Arrachera’s story began on a trip through the remote regions of Oaxaca where I found her and her sister Milanesa playing in the grass by the roadside. They were just 4-6 weeks old, starving, dehydrated and alone. After driving past them I couldn’t stop thinking about them so we turned around. Milanesa ran straight into Andy’s arms but Arrachera darted under briar bushes in a creek runoff. I crawled through thorns and mud getting scraped and bruised but I finally got her out. She was terrified but she let me hold her and I knew I couldn’t leave her behind. That night they curled up by the fire and it was clear we had become a pack.

Andy took Milanesa and I took Arrachera. They loved each other but needed to be separated due to Littermate Syndrome. Arrachera is incredibly smart and she can open doors, gets along with every animal and has been my best friend through some of my darkest times. She and my cat Cebolla have saved me more than once when I was struggling. Their love and companionship have been a lifeline.

Now new FAA regulations starting in 2025 have made it impossible for large dogs like Arrachera to fly from Latin America to the US. The new regulations made it so NO LARGE DOGS can fly in cargo as they have forever. And the drive is nearly a week there and a week back. So I had to put her in a doggie hotel in Oaxaca, or get her adopted. I did NOT want to give up my dog. So I continued to search for ways to get her home to me.

After six months of searching I found EasT Coast Pet Services. They are an organization in Veracruz that can help get her to Tijuana and then drive her to Phoenix. They have found work arounds for saving dogs in Mexico and getting them to people who want rescues in the US. It's an incredible organization that also rescues and sends dogs all over the world. We are so lucky we found someone to help.

The funds will cover her vet bills, microchips, travel fees, payments to people along the way, and food for those assisting her journey. Any extra support will go to EasT Coast Pet Services the family running the doggie hotel and a thank you gift for my friend Yeli who has been by Arrachera’s side throughout this process. Yeli also has the other member of my family, Cebolla. The best cat and Ari's mom.

And now I can't abandon her. I just started my new job and don't have the left over money to pay for all of this and more right now. I've never set up a GoFundMe page for myself. I've only done this for other people. I feel embarrassed but this was the only way to get Ari to me and the only way I can finance it. So if you can help it would be appreciated. Once she's here I'm going to get her certified as a true service dog because she is for me already. When my anxiety is level 10 she feels it and jumps up on me telling me to take her outside. Then she sticks right next to me and leads me until I feel better. I need my doggie.

She's proud to be Oaxacan.

I would be deeply grateful for any support you can offer to help bring Arrachera home. She means the world to me and your kindness will not only help her but also support the amazing people and organizations who have made her rescue possible. Thank you for being part of our journey.