Help Mimi Bring Noodle Home and Train as Service Dog

All my life I've wanted a dog of my own. When I lived in NYC I even went to dog parks alone just to be in my "happy place." This past week I checked out a new happy place, not a dog park exactly, but a birthday trip to Puerto Rico to visit a friend and escape the Colorado snow.

On the beach in the evening on 4/23/25, a small little puppy came up to us by the showers and started crying. We asked the families around us if it was their dog, but nobody knew who she was. She looked scared, like she was literally looking for us. We took her in for the night and noticed she was covered in sharp stickers and was shaking. She had a collar on which was so tight it was choking her, and no other identification or chip.

We posted a few places looking for an owner, but nobody popped up to claim her. What I didn't realize about Puerto Rico is that abandoning dogs and cats (even puppies like her) is sadly common. On my trip I saw countless dogs roaming the streets and it breaks my heart. I can't imagine the countless animals out there who just want a safe and happy home. Shelters here are also overrun by strays, and are often put down because they lack the capacity to care for them all.

I know it sounds cliché when you rescue a dog and say "they rescued me," but this is absolutely the truth.

I have been disabled for a decade, since having a life-threatening brain hemorrhage at the age of 22. While I recovered well and "look fine," it has left me with lasting symptoms and challenges. Then in 2023 I had a second brain bleed in the same spot, which we are monitoring closely with frequent MRI's and a neurologist.

I'd always wanted a service dog to train to help with my disability, but I'd never been brave enough to make the leap. But here I am, in love with NOODLE, and excited to bring her a happy and healthy life that she would never have had. I do not take this responsibility lightly, but I would love your help getting her started and set up as my certified service dog!

Your help can get my pup back to Colorado and in training! Here are a few expenses so far for our adventure:

Anything you have to help us out is so greatly appreciated!

Let the Adventures of Mimi & Noodle BEGIN!