother was a wiener dog, and we have no idea who the dad(s) were.
Ethel has a mostly white coat with light brown ears, when she was 3.5 months old she was 5.3 kilos. Ethel started out as the shy girl, then she was the rambunctious girl and now she could be described as the bossy girl, so it looks like she went through her teens in less than four months! Ethel is great on a leash and loves to go for morning walks. She is great at the beach and has won several hearts there. She does fine off leash and gets along great with other dogs big and small. Ethel loves toys, laps, car rides and is a great cuddler. She is still a puppy of course, so keep your eye out for training opportunities and keep her safe until she learns her way. Ethel is a great little pup and somewhere out there is her perfect family, let’s help them find each other.

Gloss: Adopted! March 6, 2014

On her way home from work on a chilly, rainy evening in January, Dr. Lupita was driving on a busy main road when she noticed something strange. She noticed cars honking, some slowing down, some swerving and some just driving by. And then she saw why. A wet, matted, tiny dog was trying to cross the street. Dr. Lupita already has many pets that are rescues, and she knew that she wouldn't be able to keep her, but that didn't stop her from stopping and helping. Dr. Lupita stopped her car and was able to get this very scared little dog off the road. As a responsible rescuer, Dr. Lupita knew that the original "pick-up" is only the beginning. She took the dog to her vet clinic where the dog was groomed, fixed and vaccinated. At approximately 2 years ond, and weighing a mere 4kgs, this little sweetie, now named Gloss, is friendly, playful, happy and looking for her forever family. Quoting Gloss's rescuer, "Rescuing her was an act of compassion that I hope infects other people." We hope so too!

Mindy: Adopted! March 1, 2014

Some things just don’t make sense. An owner has three dogs and cares for them for a few years and then one day decides they don’t want them anymore. That’s it. They are out of the house and there is no turning back. The pups don’t know why things have changed, but they have. Thankfully, the family contacted a few people giving them a chance to get the dogs before life on the street started to take a toll. Two of the dogs went into new homes (yay) and that left Mindy who still needed a new family. She ended up in the care of a MexPup foster home and they asked if we could help find her a forever home. This sweet Schnauzer is 3 years old and weighs about 7 kilos. Mindy is a friendly girl that really likes other dogs, is playful and very social. She loves going for walks, loves going for car rides and loves belly rubs. Mindy will need a bit of training, but she seems to be a quick study and adapted to life in her foster home without issue. We need to find a family that will value this pup and give her the life she deserves….as a member of the family and not just a thing that can be discarded.

Pedro: Adopted! April 7, 2014

Maureen was in front of her home when she saw some large dogs chasing a small dog. She realized that the pup needed help, so she scooped him up and asked all the neighbors if they knew him or his owner. They told her that he had been living under cars in the area for the previous two or three weeks along with his friend (another small pup). So the search began and Maureen found the little female who was under a car around the corner. That is how Pedro and Rosa were rescued and ended up in the care of Maureen and John. These two adorable characters are terrier mixes that are about 2 years old. Pedro is the darker one and he weighs about 4.6 kilos. These pups love to play and they love to be around humans. They do exhibit a bit of separation anxiety but after their time on the streets, that isn't too surprising as it is quite stressful to survive on the streets especially for dogs that are so small (the anxiety has diminished as their time in foster care increases). These two do everything as a pair, so we would love to adopt them out together if possible, but will also consider individual applications. They have done well with the other dogs in their foster home and are quite entertaining pups. If you are looking for a small pup and would like to add one or possibly two new family members, these might be the perfect pups for you. They are healthy, happy and ready to fly…..we sure hope to have a family waiting for them upon arrival.

