Our pets, especially Rufus, have a special place in our hearts.
A friend gave Marisa Martnez her deaf blue heeler when she was going through one of the hardest times of her life. Zamora Moon, one of her three kids, died in 2017 from a rare form of brain cancer called DIPG.
Marisa Martinez is talking to a news reporter who is there to catch the moment she sees her dog again.
Marisa didn’t know at first that the dog was deaf, but she found out when he didn’t react to her baby crying, her calls, or other loud sounds. But no one ever thought this was a bad thing about her dog. Marisa says that he being deaf is a “super power” for her.
When Rufus ran away from his home in Santa Fe in September, Marisa didn’t think twice about calling a local volunteer group called Team Frijoles to help find him. The organization got to work right away, making posters and getting the word out.
Even though Marisa’s hope of getting her beloved dog, Rufus, back started to fade over time, she never gave up completely. Then, finally, a kind person showed up at the right time and place.
Rufus, a blue heeler dog who is five years old, is sitting in the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society.
Arabel Solis was riding his motorcycle when he saw this cute dog. He could have gone about his day, but because he knows what it’s like to lose a pet, he always takes the time to report every stray animal he sees.
“You think your dog is gone, you’ll never see him again,” Arabel said.
Team Frijoles set up a way to get the dog to come to them once they knew about it. They set up cameras, a place to feed the dog, and even a trap to catch the dog they thought was Rufus.
They knew right away that the sweet dog they had found was Rufus because it had a chip. Eight days later, a virtual reunion with his family, who were in Spain at the time, was set up. It was a very happy reunion.
Marisa and Rufus get back together. She is holding on to his leash as he runs around excitedly.
Marisa said that finding Rufus was nothing less than a miracle.
The best moment, though, was when everyone got together in person. Rufus had to think for a while before he remembered who his mom was, but once he did, he was ready for all the hugs!
She said,“Life changes in a minute,” she said. “I don’t know the powers that be or if God was involved, I don’t know, but I feel like a big miracle has happened and I feel truly blessed.”