Two years ago, Evelyn Flores received a text message from her boyfriend that would break her heart.
He had seen a black and white dog sitting outside his workplace in Mexico, alone on the side of the road. But she wasn’t completely by herself.
Beside her sat a plastic bag filled with dog toys — the only belongings she had left. It was clear someone had abandoned her.
Flores couldn’t help that day, but the very next morning she went to check on the dog. Sure enough, the little pup was still there, waiting patiently, as if hoping her family would return for her.
Sadly, in the time that had passed, the dog had experienced another cruel blow.
“Someone had stolen the bag of toys,” Flores explained. “They left only the empty bag.”
The pup had been using that bag as a bed while she waited.
“She was still hoping her family would come back,” Flores said. “I can’t understand how people can be so cruel. It’s inhumane.”
Even though Flores already had eight dogs of her own, she couldn’t leave the little one behind. She brought her home and gave her safety.
Flores named her Dulce, the Spanish word for “sweet.”
“I chose the name because she’s affectionate, grateful, loving, and obedient,” Flores said.
At first, Flores thought she would eventually find another home for Dulce. But before long, she realized that the best home for Dulce was with her.
So she adopted her permanently.
Now, more than two years later, Dulce is thriving. The painful days of waiting for a family who never returned are behind her.
“We try to give her all the love we can because we know she was mistreated,” Flores said. “When she came to us, she was skinny — and now she’s chubby.”
Dulce has transformed into a happy, healthy dog. While she has plenty to be grateful for after being rescued, Flores and her family feel just as blessed.
“It’s truly been a blessing to have her in our lives,” Flores said.