Last week, Rosa María Segura Alcántar and her husband, Erick, were driving near their home in Mexico when something unusual caught their attention.

In the middle of a bustling highway, a small dog stood alone, clearly frightened and struggling. Without a second thought, the couple knew they couldn’t just drive past.

“She was disoriented and so thin,” Rosa recalled. “You could see she had been through a lot.”

Lonely Pup Found on a Busy Highway

They pulled over carefully, hearts racing as they watched the fragile dog inch closer. Erick waited for a gap in traffic, then cautiously crossed the lanes to reach her.

His gentle voice and slow movements reassured the pup, who seemed to understand that help had finally arrived.

@refugioxollin Con mucho amor la llevamos con nosotros, vagaba sin rumbo, en los huesos sobre la autopista, sin agua, comida, estaba como ida, pero poco a poco recupero su semblante 🥺❤️🐶#refugioxollin #refugiodeanimales #dogsoftiktok ♬ Van Gogh – Virginio Aiello & on piano

Once she was safely in their car, the couple noticed the dog had an old wound on her neck, a silent testament to a life once confined and abandoned.

It was clear she had endured neglect and had been left to fend for herself in the harsh sun and noise of the highway.

Despite this, she clung to them without fear, her trust fragile but present.

From Desperation to Safety

The dog, later named Manzana, had narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation. Rosa and Erick, who manage the animal shelter Refugio Xollin, knew exactly what to do next.

Their sanctuary had long been a refuge for dogs in desperate need, but rescuing a pup directly from the road was a reminder of how fragile life can be.

As they drove away from the highway, Manzana relaxed in their arms, leaning into the warmth of human care for the first time in what was likely months. “You could see her body begin to unwind,” Erick said. “She knew she was safe now.”

At the shelter, Manzana received immediate attention. She was fed, given water, and placed in a calm, warm environment where she could rest.

Over the next few days, her condition began to improve. Her eyes, once dull and wary, started to sparkle with curiosity and trust.

It was a slow transformation, but one that reassured Rosa and Erick that every effort to save her had been worth it.

“It’s heartbreaking to think of what could have happened if we hadn’t seen her,” Rosa said. “She would not have survived long on her own in such a dangerous place.”

A New Beginning Filled with Love

Today, Manzana’s life is filled with care and affection. Though the shelter hopes to find her a permanent home, she is already thriving under the attention of Rosa, Erick, and the team at Refugio Xollin.

“She is calm, gentle, and incredibly sweet,” Rosa shared. “She loves being around other dogs and is starting to gain weight and strength every day.”

The couple emphasizes that rescue is only the first step. For Manzana and countless other animals, a life of kindness and compassion is the real reward.

While she once faced a bleak existence on the open highway, Manzana now has the chance to experience comfort, safety, and love—a future that every abandoned animal deserves.

Rosa and Erick hope their story inspires others to pay attention to animals in need. “Sometimes all it takes is stopping for a moment to make a life-changing difference,” Rosa said. “We were lucky to be in the right place at the right time, and now Manzana has a second chance at life.”

For anyone wishing to support Manzana or other animals at Refugio Xollin, the shelter welcomes donations, volunteers, and prospective adopters.

Every act of care helps create more happy endings like hers.