I thank the Virgin of Zapopan because my dog Casilda accepted stray kittens that came to my garden. The dog even licks them and let them climb on her, so I could give them milk and pet these poor abandoned animals.

I saw the dogs attacking a lady. I wanted to run and defend her but then I saw that it was the Death himself. I thank the Virgin for protecting me so that the skeleton didn’t take me.

May 2, 1953

My son David was flying his kite, and dogs that seemed rabid bit him. We thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for the dogs weren’t rabid and David didn’t have to go through vaccine shots.

Atotonilco
September 19, 1961

Roberto J. used to breake into houses and steal. But one day a dog bit his balls so he was very close to became a lady. He thanks Saint Judas for his cure and promise to be a good man.

A homeless dog always followed me wherever I went. Saint Francis made me feel pity for it, and I took the dog home. I washed and fed him. Now it’s a beautiful and groomed dog. I thank the saint because this dog gives me its love and keeps me a company.

My son Carlos enjoyed teasing a neighbor dog. It was barking and growling throughout the door. But one day the door wasn’t shut, so the animal ran out and jumped on my boy. Only thanks to the Virgin of Zapopan’s intervention it didn’t bite him and only scared him tremendously. Since that my son won’t tease any dog.

My life was very sad and unhappy. I had no job or anything to call my own. I thank Saint John Bosco with this retablo because one day my remote uncle whom I didn’t even remember left me a big inheritance completely changing my life. Now my devoted dog Fido and I are enjoying the pleasures of life.

Rogaciano Buendia
Guadalajara, Jalisco

The boat with me and my dog was carried away by the storm. I lost my oars, so we were left drifting. I almost lost the hope of surviving when Saint Barbara appeared as a giant wave. She threw us to the shore, and we arrived safely. I thank for that.

I was coming back from the market and saw a pair of dogs that cornered two cats in an alley. The cats’ hair stood up, and they didn’t know where to run. I quickly grabbed them and ran away, and the dogs ran after us. I thank Saint Quiteria for we got into the church before the dogs attacked us. So I saved the cats, with the help of the saint to whom I dedicate this retablo.

I have four cats, and my boyfriend has five dogs. When we got married and moved together nobody wanted to leave their pets. We thank the Virgin of Zapopan for the miracle that the cats and the dogs don’t fight and there is some sort of friendship among them.

It caused me a lot of anger that the slackers of the village came to steal the fruits from my vegetable garden which I took a lot of care of. I prayed the Virgin of San Juan for solution, and then my nephew Juan gave me three very angry-looked dogs. Now I even have fun when the kids come to steal because they run away terrified when I let the dogs out. It’s a very good entertaining.

Candido Gomez dedicates the present retablo to Saint Martin the Cavalryman for helping me to find a better job. He used to work as a mascot for pizzeria wearing the pizza costume which was very hot, so he fainted a lot, and, beside that, the dogs were constantly barking at him. Now he has a much quieter job.

Mexico City, 1996

I received a call from a local newspaper. They asked me to bring my texts, and I got very excited. I took all my stories and poems and went to the town on my bike. But on my way there a strong wind blew in my face, and all my papers flew away. I felt like the work of few years of my life had gone. But with help of Saint Barbara I was able to pick up everything, and even my doggy helped me. It was a real miracle that I didn’t lose not one list. I thank the saint.