He appeared one day, a white Bull Terrier exhibiting a missing left foreleg, a disarming smile and a dangling brass disk stamped, Huevo, on a frayed collar. Every morning, he sat patiently by the entry door of Señora Estrada’s bakery, looking plaintively into the customers’ eyes. After failing to gain their attention, he stood on his hind legs, flailing the air with one paw. This trick melted the hearts of the hardest of souls and brought our priest, Padre Juan Flores to the scene. It was he who noticed the scars on Huevo’s egg-shaped head and decided he would be part of the blessing of all the companion animals in the village during the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Last year’s blessed companions included cats, dogs, turtles, rabbits, parakeets, parrots and two iguanas named Cheech and Chong.

Many of the villagers were charmed by Huevo’s personality and they attempted to keep him as their own. However, Huevo would have no part of it, hobbling his way to a different person’s home every night, sleeping outside by their front door after being served dinner. Like clockwork, the next morning he returned to his place near the bakery’s entry door, receiving whatever sweet alms he could obtain. Huevo modified his independent manner when he came to Doña Lupita’s home. His favorite shelter during the noonday heat was a shady spot in the center of her plant nursery. He was seen at times on her front porch, curled up in her lap while she sat in her oak rocking chair reading a book and stroking Huevo’s white fur.

One afternoon, Huevo followed a rutted lane on the village’s perimeter to a small house and stopped when he saw a young boy looking out from his bedroom window. The boy was rarely seen in public with his family. He did not speak, did not attend school, and usually sat in a chair in his room staring at the world outside of his bedroom window. Huevo approached the wall beneath the open window and stood on his hind legs, peering into the boy’s room. The boy smiled and held out his hand toward the dog. Huevo wagged his tail and licked the boy’s hand.

The two stared at each other through the window. This visit was repeated for several days; each time the little boy became more animated.

The boy’s father brought his son to Padre Juan, claiming Huevo had performed a miracle. His son spoke for the first time since birth. Padre did nothing to diminish the man’s belief and encouraged him to nurture and care for the boy. Within days, the little boy returned to his family from the dark world in which he could not escape.

Then one day, Huevo disappeared.

During the next Sunday Mass, Padre Juan explained: “Angels sometimes appear in different forms to help people or to complete some tasks that were left undone during their earthly life.” Padre Juan concluded: “We now know that Huevo was one of those special angels who arrived in our village to rescue a young boy trapped within himself. This three-legged angel radiated strength, sent to remind us that we have the power to adapt to any challenge and to overcome disabilities. All of God’s creatures deserve protection and human compassion in deeds, not just words, because it is in the giving that we receive.”

Huevo’s visit helped us understand the importance of compassion and love in our lives; values communicated by a three-legged dog and enhanced by Padre Juan’s eloquence.

Photo Credit: 36 Three-Legged Dogs Names – The Paws