Lucy: Adopted! April 2, 2014

Todd & Patty often stop at Roberto’s for coffee on their morning walks. Everyone there knew they rescued dogs as they would see the various fosters come and go from their pack. They often spoke to one of the waiters about his dog, the challenges of abandoned dogs and the importance of spay/neuter. One day he explained to them that his dog was in heat, had escaped the house and they now had 5 puppies that needed help…..after a few deep breaths and curbing the desire to scream “why didn’t you get it done like you said you would”!…..they asked what his plan was. He knew they couldn’t keep sthe pups as there was no money or space, but he hoped they would have good homes. After some planning, it was decided that he would keep them until they were 2 months old and then they would become MexPups with Todd & Patty fostering them as long as the mom was spayed after the puppies were weaned. The family was very happy with the proposal and that is how Lucy, Ethel, Georgie, Gracie and Izzy became MexPups. They were born the first week of November, 2013. Their mom was a terrier mix that weighed 8 kilos (think Tramp from Lady & the Tramp), their grandmother was a wiener dog, and we have no idea who the dad(s) were.
Lucy is the tall white pup of the litter with a few tan markings. At 3.5 months old she weighed 5.6 kilos. Lucy is a happy pup that loves to run, explore and play. This sweet girl is quite the cuddle bug and she loves to jump into laps to make it easy for you to give her a scratch or two. Lucy loves her toys….especially the part where she creates a hole and slowly removes the stuffing. She is very interested in birds and will chase & jump after them at any opportunity. Lucy is a big fan of dogs and spends lots of time trying to get the attention of the adult foster dogs in her foster home. She is still a puppy that needs guidance and training to keep her out of trouble, but she is well on her way to becoming a well-balanced dog. Lucy has passed her final vet check and is ready for adoption….now she just needs to meet a wonderful family.

Nadal (formerly Nereo): Adopted! March 30, 2014

4 week old puppies aren’t able to survive on their own. If their mom is still around, there is a chance they can make it but it’s slim. When they are on their own, on the streets and without a mom, they have no chance. Thankfully someone saw the 2 pups in need and took them to their home. They couldn’t keep them, so they asked their friend Claudia for help. Claudia wanted to help, but wasn’t sure how her own dog Aquiles would take to the whole fostering thing……Aquiles was a champ. These two pups adjusted to life in a new home with their awesome fur foster sibling, but Claudia knew she needed to find them forever homes. Once they were healthy, vaccinated and neutered, she came to MexPup asking for help to find them families. Nereo is now about 9 months old and weighs 16 kilos. We think he is a vizsla whippet mix…best guess. He is a shy guy and can be a bit fearful in new environments but with a bit of time and reassurance he settles in quickly. Nereo likes most other dogs and had a cat in his foster home (he’s still trying to figure out the cat thing). Because he can be anxious we think he would do best in a home without young children. Nereo is a lovely pup that needs a family to help him continue to learn how to be a great dog. With a bit of time and guidance, we are sure this pup will make one great family member…..who says me?

Merlin: Adopted! March 29, 2014

The generic neighborhood dog – these are the dogs that live in an area, but don’t have a home. If they are lucky, a few people make sure they have food and water. All the neighbors know the dog and they all call him one thing or another, but he is no one’s dog. He is just that dog that lives in the neighborhood and that is all that he knows, life on the streets where you’re not sure if or who will be certain you have the most very basics for life. That is the story of Merlin. He lived in a neighborhood, but didn’t have an owner or a safe place to sleep. Thankfully, Carmen & Claudia noticed him and starting putting out food & water for him. Once their current foster dog went onto a new life, they set out a plan to get Merlin. He was more than happy to oblige. Merlin is just over a year old and he weighs 16 kilos. He is in a foster home with both dogs & cats, and does well with both (although he can pester the cats a bit). Merlin is a medium to high energy dog that loves to go hiking, biking or running with his humans. He is learning to walk on a leash and is doing well with taking direction from a leader. We think he is a very trainable dog. Merlin can be a bit nervous around new adult men (barking), but once he knows the person is a friend all is fine. This cuddle bug might have lots of energy for play, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t love to curl up for a good snuggle and a few kisses. Merlin loves every Kong toy that he has ever meet. This pup would thrive in an active home where he not only gets lots of exercise but also lots of love & scratches.

