A PERSONAL STORY IS ALWAYS THE BEST. SASSAFRAS WAS RESCUED FROM A PUPPY MILL IN OKLAHOMA. THE OWNER OF THE MILL WAS ARRESTED SHORTLY THEREAFTER FOR ANIMAL ABUSE AS SHE HOARDED ANIMALS, PLACING UP TO 50 INSIDE A TRAILER WITH LITTLE FOOD AND WATER, RESULTING IN CANNIBALISM. SASSAFRAS WAS A SICK PUP WITH EVERY PARASITE KNOW TO VETERINARY MEDICINE AND WAS CLEARLY A SURVIVIOR, THE ONLY ONE HER HER LITTER. A MIX OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND AKITA, SHE IS STRONG BUT SWEET.
A FEW YEARS LATER, WE UNEXPECTEDLY ADOPTED EL SECRETO ON A TRIP TO ISLA MUJERES. AS IN MANY CARRIBEAN LOCATIONS, DOGS ARE OFTEN WILD AND MUST FEND FOR THEMSELVES. HE WAS LIVING IN THE WOODS NEAR A RESORT, APPARENTLY SURVIVING BY SCAVENGE WHEN A CONSTRUCTION WORKER BROUGHT HIM TO A SHELTER WHERE WE FOUND HIM, EMACIATED AND INFECTED.
IN HIS SHORT TIME ON THE STREETS, HE DEVELOPED SOME PERSONALITY TRAITS THAT HAVE STAYED WITH HIM. HE IS AFRAID OF HANDS AND AWFULLY SUSPICIOUS. IN TIME HE BECAME GOOD FRIENDS WITH SASSY AND THEY ARE SEEN IN THIS PICTURE UNCHARACTERISTICALLY SHARING A STICK.
