Photos: Dog shelter tries to land on its paws after Mexico quake

An eccentric shelter for dogs and one pig is struggling to make ends meet after Mexico’s devastating earthquake four months ago. But despite challenges, Jair Benavides and his wife, Mariam Gutierrez de Velasco, continue to shower love for canine residents at their dog shelter -‘Can-geles’ in Mexico City.

Updated on: Jan 26, 2018 11:07 AM IST

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Jair Benavides plays with his dogs at their home and shelter in Mexico City. He runs the shelter with his wife, Miriam Gutierrez de Velasco. They go by their “dog family” nicknames of Jair Solcan and Miriam Luzcan, which respectively translate to “Sundog” and “Lightdog” in English. This unique shelter for dogs — and one pig — is struggling to get back on its feet after Mexico’s devastating earthquake four months ago. (Marco Ugarte / AP)

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Mariam and Jair sit with their dogs during a trip to Chapultepec forest in Mexico City. They care for about 20 dogs, and a pig, and regularly take in strays, whose numbers vary as they are quickly trained and put up for adoption. (Marco Ugarte / AP)

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Azucar, the chihuahua makes herself felt as she sits on her care taker Jair Benavides's lap.This tale of perseverance involves the “Can-geles” shelter in Mexico City. Its name is a combination of the Spanish slang for dog, “can,” and “angeles” or angels. (Marco Ugarte / AP)

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Mariam and her husband Jair share their bed with their dogs. After the September 19, 2017 earthquake the dozens of dogs and their two caretakers have been living in a crowded garage that a neighbour lent them. It may be three months or more before they get back into their home. (Marco Ugarte / AP)

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Mariam caresses her dogs at their home in Mexico City. When the quake struck Mariam and her husband Jair had 54 dogs in their care. (Marco Ugarte / AP)

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Azucar the Chihuahua, Bimba, the Great Dane, and another pet sit on the family couch at their home. While their home is still damaged, the couple continues to care for their canine charges despite the challenges. (Marco Ugarte / AP )

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Jair Benavides has his Volkswagen van fuelled at a gas station as he takes the dogs on a day trip. They take their dozens of dogs out on field trips outside the city so that they can exercise and roam free in nature. (Marco Ugarte / AP)

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Azucar the chihuahua takes her spot aboard the family Volkswagen van before a trip. The whole pack makes quite a sight when they step out to nearby parks for walks in the patched-up old van. (Marco Ugarte / AP)

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Jair Benavides and his wife caress their pet pig at their home and shelter in Mexico City. The couple also provides daycare and walks for their neighbours’ dogs. (Marco Ugarte / AP)

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A dog peeks out the door of the dog shelter in Mexico. Mariam estimates she has rescued and placed in adoption upward of 2,000 dogs over the last couple of decades. “They are part of my life,” she says. “They have taught me unconditional love.” (Marco Ugarte / AP)