Cold Noses for Warm Hearts

Bob Dylan sings “When you’re lost in the rain in Juarez, / And it’s Easter-time, too.” OK, it’s not even Lent yet, and Tijuana is at least a full day’s ride east from Juarez, but it’s the same lonesome vibe for uncounted thousands of street dogs in TJ.

The good news: On Sunday, February 23rd, at the Pasadena PetSmart, you’ll have a chance to meet, greet, and fall in love with a canine in need of a siempre hogar (forever home).

woma loves puppy — Feel the love on February 23rd. Photo: Amazingdogs.org

Amazing Dogs is a nonprofit created by Gabriela (Gabby) Palafox and Patrick Lepere, dedicated to preventing the suffering of dogs everywhere, starting in Tijuana where many wander without food, shelter or medical care. The nonprofit estimates that they save more than 2,000 dogs, mostly malnourished street dogs from Tijuana, each year.

We spoke with volunteer Indie Nameth who explained that the municipality of Tijuana holds an average of 500 street dogs at a local government shelter not open to individuals. A couple of times each month, Gabby and Patrick drive to Tijuana, collect dogs into crates, and hit the road to visit one or more of the participating PetSmart venues including Reno, Las Vegas, and 10 California locations for adoption events every other Sunday , including every other week in Pasadena. Fifteen or so rescued dogs are available for adoption at each event. The Amazing Dogs Web site even offers the option to schedule an appointment at the time of the event to view a specific dog.

“The dogs are given basic care in Mexico before they are released to us,” says Nameth, who says she has volunteered with the nonprofit for about a year. “All of the dogs we take on have been spayed or neutered, are up to date on their basic vaccines, tested for any tick-borne diseases including heartworm, and microchipped.” Each dog has a current medical record which is part of their adoption criteria.

The relationship with PetSmart is, well, smart. “When somebody adopts a dog at one of our events, they get a booklet of discount coupons,” says Nameth, who was evacuated, along with her four dogs, during the Eaton Fire. “So with a new dog, you need to buy supplies, and PetSmart is the perfect place to shop for everything the new family member needs.”

Even more remarkable is the fact that Amazing Dogs assists with owner canine-surrenders here en el norte. Naturally, dogs accepted by the organization are prioritized in order of urgency. The Web site states “Shelter dogs in danger of being euthanized are given first and top priority. Next are dogs in need of immediate health care that their owners cannot provide. Then, owner surrenders are considered. Please be patient with us and we will do our best to work with you to ensure the safety and well-being of your dog.” The organization also freely offers other possible solutions and alternatives to relinquishing the animal without Nextdoor-style scorn.

people cuddling puppies — Amazing Dogs rescues homeless canines of every size, shape, age and breed. Photo: Amazingdogs.org

This nearly-superhuman level of support and generosity is made available because, according to the founders, “Our greatest fear is that someone will feel so desperate that they consider giving or selling their dog to a stranger. Without the required references and home-checks performed by rescue groups, dogs run the risk of being placed into unhealthy and abusive homes.”

The full impact of our region’s wildfires on animal shelter populations cannot be quantified as we go to press, but we’re quite certain that the news is not good. With the count of more than 18,000 damaged structures including garages, businesses and storage units, NPR estimates that “More than 10,000 houses have been destroyed in Los Angeles.” This undoubtedly means that thousands of our neighbors don’t have their usual space for pets, although some sofa-surf, decamp in hotels, motels and Airbnb’s, and even sleep in their cars simply to keep their two- and four-legged families intact.

Nameth says, “It’s sad. The other day at an event, a father and son came into PetSmart to buy some crickets for their reptile. And the little boy just fell in love with one of our dogs and was begging his father to adopt it. The dad was like, ‘Hey, our house just burned down.’”

Point taken, Dad. Yet, amidst the many desperate vows to rebuild, for some the beginning of a new reality may have four paws and a wagging tail.