This summer I went to Peru- more specifically Arequipa. One of the perks of running being your own boss is that you can take a month off and no one can say no or make you feel guilty about it. So that is exactly what I did. After months of contemplation I decided that I am going to Peru for a month. I have always dreamed, wanted and longed to go to Peru for more than two weeks at a time but never had the chance until now. One day I just said whatever I am buying my ticket today! Call my travel agent bought it and it was done. Then after I hung up the phone I immediately started balling… crying. Although I was ESTACTIC to leave I was also sad to leave my boyfriend and my 13 year old baby Alizay (my dog). A month later on my way to the airport I was still balling about leaving them but in the end I had the best time ever in Arequipa. I hope to blog some of the many stories I have from my trip.
Today I want to start with the little guy who stole my heart during this trip and will always have a piece of it, Quintino. In Arequipa I volunteer photographing at a dog shelter, El Albergue de los Perros Abandonados de Arequipa. This year took my friend Michelle there because like me she is a huge animal lover. On our second visit there, her second to last day in Arequipa, we had a plan: cleaning all the dog’s faces and photographing them. So the first dog she picked up was a puppy (3months)- he was limping, dirty and cute. We started to try and clean his face when we noticed blood- blood from his foot. She put him down and he was limping a lot more than he was two days prior. She picked him up again and never let him go. After some tears (from Michelle, lol, love you) and speaking with the lady in charge we decided to take him home. We took him home because there are VERY limited resources at the shelter and as much as they would love to take him to the vet they don’t have the financial resources to. Honestly Quintino was in bad shape but there are some other dogs that are worse and unfortunately are also going to stay at the shelter because of the lack of foster parents and money.
When we met him his name was Goodyear and this is how he was.. you can see the sadness in his eyes…
Goodyear’s story: Was found laying on the side of the road. He was most likely ran over by a car and also beaten up by other dogs. He is missing the tip of his right ear and has multiple bite wounds on his face and esp his left leg.
Well Michelle left and I had the dog. Honestly at first Iwasn’t too excited to stay with him. I stay at my grandfather’s house and he isn’t too much of a dog person- I knew that was going to be a big issue. For the two remaining weeks I snuck Quintino in and out of the room in the morning and at night. He knew I had the dog but thought he stayed and slept on the roof- very common thing in Peru. But it was winter at that time in Arequipa and HECK NO was he going to sleep on the roof. My Quintino slept with me in the bed each and every night.
Luckily I pulled it off the whole time. My grandfather never noticed Quintino was staying with me inside of the house- LOL!
Here is Quintino- CLEAN! A bath makes a HUGE difference.
Quintino with his new owner- after giving her a kiss! She is SUCH a sweet girl and I know she is taking GREAT care of him. Facebook is an amazing thing. She saw him on their Facebook page and drove two hours to come pick him up. I have been staying in touch with her via Facebook and she has invited me to come visit her. I am totally going to go visit cause Quintino is living on the beach- hopefully in January.
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