Garrett
PITBULL MIX
Rescued: June 18, 2025
Tucson, Arizona
Sixteen days ago, we put down Gabriel, our 16 year old Australian Cattle Dog . Just two hours later, I found myself sobbing on my Southwest flight to Tucson when I heard that one of the three flights attendants was named Gabriel.
I took it as a sign that I was supposed to be on that flight to visit my friend, Penny. She is a Pima Animal Care Center volunteer and helped transport Junior and Cake for their journeys to us last year. But I wasn't intending to rescue another dog. We just had lost Gabriel and my heart was still hurting.
As I waited for other passengers to board, I came across a post about a medical dog at PACC. His name started with a G.
I thought, "weird coincidence". 🤔
His foster mom was the medical rescue foster coordinator. She had made the FB post about him because she was working long hours at the shelter and her husband also happened to be working long hours that weekend... so she brought him to the shelter lobby and set up a temporary pen for the dog.
Another coincidence.
Penny brought me to PACC and we met the dog and his foster mom. His extensive story of survival and ongoing illness was very compelling.
But I just needed just one more sign before I could tell Vince what rescue plan I was about to hatch.
The next evening, back at the ranch, Vince took my mom out to dinner. Their waiter's name - Gabriel.
That was my sign. Three signs, total.
So when people ask me how we choose the next dog to be a Lucky One.. it's the universe giving us signs that we can not ignore.
Everyone... meet Garrett!
He's a 2.5 year old , 40-pound pit mix. He was seen wandering the desert for about 3 weeks. A good Samaritan trapped him and brought him to PACC. Garrett had extensive lacerations all over his body. He had been attacked by javelinas (wild pigs) or coyotes.
Even worse, Garrett was coughing and tested positive for Valley Fever. He had developed pneumonia and was put in an oxygen chamber for days. The veterinary shelter staff worked hard to save him, but suggested humane euthanasia because Garrett was extremely uncomfortable and not doing well.
Well, this little guy is a fighter and survivor. He fought off wild animals and he fought off the pneumonia. The medical rescue foster coordinator took him home to recuperate.
Unfortunately, his most recent xrays show little improvement from the Valley Fever infection. He is acting pretty normal and is active, but he's too ill to go under anesthesia to be neutered.
Because we are an approved rescue partner with PACC, we will be able to adopt him and take him to the sanctuary for further care and to give him the best years of his life.
Your financial support for Garrett would be very much appreciated. He's on a multitude of medications and daily IV fluids. Hehas an upcoming appointment with our holistic vet who will come up with a health plan for Garrett.
Please be his monthly sponsor!!
