Discovering True Love in Mexico

By Bob Cox

When the Whitney family scheduled a vacation to Cabo San Lucas nearly nine Springs ago, they were planning to soak up some sun and enjoy the sights that the shores of Baja are famous for. What they encountered on a remote beach near Todos Santos changed their lives forever.

Upon their arrival, Lori and daughter Makenna were greeted by a handsome local inhabitant who went by the name Solo De Uno, which means the lonely one. Solo De Uno was an unusually friendly but abandoned dog that displayed the behavior of a tame and domesticated animal. The bond between Solo De Uno and the Whitney family was instantaneous.

Underfed, dehydrated and weighing in at a meager 30 pounds, Solo De Uno was the sweetest dog Lori had ever encountered. Lori made several inquiries to find a home for her new friend and even suggested taking the dog back with her but the tour guide denied her request and told her that taking a dog out of the country was almost impossible. "While everyone was partying on the bus, the dog that we now call Biscuit laid down with his head on his paws and watched us as we pulled away. His eyes were the last things I saw and it just stuck with me as my daughter and I cried the whole way back", recalled Lori.

When she was at home, Lori was reading a magazine she had acquired in Mexico and saw an ad with the headline "It's Easy to Adopt a Baja Beauty". The ad was sponsored by the Humane Society of Cabo San Lucas (HSCSL). She responded immediately and with the help of HSCSL volunteer Allison Webb, the two went to work finding Biscuit. Lori was able to acquire the phone numbers of the two tour guides from Mexico and with an impassioned plea, convinced the drivers to find Biscuit and have him delivered to the HSCSL shelter. From there, Lori would make arrangements to fly Biscuit to America and secure a loving home for him.

Unfortunately, Biscuit was diagnosed with heartworm, which delayed and complicated Lori’s plans. Allison took matters into her own hands and brought Biscuit home with her for three weeks, where he made a full recovery. On May 21, 2006, Allison and Biscuit arrived at the Sacramento Executive Airport and were greeted enthusiastically by the Whitney family and a television crew from Good Day Sacramento. Today, the dog once known as Solo De Uno has grown into a 65 pound Biscuit of love, thanks to the Whitney family, who eagerly opened their home and their hearts to this amazing animal.

Editor’s notes: Lori Whitney is the Public Affairs Officer and Coordinator for Itsie Bitsie Rescue, Inc. a non-profit orgination that specializes in raising unweaned orphaned kittens and puppies until they are ready for their forever home. She can be reached at (916) 765-6060.