Frances has one Sponsor Frances is a very special girl! Her mom, Maribel, met Frances in 2005 when she was in graduate school in San Juan Puerto Rico. On that day, classes had been cancelled because hurricane Frances was rapidly approaching the coast of the small island. Maribel was already at the campus when the decision to cancel classes was announced. She had a lot of studying to do, so she stayed in a study area outside the library waiting for the rush of people leaving for home to subside. As she studied and waited, an acquaintance approached her holding the cutest puppy she had ever seen. He said he had to tend to some things in his lab and asked if she could watch the pup for a few hours. She was happy to help, and when she asked more about the puppy, she was told that the mom of the litter had been badly injured in a car accident. Her litter of 11 puppies, 2 to 3 weeks old, were sickly. Unfortunately, because they were so sick, the shelter where they were taken was going to put them to sleep if they weren't adopted by the end of the week. Maribel says: “From then on it was history, I simply could not give her back knowing her struggle. I started calling friends trying to find her a home, I decided I can take her to the vet, get her all better and then we'll find her a home. One thing led to the next and before I realized it she had found a home ... with me. Frances I named her ... she hit me out of nowhere just like the hurricane. She loves long fast walks (its almost a jog with her), loves her treats and is the only pooch I know that burps after a good meal.” Because of Maribel’s school schedule and her mother’s work schedule, Frances grew up without much social interaction, so she doesn't handle strangers very well. She loves rides in the car, and snuggling with her pink elephant. She loves her naps, but gets rowdy if someone wakes her up. She has been an only dog for quite sometime and is aggressive with any other animals around her. The hardest part is that she is unpredictable. She can be playing and five minutes later she’ll be growling and showing her pearly whites fiercely. Maribel is now in the USAF and will be reassigned next summer, probably overseas. She can't take Frances with her to her quarters on base (where she has to live because of her type of job). Knowing her behavior tendencies, Maribel doesn’t feel that, in good conscience, she could put her up for adoption, or give her to a family because she knows Frances most likely will become more aggressive as time goes by. While she was trying to decide what to do about Frances, Maribel learned about Smiling Dog Farms. In order to decide how to proceed, Maribel made a last minute decision to visit the farm. Although her visit was unexpected, we were able to make time to show her around the farm and answer all her questions. Maribel had this to say about her visit with us, “I want to say thank you for taking the time to talk to me and my mom, for the patience with which you listened and mostly for doing what you do. I feel blessed that I found a haven for my best friend and companion where I can place her and feel she will be safe and well cared for.  I felt incredible relief when I found Smiling Dog Farms. She is a good and healthy dog, I am glad she will get to live the rest of her days in peace, safely out in the Texas country.” We are pleased that Maribel is entrusting her precious baby to Smiling Dog Farms. Even though Frances will not be able to follow where her mom goes, Maribel can be sure that Frances will always be with people who will love her. Back to Main List Smiling Dog Farms Giving hope to the forgotten, neglected & rejected... P.O. Box 743 Wharton, TX 77488 Home / Contact Us Be a Donor Make a One-time Donation *The selected amount will billed to your credit card each month via PayPal. You may cancel at any time.  Frances sends many big hugs and sloppy kisses to her current Monthly Sponsors: • Kati H. Frances’ mom is paying for her new townhome and play yard. If you would like to help by signing up to sponsor her monthly care and maintenance Frances will be eternally grateful! A 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation                                                Smiling Dog Farms is Absolutely, Unequivocally NO-KILL!!!