The day of my wedding, the dogs didn’t recognize me because of the wedding dress and start bitting it. I was afraid they were going to tear the dress and prayed to the Virgin of Zapopan. Thanks to her my grandmother scared the dogs away, and they left me in peace. I thank for they didn’t tear my dress and my wedding was very beautiful.

My sisters Carlota and Clara came back to our home town after having lived abroad. They had acquired some strange habits over there, but the worst part was their pets. I couldn’t understand why did they like them so much. But I felt so embarrassed and ashamed walking the pets out with them. I thank Saint Francis because the people got used to them and do not laugh at us anymore.

The Castillo sisters let my daughter Lupita to pick up some peaches in their garden, so we could make some marmalade. Bit their enormous dog decided she was a thief and jumped on her. Thanks to the Holy Child of Atocha it only bit and tore her skirt, but the girl wasn’t hurt. We thank for that.

We lived in a desolated place outside of the city, but the price was cheap. I felt fear when I had to walk to our house after work. One day a stray dog followed me. I tried to chase it away but when the dow look at me with its sad eyes, I let it go along. It accompanied me to the house and stayed with us. We bathed it and I even bought it a red color. Now the dog meets me every day at the bus stop when I get home from work and goes with me to the house. It does the same with my sister. We thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for this warm company.

The jealousy devil used to watch me with my fiancé and made so we were constantly fighting. One day we were about to quarrel when my dog began to growl and bark. The we saw the devil with our own eyes. The dog ran after him and bit his tail. After that incident the devil wouldn’t come back, and we have been living very happily ever since. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Señora Carmen Ochoa thanks St. Charbel with this retablo because she was given an assistance dog so it’s more easily for her to walk.

The miracle of the electric utility pole.

When I was very sick, the Death in person came to my bedroom. Horrified, I prayed to the Virgin of Zapopan so that she’d scare the Death away. The Holy Virgin gave courage to my dogs, and they attacked the Death. The Death felt the dogs gnawing the bones and disappeared without taking me. I thank the Holy Virgin.

My son brought home a dirty stray dog. He and his little sister were delighted with this sack of fleas. I didn’t want this dog to stay in the house and tried to kick it out of the house. But the children watched me with fear in their eyes, so I couldn’t do it. My husband and I bathed this dog and bought it an anti-flea collar. The dog turned out to be very affectionate so we don’t regret to foster it. We thank Saint Francis for sending us this dog.

1945, Puebla, the baker Tiburcio Ruiz found himself in danger when he was almost bitten by a rabid dog. He entrusted himself to Saint James and was delivered from such horror. He thanks with this ratable because he got out safe and sound.

I dedicate this retablo to you, Virgin of Guadalupe, for saving me from dying when I hang myself. The dog opened the door in my room so my family noticed what I’m doing and pulled me down.

Eluterio Martinez
Tacubaya, Mexico City, 1960

My puppy was born with three heads. Thanks for it has made it to adulthood.

Ofelia Martinez went to work early morning and saw an UFO landing in 100 meters from her. A couple of aliens came out of the ship and began to play with dogs. But then they noticed that they were being observed and quickly went back. The ship silently went up and flew away. Ofelia thanks Saint Michael the Arcangel for protecting her and brings this retablo as a testimony.

Mexicali, 1967