Sachi, you are a very kind girl but you can be egoistic sometimes. Even so you are very beautiful and everyone loves you.

I lost my vision because of an illness, and it depressed me greatly, since I live alone. I’m infinitely grateful to Saint Lucy, with this humble retablo, for having a seeing-eye dog Spike. Apart from being my eyes when I go out, he’s also my best friend.

Roberto Hernandez \ Mexico City

I lived alone with my dog on a piece of land almost entirely surrounded by water, and we were happy in our world. One day, when sea ran high, we saved a beautiful girl from the water. Her boat had sunk. Since the moment we saw her, we feel in love with her, and she returned our love some time later. Now three of us live in this small and beautiful world of sand and sea.

One cold night, a flying saucer landed near doña Francisca Gomez’ house. A martian came out of it and wanted to get inside trough a window to take a doggy. But señora grabbed a broom and gave him tremendous trashing so that he ran to his spaceship. Thanks, Virgin of Guadalupe, because I thought he was going to abduct me with my two doggies.

Bonita farm, municipality of Queretaro
May 3, 1956

I, Casimiro Vergara, give thanks to Saint Anthony of Padua for not losing my head when I climbed up to repair tv-antenna and discovered my son playing wrestling in my lucky underwear with his best friend. I almost fell down the roof after seeing it. I promised to pay an air-ballon trip for my son and his friend, walk the laika and commission this exvoto painted by E. Espin.

Tilzapotla, Morelos, 2011

I give infinite thanks to Saint Anthony the Great, with this humble retablo, because I fulfilled my dream of opening my own hotel for stray and abandoned doggies and kitties. I’m filled with great satisfaction to help them to find new families where they receive love and care they deserve.

Thank you Lord for saving my dog and for the neighbor didn’t kill him for tacos. One day I couldn’t find him, and all our family went searching for him. We thought he had been caught for tacos but good thing it wasn’t so and he only walked around the streets. Thank you very much.

I give immense thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe who helped me when I fell of the boat and fainted. My dog Othello jumped into the water and drugged me until I gained my senses back and was able to get out.

Akumal, 2019

I was very ill with high fever, and the Grim Reaper in person appeared in front of my bed. I tried to scare him with a crucifix, but since he’s not a vampire or the devil, he didn’t paid much attention and continued to crouch over my bed. Then my dog came running to my bedroom, very excited to see so many tasty bones. The dog jumped on Death’s leg. Death was horrified by thinking of being gnawed by a dog and ran away. I felt better then and healed. I’m grateful for staying alive.

— You know Silvia, this is Zalo’s doggy, it appeared on the news.

This retablo is going to be dedicated to those two neighbors who were spending their evening smoking near the grocery store and saw my dog Rocky who had been lost for seven days when I got my seven toes amputated as an effect of diabetes. I thank CHV (Chilean Television) for recording the exact moment of the epiphany. Thanks God!

Zalo Reyes, October 2010
Conchali, Santiago, Chile

I thank and order to make this retablo to the Holy Niño Fidencio and Holy Girl Aurorita for giving me the gift to fell madly in love when Ali went with me to a bonsai expo. When I saw her, I was completely captivated. Now we buy plants together, save dogs and always go to drink pulque.

I give infinite thanks to Saint Paschal Baylon to commend my dog Pancho to eat a red snapper that was spoiled and to save us all from a serious illness. I beg, please, always bless this kitchen.

July 3, 1893, Ciudad del Carmen

I thank the Virgin because thanks to my work as a seamstress I am able to support all the doggies I take from the street, and they give me a lot f love and keep me a company.