Hi neighbors, I’m Marisol Belill. Seven years ago, I was living in a cage at the Roswell Animal Shelter.  I had broken bones, sepsis, parasites, kennel cough, and was a hot mess. I had lost hope - until a woman walked by my cage and took my picture.  Little did I know, my life was about to change! That photo was posted on facebook, along with a plea for someone to rescue me.  Two local rescues, Pathways of Healing and Argos, teamed up to bail me out, transport me to Albuquerque and get me immediate surgery to remove my infected uterus.  My foster parents (Mark and Michelle Belill) picked me up after surgery and brought me home to Placitas to recover.  There I met my foster sister, Isabel, a dog my foster parents had adopted a few years earlier.  Isabel taught me there are good people in this world, and I was now in their company. 

After a month of healing from my first surgery, I underwent a hind-leg amputation for an unrepairable fracture.  I was so happy to finally be free of the pain of dragging around that broken leg! My spirit and body were both healing, and I was learning to trust. A couple of months later, my foster parents told me they loved me and asked me if I wanted them to be my forever family. I said YES!

It took me time to realize this incredible life I have here in beautiful Placitas is real.  I’ve become the silly self I was always meant to be. I love to show off by doing handstands and walking around on my two front feet. I also spin like a top when dinner is served. I LOVE to eat, and boy am I fast (mom tries to slow me down with slow-feed bowls and licky mats, but I’m better than that)!  Daily howling sessions with Isabel, and our morning walks on Mustang Mesa are so much fun.  Mom asked me to apologize here to every dog we bark at along the way.  Our purpose in life is bodyguarding, and despite attempts by Mom to convince us otherwise, we remain steadfast. 

Something I’m very proud of is that Isabel and I have helped our parents foster other dogs like us. We’ve helped these dogs heal and find new homes.  In fact, there are several dogs living in Placitas whom we helped foster! Isabel and I encourage every Placitan to please step up to foster (or adopt, transport, donate, or volunteer).  My greatest wish is that every dog who has experienced abuse, neglect and misfortune like we did, gets to experience the comfort and joy of a loving home. And a loving home in Placitas is a dream come true!