Bliss (formerly Chispa): Adopted! March 23, 2014

Monica had to race home from work one day. It was supposed to be a quick errand before returning to work at 8 Tostadas in the Marina. When driving down the main road, she saw a small, disoriented pup. She was crossing from one sidewalk to another (thank God the traffic light was red). She was ready to jump out of her car to pursue her, when the pup neared some people at a bus stop. Monica yelled to a lady from her car, asking her to get the little dog get close to her. She asked her, “is this your dog?” Monica replied “no, he is not, but he will be”. The woman called to the dog and luckily the friendly pup approached her immediately. Monica got out of her car and jumped the rail to get where they were. She finally got to Chispa, thanked the lady, and got back in her car with the pup. The little pup was so scared that she began to cry. She was dirty, had some ticks and seemed skinny. Monica rushed to her home, gave Chispa food and water (she was very hungry) then she had to get back to work quickly. She was worried about the little pup, so she rushed back to her home as soon as she could and when she opened the door it was like Chispa had known her forever. This little 9 month old pup weighs about 12 kilos. She is a very social and happy girl that likes to make friends wherever she goes. Chispa did great in her foster home with other dogs (she was fostered with Chocolata in PV). She is still a puppy and so needs guidance to keep her out of trouble, but she is very smart and a very good listener….just a bit of time and patience will help her grown into a great adult dog. Chispa is now in BC and she would love to find her forever family….maybe you can help us to find them?

Lana: Adopted! March 18, 2014

Mr. Arturo owns about 10 hectareas of land on the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta in Nayarit. He has a lot of trees and every 6 months he goes there to clean around the trees with his tractor. He went out to do his normal work and he saw something near a tree. As he approached, he realized it was a little dog tied to a tree by a rope around her neck. She was scared and in a bad shape. He could not believe it….someone had left the pup tied to a tree that was not even on the border of his land. She was in the middle where no one would be able to see her. Lana was the luckiest pup on this one particular day as Mr. Arturo was there to save her. He gave her water and a piece of bread he had with him. Once he finished his job, he took her to his house as he just couldn’t leave her there. Lana was about 3 months old when she was rescued. She is now a happy, healthy pup of about 9 months weighing in at 7.5 kilos. She has grown into a joyous, lovable dog. Lana just wants to be at your side. It is obvious that she is so grateful to Mr. Arturo and he says that is because she knows that he saved her….that is one smart pup. He says that now her eyes look so different, not scared or distant, she now looks happy!! Thanks to Mr. Arturo and all the others that make an effort to rescue those in need. He saved this lovely girl and now it’s time for her to get a family of her very own.

Gracie: Adopted! March 16, 2014

Todd & Patty often stop at Roberto’s for coffee on their morning walks. Everyone there knew they rescued dogs as they would see the various fosters come and go from their pack. They often spoke to one of the waiters about his dog, the challenges of abandoned dogs and the importance of spay/neuter. One day he explained to them that his dog was in heat, had escaped the house and they now had 5 puppies that needed help…..after a few deep breaths and curbing the desire to scream “why didn’t you get it done like you said you would”!…..they asked what his plan was. He knew they couldn’t keep sthe pups as there was no money or space, but he hoped they would have good homes. After some planning, it was decided that he would keep them until they were 2 months old and then they would become MexPups with Todd & Patty fostering them as long as the mom was spayed after the puppies were weaned. The family was very happy with the proposal and that is how Lucy, Ethel, Georgie, Gracie and Izzy became MexPups. They were born the first week of November, 2013. Their mom was a terrier mix that weighed 8 kilos (think Tramp from Lady & the Tramp), their grandmother was a wiener dog, and we have no idea who the dad(s) were.
Gracie is the runt of the litter. At 3.5 months old she weighed 3.5 kilos. Gracie is a cuddle bug and a charmer…she knows how to use her Cleopatra eyes to melt any heart. Gracie loves all of the big dogs in her foster home and she loves her litter mates (even though they sometimes pick on her). She is a very submissive pup. Gracie loves to run, chase, play with toys and generally have a good time. This sweet girl is still a puppy, so it will be important to keep your eye out for training opportunities and keep her safe until she learns her way. Gracie is ready to find a family…..do you know anyone that might be the right match?

