A kindhearted woman came home from her vacation with more than a suntan – after rescuing and adopting an injured street puppy in Mexico.
Diana Salinas and her dad spotted the pup – who they later named Pinta – dragging her hind legs painfully along the floor.
At first, they thought she was in such pain, that she may need to be euthanized.
But after desperately calling around to find a vet before their vacation ended, it was discovered Pinta had broken vertebrae and one of her hind legs, but that surgery could save her.
Despite her vacation coming to an end, Diana paid for the surgery and was kept up to date with the dog’s progress.
Four months later, after a lengthy rehabilitation process, they were reunited in Sacramento, California, when Pinta was sent to the US for Diana to formally adopt her.
Diana said: “She stood out to me from other dogs because she was dragging her legs since her back legs weren’t working at that time.
“I noticed that she wasn’t eating at all when I went back later that day, so that concerned me.
“She was in such a bad way that my dad initially thought she may need to be euthanized because we thought she was in so much pain.
“But I’m working towards being a nurse – that’s what I want to do. And so, that started popping into my head.
“I was like, well, I want to be a nurse, I want to help people, and I like to think I have a kind heart.
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“So I was like, it doesn’t feel right for me to end her life without giving her a chance at a better life.”
Afted deciding she had to help the pooch, Diana spent hours ringing local vetinary practices trying to seek Pinta urgent medical help.
And with time running out before she was set to depart, she had all but given up hope, when she finally located a vet able to perform the vital surgery Pinta needed.
Diana added: “Last minute, the day that I was supposed to go back home because I had school, I found a doctor who was willing to take her in.
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“Luckily he had done spinal surgery before, which is what she needed.
“So I trusted him to take her in, do the surgery, do the rehab and keep me updated back in America.”
After four months, Pinta was finally well enough to be rehomed, and Diana’s mother immediately traveled from California to Mexico to bring Pinta back to her new home.
Diana said: “She now has a huge personality. She loves to play. She loves people.
“Her personality is she’s super goofy.
“It was totally worth it. I love her so much and I’m so happy that she’s in my life.
“We want to give her the best life possible that a dog can have.”
