The Wonderful Story of Djoeke Giliam

Just before leaving for Holland--literally; it was a Sunday and we were leaving on Tuesday--I interviewed Djoeke Giliam, a woman I met a couple of years ago through the dog rescue foundation we were both involved with at the time. Ever since I began working for the Amigoe Express, I'd wanted to write a piece on her. Many reasons, but the bottom line is that she's the greatest human being I've ever met.

No exaggeration.

She has the largest, kindest heart. She's a fundamentally and intrinsically good person. She cares, deeply and selflessly, about the world. She wants to make it a better place--not in any dramatic, Let's-Change-The-World-Order way; she understands that small things are the biggest change-mongers.

And she lives with thirty-six dogs.

B&W Sunday: The Root of My Rescue Proclivities

My mom has been rescuing dogs since long before I was born. It's in my blood.

Home seeking puppies...

So. The puppies have left, all three to extraordinary homes.

Nena, the only girl, left on Friday August 22nd. Ochoa left the next day, Saturday August 23rd. Little Sneijder, whose plans for adoption had fallen through, found the absolute most perfect home for him.

Cor saying goodbye to
Sneijder just before we
brought him to
his new home.

We walked him over--it's only a block away from us (!!)--the weekend before I left for Mexico.

And now the house feels sad... and quiet.