The word Mariposa means butterfly in Spanish, so it’s the perfect name for the newest mascot for Iron Butterflies Project.
Mari, who is partially blind, was about nine years old when her human mother died. Her grief-stricken father couldn’t keep her and she couldn’t live with other relatives so she went into doggy foster care. Her foster care mother loved her deeply and took really good care of her, but she had two of her own and couldn’t adopt a third one.
We’d been on the waiting list for a rescue dog for months. With the pandemic, shelter dogs are adopted quickly. We knew we wanted a smaller dog and thought we wanted a younger one. The idea of getting attached to an older dog only to have our hearts broken in a few years, was too much to handle, however, we wanted one that was house broken.
One day, we went to “look” at Mariposa, with no intention of adopting her immediately. The second we locked eyes with her, we knew we were a family. Formerly known as Millie, we knew we had to change her name because our granddaughter is Millie. And, she took to Mari very easily.
Mariposa is as close to perfection as you can imagine. She’s a blonde cocker with the most beautiful golden eyelashes. We think she’s about ten but she doesn’t act like it. Before she went into foster care, she had extensive dental work, including pulling about half her teeth. Her little brown tongue hangs out through what should have been a mouthful of teeth and she looks like she’s always thirsty.
Personality-wise, Mari is middle-aged, not old, yet she has aging issues like partial blindness and arthritis. However, she’s young at heart. The first day we had her she walked over 10,000 human steps. She’s walked every day since, and has made lots of people friends, but not so much for dog-friends! Her neighborhood Godmother is a dear friend who loves dogs but can’t have one, so she cherishes Mari like she’s her own.
If it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to raise a pet. So, we honor Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin and San Antonio as our first #ButterflyKisses organization of 2021 for connecting people with pets to provide them a forever home, for as long as they all shall live.
https://www.facebook.com/AustinCocker
http://www.austincockerrescue.org
https://www.facebook.com/AustinCocker
http://www.austincockerrescue.org
In 2021, your gifts to The Big Match Matching Funds Challenge will go twice as far in helping us rescue dogs like Gaston, allowing us to make sure they receive the lifesaving care and rehabilitation needed. Thanks to the generosity of our matching pool donors, all donations received in January 2021 will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000 – making this the perfect time to show your lovingkindness and support for dogs like Gaston who may be a bit down on their luck but have the heart and strength to persevere.
If you wish to donate through their fundraising page at paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/62952, via the donate button on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AustinCocker, or mail your check to Cocker Spaniel Rescue, PO Box 27453, Austin, TX 78755 and be sure to note “The Big Match” in the memo section.
Austin Cocker Rescue works to find permanent homes for cocker spaniels in central Texas.
Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin
PO Box 27453, Austin, TX 78755
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 512-527-9923 (v)
Fax: 512-501-6314 (f)
