When Laurie Sanchez-Guzman heard about a stray dog struggling to survive in a muddy ditch and wandering the streets, she dropped everything to find her. No one had been able to rescue the frightened pup, but Sanchez-Guzman, a regular rescuer with D & A Animal Rescue, felt compelled to try.
When she finally found the dog, later named Valentina, her heart shattered. Valentina was covered in thick mats of fur and caked in mud. She appeared to be suffering from eye and ear infections, desperately needing help. Despite her desire to be rescued, Valentina was terrified.
Sanchez-Guzman patiently spent hours trying to gain Valentina's trust. She fed her from a distance and spoke softly, hoping to calm her, but time was running out.
“I was running out of time,” Sanchez-Guzman told The Dodo. “I needed to get back to pick up my kid from school, and a storm was rolling in. I had to act fast. She was close enough, eating, so I grabbed her by her fur and quickly placed her in a crate.”
Valentina wasn't thrilled with this sudden turn of events. When Sanchez-Guzman brought her home, she wouldn't let anyone near her. Despite her obvious neglect, Valentina was feisty and stubborn. She wanted help, but on her own terms. After a few days, though, she realized she was finally safe, and a bond started to form between her and Sanchez-Guzman.
Sanchez-Guzman took Valentina to the vet and groomer, which Valentina didn’t enjoy, but the transformation was astonishing. She looked like a completely new dog, ready for a fresh start.
“She began to show her real personality,” Sanchez-Guzman said. “I discovered she was highly motivated by treats and loved human interaction. She was tough! Pure muscle, a challenge in my home with other fosters. But she adjusted, thriving during one-on-one time. Valentina was a fighter — a true survivor.”
Sanchez-Guzman fostered Valentina for about a year. During that time, many people showed interest in adopting her, but none were the right fit.
“So many applications came in, but we kept declining,” Sanchez-Guzman said. “We knew Valentina needed someone who understood she was a warrior wrapped in a small, cute body.”
Finally, the perfect family came along. While the transition wasn't easy, they worked hard to meet Valentina’s needs. Today, she’s thriving in her new home. Still full of sass, her family adores her fiery spirit, and they are committed to ensuring that Valentina will only know love and peace for the rest of her life.