Hector (formerly Maxi): Adopted! March 15, 2014

Barbara, a long term resident of Vallarta was walking by Vista del Sol to the beach at about 5pm…Maxi was sitting under a truck. When she called to him he rushed out to see her, very tiny, traffic, no collar, limping, she could not resist helping him. She thought someone had abandoned the puppy. She picked him up and walked to the end of the block, and came upon a group of drunk guys drinking and one said "hey that is my dog". Barb approached him, and the drunk man went to pick dog up by his ears to show Barb what a "tough" puppy he was. Barb yelled at him, telling him he can't grab a puppy and lift him by his ears. She said she was taking the dog. He offered to give the dog to Barb if he bought her a beer. She said no, he said ok and that was that. At that moment, Barbara changed Maxi’s life forever. A number of friends got involved and together Barbara, Franca, Eric, Natasha, Carla and Christy rescued Maxi…….rescue isn’t just getting a dog off of street. It is caring for the dog, getting it healthy and helping it to find a forever home. Maxi is approximately 9 months old and weighs 17 kilos. His right front leg was damaged when he was a puppy (we later found out that his previous owner not only swung him from his ears, but also from his paws. This is how his leg was injured). By the time he came into care, the injury had already healed. It was misaligned, but he was able to walk & run & play. The vets followed him as he grew and determined that he wasn’t in any pain (thankfully!) as there wasn’t much that could be done to repair the old injury. This sweet guy gets along with dogs, cats, adults and kids…..he just wants to be friends with everyone. Maxi is house trained and leash trained, but he is still a puppy so need attention & training. We are looking for a home that will welcome him with open arms and embrace him even though he doesn’t walk like other dogs…..he might be different, but we just think it makes him extra special.

Lucy (formerly Kris): Adopted! March 11, 2014

When a plea comes in about puppies on the street, it pulls at the heartstrings. They are so vulnerable. We know that if we aren’t able to help them, their chances for survival are slim. We put out a plea for the Mojoneras puppies as we needed foster homes to be able to take them in. Some wonderful people agreed to open their homes and their hearts (thank you Laura, Vicki, Licerine) and so we contacted Yessy letting him know that we could help. Yessy had been providing food & water to the mom and her puppies. He had also found a home for one of them. Now that the pups were mobile he was also trying to keep them safe. As of this afternoon, the puppies are off the street and at the vet’s office. They will move to foster homes once testing is done and they are cleared. We are still working to get the mom off the street. She stayed away today, but we will not give up until she is also safe.
**Meet Kris, her coat is caramel with brown markings on her face and body. She is similar in size to the other females (just under 3 kilos), and she is just a little thing. We believe the pups are about 2 months old. As we learn more about Kris, we will update her story.

Apolo: Adopted! March 9, 2014

Baby: Adopted! February 28, 2014

4 week old puppies aren’t able to survive on their own. If their mom is still around, there is a chance they can make it but it’s slim. When they are on their own, on the streets and without a mom, they have no chance. Thankfully someone saw the 2 pups in need and took them to their home. They couldn’t keep them, so they asked their friend Claudia for help. Claudia wanted to help, but wasn’t sure how her own dog Aquiles would take to the whole fostering thing……Aquiles was a champ. These two pups adjusted to life in a new home with their awesome fur foster sibling, but Claudia knew she needed to find them forever homes. Once they were healthy, vaccinated and neutered, she came to MexPup asking for help to find them families. Apolo is now about 9 months old and weighs 18 kilos. We think he is a lab pit boxer mix…best guess. He is a friendly guy that gets along great with most dogs when he’s had a proper introduction. He will need continued training and socialization like all young pups so that he masters the skills that will help him be a great dog. There was a cat in his foster home and he did just fine with the cat. We think that Apolo would thrive in an active family where he will get lots of activity and exercise. He loves to play, loves people and just wants to have fun....and he thinks getting to play in water is a huge plus! Please help us to find Apolo a great family to call his own.

What do you do when you see a man with a small pup that is in poor condition? If you are Angeles, you start a conversation and you ask the man about the dog. You ask about her health and why she is skinny, dirty, with fleas and ticks. You explain to the man that puppies take lots of work and they also need medical care and good food. You continue to explain and then ask the man if he is really able to provide for this animal…….you probe and you push and you suggest that maybe the puppy would be better off in another home. Eventually, Angeles was able to convince the man to give her the 2 month old puppy. Baby is now about 9 months old and weighs 16 kilos. She is a playful girl that has lots of energy. Baby did great with the dogs in her foster home as well as the cats (although sometimes the cats would let her know they did not want to be bothered). She is a curious pup that still needs some training as she can be distracted easily and loves to find things to chew. Baby is a smart girl that is a good listener and takes direction well….a very trainable pup. This lovely girl is happy, healthy and ready for an active family to call her own….please help us to find them.

Hoping for Homes - Dogs currently available for adoption.(click on the images to see their albums on facebook)