The Story of a Special Friend, Amigo #rescuedog

Over three years ago, we lost Rusty. Our beloved friend had been a rescue dog from the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. We didn’t think we’d ever get another dog. Rusty was a friend, fishing buddy, household helpmate, and our soulmate dog. He was dubbed “the smartest dog in the world.” He helped me carry in groceries, picked dirty clothes off the floor and took them to the laundry, and reprimanded FDW when he couldn’t land a fish. We loved him as part of our family.

Amigo in his culvert home

Then a month or so ago, we decided it might be time. We knew we wanted a rescue dog, and I made the rounds of Internet sites. While checking on one dog, the foster mom told me about another dog we might consider. Amigo wasn’t even listed on the site yet. When we heard his story, saw his photos, and watched a video of him, we knew we’d found our next friend. And he was even named Amigo!

Here’s his amazing story:

A Blackhat Humane Society (serving the Navajo Nation) volunteer

Wiley and Amigo

noticed a blind dog on her commute to work in Gallup, NM for several months. He was living in an arroyo, in the wild. At some point, she also saw a younger dog living in a small culvert pipe who was the blind dog's loyal friend. She found out the homeless people in the area were feeding the dogs. She named the blind dog, who was three or four years old, Wiley. Perfect, huh? The younger dog, who was gauged to be between nine months and a year, became Amigo.

Amigo is rescued

After receiving permission from Blackhat, she set a trap to bring them in for rescue. Amigo was taken first. It took a bit longer to capture Wiley. Wiley was taken to a blind dog rescue site in Albuquerque. Amigo was taken to Colorado and the foster home of Linda.

In the beginning, he stayed in his makeshift cave for comfort. After 24 hours, foster Mom, Linda, had to carry him out to relieve himself. Three weeks of care readied him for a family. We met her in Gallup, NM to bring him home.

We were a bit nervous making a 3 ½ hour drive to get him. What if he didn’t like us? What if we

Love at first sight

didn’t feel the bond? In spite of his story and photos, we knew if we didn’t all click, we’d leave without him. Luckily, and happily, that didn’t happen. He was all over us, and we loved him immediately.

He started out timid, but never aggressive. His reaction to every human he came in contact with was totally friendly. Dogs were

Sadi reading to Amigo

another story. Although, not aggressive, he was very scared. The second day we had him, our granddaughter, Sadi, came to spend the weekend. They fast became friends. She suggested we take him to the dog park. Greatest suggestion ever. After about an hour of tucked tailed and bared teeth, he was running and playing. He's quickly come out of his cautious, feral ways.

Amigo is sweet and lovable. I think he has a funny face. FDW

Warming up to the dog park

thinks he's cute and does not like me saying that. We’re still working on the come command, but he’s mastered sit and no. I think we made a good choice. I’m pretty sure if Amigo could speak, he’d agree.

For more information on the Blackhat Humane Society, CLICK HERE.

For the complete story of the rescue of Wiley as told by the Blackhat volunteer, CLICK HERE. Be advised, you'll see the first page of the story, then need to download the newsletter to read the rest.

Amigo knows how to relax

Hard to get mad at that face!