Nathaly Toledo reveals the accident she had with her rescued dog that almost disfigured her face

Journalist and rescuer Nathaly Toledo just shared on social networks one of the experiences that had a strong impact on her physical and mental health and coexistence with rescued animals, and enabled her to reflect on the mental health and well-being of animals.

Although he didn’t say when it happened, he said it happened a few years ago. On Christmas Eve, he noticed that his dog Durango, better known as Piratita because he is missing an eye, was behaving strangely, especially since it was a firework.

“I bent down and hugged him, pressed my face to his, and at that very moment the second pyrotechnic exploded. His reaction was to bite what was next to him. When he let go, he tore off part of my muscles and skin, which I’m still missing – he said, pointing to his right cheek.

Although the doctors predicted that there would be consequences, Nathaly proudly showed the evolution of her scar, from the first stitches that were removed to the appearance she has now, which is almost imperceptible at first glance. “The more I smile, the less it shows.”

During her recovery, Nathaly reported suffering from anxiety attacks that caused her to lose weight and prevented her from eating satisfactorily. “It was a traumatic experience … I lacked a little empathy for myself.” He even used psychological therapy for this.

His second thought was about the pyrotechnics that are being exploited in these times, and that in rescued animals, like his, who have suffered abuse and violence, these sounds can trigger behavior like his dog’s.

“Many people told us that we should put him to sleep because he attacked us, but it’s not his fault… His traumas can be activated in ways I didn’t know about. “He’s just a victim.”

With this story, Toledo highlighted the work he does together with his partner Diego Spotorn, with whom he runs a residence for rescued animals. This experience, he added, will not limit his work to reduce abuse and abandonment, as well as the relationship between humans and animals.

“There is always a story behind a scar. Sometimes it talks about pain, sometimes about resignation, but it can also be about overcoming.”