The moment Laurie Sanchez-Guzman heard about a little stray dog wandering the streets and living in a filthy ditch, she knew she had to step in and be her hero. Although several rescuers had attempted to save the sweet girl, Sanchez-Guzman, with her extensive experience from D & A Animal Rescue in Texas, had some techniques that might succeed where others had failed. With her determination, she was confident that a positive outcome was within reach.
When Sanchez-Guzman finally encountered the pup, later named Valentina, her heart broke. The little dog was covered in mud, and her fur was painfully matted. She also noticed potential infections in Valentina’s eyes and ears, making it clear that this sweet girl needed medical attention. Yet, as much as Valentina needed help, she was understandably nervous around strangers. CONTINUE BELOW
To avoid scaring Valentina further, Sanchez-Guzman decided to take her time. She maintained a distance at first, tossing tasty treats and waiting for the pup to become comfortable with her presence. Time was running out, though; she needed to pick up her child from school, and a storm was brewing. “I was running out of time. I had to do something drastic. She was close to me eating, so I quickly grabbed her by the scruff and pushed her into a crate,” she recalled.
Initially, Valentina was not a fan of her new environment. She refused to let anyone come near her, indicating that her past experiences with humans had not been positive. Fortunately, as the days passed, Valentina began to realize that these humans were actually kind. CONTINUE BELOW
She slowly warmed up to Sanchez-Guzman, allowing her to take Valentina to the vet and groomer. While Valentina wasn’t thrilled about all the new faces, she emerged looking like a brand-new dog.
Sanchez-Guzman fostered Valentina for about a year. During that time, many kind-hearted people expressed interest in adopting her, but none were the right fit. After some searching, she finally found a family that she believed would provide the care Valentina deserved. Although Valentina needed time to adjust to her new surroundings, her new family was patient and dedicated to giving her a loving home. CONTINUE BELOW
Fast forward to today, and Valentina is living her best life. She is the sweetest, happiest girl, still displaying a bit of her feisty spirit, and her family absolutely adores her for it!
