Hello, my name is Diego. My wife and I are raising our two sons, Aaron (11) and Benjamín (6), and we are currently rebuilding our life in Chicago, Illinois after moving from Ecuador in February 2025.

This fundraiser is for something very personal and very simple: bringing our two beloved dogs, Nena and Amelia, home to reunite our family.

Who are Nena and Amelia?

During the pandemic, when Benjamin was just one year old and the world felt uncertain, we adopted a puppy so our children could grow up with a companion at home. That puppy was Nena—sweet, gentle, and incredibly loving. She quickly bonded with our older son, Aaron, and became his constant comfort. She even chose his bed as her favorite place to sleep.

Later, when we tried to help Benjamin sleep in his own room, Nena wouldn’t settle there—she had already decided her place was with Aaron. Our little one felt lonely, and bedtime became hard for all of us.

That’s when we adopted Amelia, a tiny Dachshund puppy we rescued from a family urgently looking for homes for a litter they could no longer afford. Amelia was so small she fit in the palm of my hand. From the first night she arrived, Benjamin finally fell asleep peacefully in his own room with “his” little sister beside him.

From that point on, Nena and Amelia were never just pets. They became our sons’ furry sisters—their playmates, their comfort, and part of our daily life and routines.

Why we need help now

When we moved to the United States for a work opportunity, we faced the difficult reality that a full family relocation is extremely expensive and complex. As much as it broke our hearts, we were not able to bring Nena and Amelia with us at the same time. They stayed in Ecuador under the care of relatives who have helped us tremendously.

But our dogs miss their family, and our children miss them every day.

Our boys have gone through major changes: a new country, new schools, a new language, new friends, and living far from grandparents and extended family. The hardest part for them has been leaving Nena and Amelia behind. Every night, they talk about them. Every night, their prayers include the same wish: “Please let Nena and Amelia come home.”

Recently, our relatives told us they are getting tired and can’t care for the dogs much longer. We understand, and we don’t want this to become a burden. But we are also terrified that our dogs may have to be rehomed, and our children would lose them forever.

The cost and our fundraising goal

We contacted a highly recommended pet relocation agency in Ecuador that has successfully helped other families. The quoted total cost to bring both dogs safely to the United States is approximately $6,900.

As a family, we have been saving and paying what we can. Our children have also contributed in the most moving way—saving every dollar from gifts and asking for small tasks so they can “work” to help bring their dogs home.

Even with those efforts, we still need about $5,700 to complete the payments and book the travel. We set our GoFundMe goal slightly higher to help cover payment processing fees and any small final requirements.

How the funds will be used

Donations will go directly to:

If we are blessed to raise more than our goal, extra funds will go toward the dogs’ first vet visit and settling them safely into their new home in Chicago.

How you can help

If you can donate, any amount truly helps. If you can’t donate right now, sharing this fundraiser is also a powerful way to help us reach the goal quickly—especially before Christmas, which is when our children are hoping for their one true gift: having Nena and Amelia back with them.

Thank you for reading our story and for supporting our family. We are deeply grateful.

With gratitude,

Diego and family

FAQs

FAQ 1 — Where are Nena and Amelia now?

They are in Ecuador, cared for by relatives while we establish ourselves in Chicago.

FAQ 2 — Why is it so expensive?

International pet relocation requires regulated veterinary exams, documentation, airline requirements, travel crates, and specialized logistics for safe transport.

FAQ 3 — What happens if you raise less than the goal?

Every dollar helps reduce the remaining balance. We will continue saving and paying until we can complete the relocation.

FAQ 4 — What happens if you raise more than the goal?

Any extra will go to the dogs’ first vet visit and initial care (food, supplies) once they arrive in Chicago.

FAQ 5 — Will you share updates?

Yes. We will post updates as we hit milestones and as travel is scheduled.