Holly's rescue | A tale of hope, love, and puppies...

The saying goes, that “saving one dog will not change the world, but for that one dog, the world will change forever”. And that couldn’t ring more true than for Holly ⁠— a very special, very lucky little pup from Mexico. 

A word of warning: we’d highly, highly recommend a jumbo pack of Kleenex at your side as you read this incredible rescue story, as told by your Community Manager, Angela Laws. 

In a tale that’s guaranteed to leave a paw print on your heart, she shares how a routine care run to Mexico with The Animal Pad, a dog rescue organisation in San Diego, turned into a tale of hope, love, and a handful of puppies. Tissues at the ready! 

“While working in San Diego recently, I went on a care run to Mexico with the team at The Animal Pad. They are a volunteer-led, all-breed dog rescue based in the heart of San Diego, that focus on saving dogs from high kill shelters and the streets of Mexico.

The Animal Pad regularly do care runs across the Mexican border, feeding and treating the local strays as best as they can. My trip with them truly opened my eyes… just 40 minutes away, but a very different world indeed.

While we were there, we fed many of the dogs, administered flea, tick and worming treatments. And then, we saw her: the sweetest little dog you could ever lay your eyes on. And suddenly, our trip took on a very different mission…”

“To look at her, she wouldn’t strike you immediately as a dog in need ⁠— she was fed, with no obvious injuries, ailments or illnesses. 

But, she was heavily pregnant, and as we soon discovered, she was a local stray who had been in a constant cycle of pregnancies. Much like in a puppy mill, she had been subjected to litter after litter ⁠— how many, we can’t be sure ⁠—, all the while roaming the streets of Mexico.”

“We bought her from the community for $100, and took her over the border back to San Diego and into the loving arms of her new foster carer, Autumn, a volunteer at The Animal Pad. She received immediate veterinary care upon her arrival, food, water, not to mention a warm home and lots of love and attention, courtesy of Autumn. 

While we waited for her pups to arrive, the next big job ahead of us was to name her! That privilege was given to me, and I called her Holly — in homage and in memory to my very own heart dog, who sadly left this world over 10 years ago.”

“After settling into her temporary home, not 3 days later Holly went into a long, difficult and gruelling labour, eventually delivering 13 beautiful puppies. To say we were in floods of tears and relief, would be an understatement! 

Sadly, we did lose one puppy, who had struggled from birth. Completely unavoidable, of course, but no less devastating. We took comfort in knowing that had she given birth on the streets, all alone, she may have lost even more.”

“I have to commend the incredible team here at The Animal Pad. The love and care they give to the unwanted dogs of San Diego and beyond is incredible, and I have had the pleasure of working with them and their dedicated team of volunteers first-hand. 

Believe it or not, when they’re not saving the lives of San Diego’s strays, they all work full-time in various careers — on their team is a flight attendant, a children’s speech therapist, a psychologist, a web developer and a vet industry marketer. 

It fills me with pride that TrustedHousesitters has now partnered with them and will continue to support their work through sponsorship and fundraising events.”

“So, what’s next for Holly and her pups? Already, Holly is looking happier and healthier. Of course, as our honorary rescue dog, Holly’s care will be supported by TrustedHousesitters until she and her furry brood are adopted."

Could you be Holly’s new pet parent?

"Holly desperately needs a second start in life, one filled with the love and care that she (and all dogs) deserve. Likewise, we want to give her puppies the very best start in life. 

Holly and her puppies will be ready for adoption from the San Diego area soon. So, if you’re considering opening your heart and either adopting or fostering Holly, or any of her pups, please do reach out to The Animal Pad and register your interest.”

We’re not crying… you are! (That’s a lie, we’re definitely crying). Well done to Holly and a huge hats off to Angela and all the wonderful volunteers at The Animal Pad. 

To find out more about The Animal Pad and how they are saving the lives of pets each and every day, visit their website, or click to find out more about fostering or adopting a rescue dog. If you’re based in the San Diego area, you can also apply to become an Animal Pad volunteer by clicking here.