The dog that healed my broken heart

Stella left me two years ago at age 16. She was a Canaan dog — the world’s oldest dog breed that made its life in the desert, without breeding or much human interaction. They are special, amazing dogs that are very rare in the United States and are affectionately called “desert dingos”. This year I decided it was time. Stella would want me to give another dog the life she had with me. I searched for months and couldn’t find a Canaan or even a Carolina Dog, which are similar to Canaans. While waiting in an airport to catch a flight, Hazel showed up in my search feed. She vaguely resembles a Canaan, but had to be something else. She was a stray taken in to the shelter in Roswell, New Mexico and had days before she was scheduled to be euthanized. I promised myself that if Hazel was still there when I returned home, I would go get her immediately. She was, so I drove 16 hours round trip to get her. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. When she met me, she immediately peed all over the floor with excitement and jumped into my arms! I found my dog. A vet declared her healthy and said I had just adopted a New Mexico Rez dog. Much like Canaans, they thrive in desert climates, self select in breeding, get along with humans even though they can survive on their own. And most important to me, they love to go on mountain hikes just like Canaans. If you need a buddy for mountain adventures, I can’t recommend Rez dogs enough. Sadly, there are lots of them in New Mexico shelters and on the streets. Thankfully, this one made it into my home and my heart. Let the hiking begin!