I was always on the lookout for dogs and puppies that had been thrown away and left to die in the orchard close to my home..That's where I found her. Emaciated. Laying there under a tree.I thought she was dead until her tail lifted. I jumped out and ran over to her. She had given birth...but no puppies. I took her home...promising her the whole way that she was going to be ok. A red Pit Bull...bones poking through her hide...fresh fight wounds and scars all over her thin, mangy body. I worked with her for several weeks...doing everything my rescuing had taught me. Loving her...praising her...encouraging to not give up.I promised her when she got well I'd take her riding in the truck. Weeks passed...she was gaining weight...healing. Her eyes would light up when I called out her name.And she did take that ride with me in the truck...a couple of times. And then she just stopped eating one day. I took her to the vet...he gave her an injection of B12. She had an allergic reaction...and I found her the next morning with her tongue swollen and hanging out of her mouth. I rushed her back to the vet He told me that about 40% of her tongue had died. Sugery was an option...but recovery would mean a feeding tube and daily injections.With much remorse I decided she shouldn't have to suffer any more. He put her to sleep.I never left her side. Assuring her that I loved her and would miss her with all my heart. I named her Red Riding Hood...because she was in the orchard alone when I found her...but she had defeated the big bad wolf that threw her out to die by surviving long enough to know what it was to be loved.

Trisha Huerta
McAllen, TX