“She would have died out there …”
Rosa María Segura Alcántar and her husband, Erick, were driving along a highway near their home in Mexico when something unexpected caught their attention.
In the middle of the busy road stood a dog, visibly distressed and in desperate need of help. Without hesitation, Rosa and Erick knew they couldn’t leave her behind.
“She looked lost, dehydrated, and malnourished,” Rosa shared with The Dodo. “We pulled over, and she cautiously started walking toward us.”
After safely parking their car, Erick waited for an opening in the traffic to cross the highway and approach the scared pup. He greeted her with soothing words and gently assured her she was no longer alone.
Once the dog was in their car, Rosa and Erick noticed a troubling detail—a scar on her neck. It seemed to tell a story of her past, likely tied up somewhere and eventually abandoned.
But those dark days were behind her now. As the car headed to safety, the dog seemed to understand she was finally rescued. She relaxed completely, leaning into Erick’s comforting arms.
The dog, now named Manzana, couldn’t have found better rescuers. Rosa and Erick are the founders of Refugio Xollin, an animal shelter devoted to helping dogs in need and finding them loving homes.
“We feel such relief knowing Manzana is with us,” Rosa said. “Out there on the highway, she wouldn’t have survived—whether from an accident or sheer starvation.”
Manzana’s rescue was a turning point. No longer facing an uncertain and dangerous fate, she’s now on the path to a brighter future.
For now, Rosa and Erick are providing Manzana with the love and care she so desperately needed. Already, she’s showing signs of recovery.
“She’s gained weight since her rescue,” Rosa said. “She’s incredibly calm, gentle, and affectionate, and she gets along wonderfully with other dogs. Her eyes now sparkle with life.”
While Rosa and Erick are searching for Manzana’s forever home, they’re ensuring she feels cherished every step of the way. For this sweet pup, a life of safety, happiness, and love has only just begun.