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It was one of many dogs he helped in different neighborhoods of the city of Goya, in the province of Corrientes. With food, fresh water, shelter for the colder months, absorbents, medications, veterinary care and love, he ensured that, at the very least, those who were unable to find a home would be in the best possible condition as they spent their days on the streets.
“One afternoon They told me that a dog with a boat hook was roaming the neighborhood Miracle Medal. I went with Eli, whom I rescued many years ago, to see what it was all about. We didn’t find him, but the neighbors told us he was one of the dogs we were helping, and that he had a boat hook on his head. Everyone scared him because of the smell and threw insecticide on him. We couldn’t believe what we were hearing“Mariela Aguirre remembers.
Worried, the two women began searching for the animal. They asked about Bigote and Rubia, companions of Veco, the dog they thought was in trouble. Until they saw him from afar. “He took refuge in the shade of the garage. His head was a hell of worms. I was dying“.
While Eli wrapped him in some blankets, Mariela went to look for the car. Without wasting any time, they put him in the back seat and headed to the vet. “I was so dedicated, I don’t think I could stand another day. We had no problem getting him into the car, besides he knew us from other times that we had helped him and him and since they knew everything, they too He knew we were trying to save him.“.
Once he was settled on the stretcher, the cleaning began. “It was an eternity,” Mariela details. He was put on an IV because he was completely dehydrated, received medication and they had to find a place for him so he could recover safely.
“Pichera is myiasis, that is, an infestation produced by fly larvae in a wound,” says veterinarian Juan Manuel Oliden. “It occurs when a fly lays its eggs on wet, fresh or infected meat, and these eggs then turn into worms that feed on tissues. It usually appears in summer, when temperatures exceed 15-20 degrees Celsius. If it is below 20 degrees Celsius, the flies rarely reproduce.”
How do pechiera develop? Oliden, who is also a volunteer with the NGO Caballos en Libertad, explains in detail. “The flies lay their eggs in a wound or moist tissue. Within 24 to 48 hours, these eggs hatch and larvae (worms) are born. The insect hole becomes visible two or three days after the egg is laid. The larvae grow and begin feeding on the tissue, deepening the wound. The more the wound bleeds, the more flies will approach it and lay more eggs, worsening the damage.”
But there is still one more step. Mariela and Eli needed a place to take Vico so he could recover in peace. “We uploaded it to the networks and asked for help. Octavio appeared and opened the heavens for us, providing a place for us until his recovery.“.
For a month and a half, every day, Eli and Mariela went to Octavio’s house to administer the treatment Vico needed, examine his wound, and monitor him closely. “It was a great joy to see him recover.. “Eli cooked for him and was already wagging his tail and knew when it was time to wait for us.”
After some time, once he had regained his weight and felt more cheerful, Fico went out for his first walks around the neighborhood. “We began the task of finding him a permanent home. It was not easy: he was an adult dog and with… Boss character. While he lived on the street, Vico was the one who would come out to the scene if a dog was in heat and he didn’t have any drama to get into fights and take control of the scene,” recalls Mariela.
Finally, the message that women dreamed of came: “We want to adopt Veco and are not receiving a file no As a response. “She will live at home with her mother, the cat and two other dogs,” Mateo Alvarez said adamantly. After organizing the transfer, the adoption was completed.
“Certifying Veco was my idea,” Matteo says proudly. “I am someone who cannot turn a blind eye to animals. He was so bad and old that my head kept thinking no one would adopt him.. and It spontaneously occurred to me that our house could be his forever home.. I conveyed this feeling to my mother, Florencia, and we did not hesitate for a moment. We knew and knew that the adaptation would not be easy. Especially since he’s already old and cunning. “But we also know that they are great,” Matteo explains.
In fact, to everyone’s surprise, the adaptation was very simple. Veco has a very good personality and the dogs took him in without a problem. He doesn’t get along well with cats, but the important thing is that he’s not aggressive. “Later, he got used to the nooks and crannies of the house, and became master of every place we allowed him. Now We live very well: Fico – who thinks he is in a hotel – two dogs, a cat and two male cats. Two women and a man (me), a cramped but happy house“.
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