Let me introduce you to my pug, Torta. A chaotic little ball of energy that loves escaping and the outdoors.
Torta as a puppy
How I came to be the owner of such a miraculous fuzzball is a story like no other and here it is:
A few days after graduating high school, I began what I consider the start of my life as a traveller with an impromptu trip to Mexico. Now the goal of this trip was to learn Spanish and more importantly reunite with these street tacos with pineapple that I had many years ago. The flavor was fading from my memories so I knew I had to take action and embarked on a plane for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in the state of Jalisco. If you ever get a chance check it out.
So suitcase in hand I got to Puerto Vallarta and hopped on a bus to Sayulita, a quaint little surfing town that I want to gate keep for all eternity. So few tourists, beautiful water, delicious food- simply wow. The second I got off the bus, I got those delicious taco filled with carne asada, cilantro, and topped with such a delectable variety of handmade salsa. Everything just goes together so well its like-- I digress, this story is about how I found my dog.
Torta was quite the serendipitous find- I didn't go looking for her and had no intention of coming home with a dog that summer. The family that sold her to me lived just on the corner and she was kept in an open fenced in area with her parents and one sibling. I saw her maybe my 3rd day there, and again the following week, and the week after, as her home was conveniently located on the way to the best waves in Mexico. Soon curiosity got the best of me and I went up to the woman one morning and asked if she was for sale: "Ella esta para la venta, pug? sell?" I stuttered in broken Spanish. To my delight the lady said yes and get this for $100 dollars. I had to have her. After some poor planning, meeting some friends on a cruise ship(shout out to Ben), and a 1 minute conversation with my mom I was handing over the cash and walking home with a pug in my arms.
First time holding Torta on the beach
I had done it! The pug was mine. I called the airline to make a reservation and let them now I was coming back with an extra souvenir.
I could end it there, however, that was far from the end of the adventure. The representative told me that dogs were not allowed on international flights. NOT ALLOWED!!! But...but... I have a dog, what was I gonna do? This stuck with me for a few days and I'll be honest I didn't know what to do but I knew one thing- this pug was coming back with me. Then it hit me, that one word- international- dogs couldn't fly abroad but nobody said anything about domestic flights. So with that I booked a flight to the Ciudad Juarez on the border. Upon landing I had to go through customs and surprisingly was allowed to just walk through with no checks, despite very obviously having an animal. I took a bus to the border gate which dropped us off insanely far away. After wandering around asking for direction I found my way and walked across the border with pug in arms.
Stateside with Torta
Sleepy on the bus
Bus from Juarez to El Paso
Now I couldn't be happier, I've got an amazing memory and the souvenir of a lifetime. She's a bit crazy but a great travel companion.
All grown up!
Comments