Refugio Life

We would love to hear your stories about the Hilltop Refugio!

If you don't mind sharing with others, please email us your story and picture(s) about a Refugio adoption, your experiences volunteering at the Refugio, and/or how giving to this organization has impacted your life.

Charmion Harris

Feb 22, 20242 min read

Odd Couples Forever

by Gary Wietgrefe Victor, the Hilltop Refugio’s first dog, is gradually retiring after a decade of duty. Jack will take over as Victor...

Charmion Harris

Feb 22, 20241 min read

A Refuge for Victor

By Gary Wietgrefe Rescued mountain horses had the Hilltop Refugio to themselves until an abandoned dog called Victor arrived to prove...

Charmion Harris

Jan 27, 20243 min read

Dr. Phil - The Power of Kindness

by Gary Wietgrefe, Refugio Volunteer When someone wanted to talk, and didn’t want backtalk, they consulted Dr. Phil. He listened. Hilltop...

Charmion Harris

Jan 27, 20243 min read

Touring the Refugio during your Trip

Gary Wietgrefe La Penita and its sister-village Guayabitos are tucked along the Pacific Coast an hour or so north of the Puerto Vallarta...

Charmion Harris

Jan 22, 20241 min read

My 1st Mate

Adoption story by Irwin Jands I've had family dogs in the past. My squirrel house is small, and I've always accepted small dogs because...

Charmion Harris

Jan 20, 20244 min read

A horse named Chance

Notes from a talk with George and Loretta in 2019, by Charmion Harris. George was 70 years old and living on the Mexican coast, but still...