On September 18, Lauren Rodgers wrote:
Hello Vanessa,
I just read an article in The Source Weekly called “Emotional Rescue: Saving the Lost Dogs on the streets of Santiago”…
My name is Lauren Rodgers and I am a senior at OSU. Last Fall I went to Chile for a 4 month Spanish emession program. When I arrived in Chillan, Chile the first thing I noticed was the number of street dogs all over the city. One morning I walked around Chillan and in 3 hours I counted 29 loose dogs. I asked my host mom and just about every other Chilean I met about the dogs and they all gave me just about the same answer: that the dogs are dirty, dangerous, and disgusting and I should never touch them; that they are a huge problem in Chile because they rip open trash bags and cause visual and sanitary problems. However, most Chileans have dogs as their pets, mainly for protection, but there are some who have indoor dogs. The pet owners thought that their purebred, breeder-bought dogs were better and different than the gross street dogs. After every Chilean told me to stay away from street dogs while they were showing me their impressive golden retriever, I tried to explain to them that the street dogs were put on the streets by people and they are only different because they lack love and a home where they are safe, healthy, and secure; that even street dogs have the potential to be just as loving and serve as just as much protection as the golden retriever they just bought from a breeder for 180 thousand pesos. They could adopt any of the street dogs for free and with a little money to clean up the dogs, they would have a new loyal pet as well as solve the trash bag problem. It was hard to convince any of them of this by just talking to them. I thought that I had to take other action.
The moment I decided to take action came when I saw a dead puppy on the side of the road. I watched as people walked by this poor creature without a care. I couldn’t help from crying. I wanted right then and there to adopt every street dog, but my host mom quickly informed me that she would not allow such behavior, so I did what I could. From that day on I carried a large bag of dog food in my backpack and would walk the same route every day feeding all the dogs I saw. The dogs began to recognize me and would run to me with excitement when they saw me approching over 100 ft away. This warmed my heart. I knew that if I ever returned to Chile, I could do the same thing. I could find puppies, take them to my home, clean them up, give them medication, and give them away to Chileans. However, I had convinced a family of my close friend to adopt a street puppy I found while out in the country with them.
Three months later I returned to Chile and my mission was to adopt and save as many street dogs as I could. But I ran into a big problem after I brought home the first, very sick, and young puppy that I found at a toll booth on the highway; my landlord told me there were no dogs allowed on the property. She told me she’d give me a week to find the puppy a home. This threw a wrench into my plans but I didn’t let this stop me. In one week the puppy was parasite free, flea free, and very happy. I took this adorable puppy to my friend’s house and he was soon a member of their family. As soon as the family saw this precious, healthy puppy they could not resist.
A few weeks later I found a spaniel mix, who as it seemed, was just recently abandoned. She was healthy, clean, and very friendly. I called my friends who I had given the puppy to, knowing they wanted a bigger dog they could use for protection and they told me they’d love to have her!
For the rest of the time I was there I continued to talk to Chileans about the street dogs telling them that they can stop this problem by adopting these dogs. I also continued to feed all the street dogs I saw.
Though I had only helped 3 dogs in my time in Chile, I felt like I also helped many people to realize that the street dogs need to and can be saved. I left the country very positive, knowing that with a little education, all the street dogs can be saved.
I’ve told you my whole story because I was very moved by your article about the seven dogs you saved from Chile. I hadn’t met one person while I was in Chile who thought is was as important as I did to save these dogs. You truly are an amazing person and have a very caring heart for the work you did to save those dogs. The seven dogs you saved are very lucky to have been found by you.
I’m looking forward to seeing your documentary to see what you went through to save these dogs lives!
I hope in the future I too can continue to save the street dogs as you have done! All it takes is compassion and a little education. They can be saved.
Take care,
Lauren Rodgers
September 18, Vanessa Schulz replied:
Dear Lauren,
I am so grateful for, and moved by your letter. Several people have written to me about their experiences as visitors in Chile, but few have been able to say that they did something as proactive as rescuing lives. I applaud your ability to look such an enormous crisis in the face and not be paralyzed by it. You did something, something that put you at risk of offending people, even the people hosting you, which takes enormous courage and conviction.
As I was reading your letter I kept waiting for the paragraph that says, “I wish I could…” By the end I felt an enormous level of hope because that paragraph never came. You are absolutely right in saying this problem can be solved, people can be educated, paradigms shifted, and the street dogs can be saved. We just need enough people to see it that way. Until then, setting an example one dog at a time resonates through a society in intangible ways. Stay true to your beliefs Lauren, you are an activist, something the world desperately needs.
I would very much like to stay in touch with you and find out more about your career path. Thank you so much for your bright light.
For the dogs,
Vanessa
Wednesday, November 18, 6pm-late!
Mutts & Martinis is the first in a series of parties hosted by the 
With our gracious volunteers, Lost Dogs presented images and information to visitors at the 
There are people who think street dogs are filthy and dangerous. Yes, Fumarola was dirty when we dug her out from under a Chaiten house buried under ash. Yes, fear made her want to bite. But look at how a bath and love transformed her in just three months! She gives me much more than I give her. 
Great news! We have audio!!! 21st Paradigm has secured the funds to replace the camera that saw it’s end on the shooting of Lost Dogs… One donor in Portland has helped us reach this milestone in the project, helping us stay in production to film the dogs adopted since their arduous journey from Chile to Oregon/California. Not only does this allow completion of Lost Dogs, but it guarantees the next dozen films produced by 21st Paradigm! Thank you Jodi, Jane, and all the donors who have contributed in whatever way possible, big or small. 
Just two and a half months after seven dogs arrived in Los Angeles from Chile, all have been adopted out! 
Fumarola continues to socialize and thrive in my home with my dog, Digby, as her mentor, boyfriend and full-time companion. 
