Hello! I’m Manuela, a golden retriever who lives in Mastorrencito, the most incredible rural house in the world. Mr. Markos and his good work at Mas Torrencito
My job here is simple: to make the humans who visit us happy and, if I can, to teach them a little bit about life. Of course, I don’t do it alone, because I have a unique companion: Markos, a Spanish mastiff with a lame leg, a huge heart and a charisma that melts even stones.
Today I want to tell you the story of how a little girl named Lucia arrived with a fear of dogs and left with a smile I will never forget.
The arrival of the Rodriguez family
It was Friday afternoon when Miguel, our favorite human and owner of Mastorrencito, called to us from the entrance. «Markos, Manuela, come welcome our new guests.»
I ran excitedly, as I always do. Markos, on the other hand, arrived with his calm gait, wagging his tail gracefully, although he limped a bit. That never stops him.
From a distance I saw Lucia. She was a little girl of about eight years old, with big eyes that seemed to see beyond what everyone else sees. But something about her body stopped me: she was rigid, her hands clasped around her mother.
«Afraid?», I asked Markos. He nodded with knowing calm.
«Yes, Manuela. But remember, nice things always take time.»
«Hello, Lucia,» Miguel said in a warm voice as he introduced us. «This is Manuela, and that big guy over there is Markos. You don’t have to worry, they are the nicest dogs in the world.»
Lucia looked at us, but said nothing. She stepped back a little, hiding behind her mother.
«Calm down,» Miguel whispered to Maria, his mom. «We won’t push her. Everything happens at her pace here.»
The first night: a glimpse of confidence
That night, while the family dined on the terrace, Markos and I stayed close, but not too close. Markos was lying on one side, his big body stretched out, looking up at the stars. I fiddled with my favorite ball, throwing it and retrieving it for myself.
From time to time, I would see Lucía watching us from her chair. Her eyes were not of rejection, but of curiosity mixed with fear.
«I think he wants to get closer,» I told Markos.
«Let me do it when I’m ready,» he replied in that calm voice he always has.
Before going to sleep, I saw something special: Lucia looked down at me for the first time. It was small, but it was a step.
The first step towards friendship. Mr. Markos and his good work at Mas Torrencito
The next morning, Miguel organized a walk around the farm. Lucia didn’t want to go at first, but after much insistence, she agreed. Miguel took a long leash and held Markos and me up as examples of «the calmest dogs ever».
Markos walked slowly, limping elegantly, as if he knew he was on a catwalk. I was running back and forth, sniffing every plant and bringing them fallen flowers I found along the way.
When we reached a clearing, I dropped my ball near Lucia. I stood still, watching out of the corner of my eye, waiting.
«What are you doing, Manuela?», Miguel asked me with a smile.
«I intend to invite her,» I replied, although he did not understand my words.
Lucia stared at the ball. Miguel, with his infinite patience, said: «If you want, you can throw it to her. You don’t have to touch it much. Just throw it.
Lucia slowly reached out her hand. For a moment I thought she wouldn’t dare, but then her fingers brushed the ball, she took it and threw it. Not far, but far enough for me!
I ran after the ball as if it were the most valuable treasure in the world. When I came back, I didn’t give it to him directly. I left it near his feet and stepped back.
She smiled. It was the first time I saw that light on her face.
Markos takes action
That afternoon, Markos decided it was his turn. Limping along with his air of wisdom, he lay down near Lucia as she played with some leaves. At first, she looked at him nervously, but he did nothing. He simply stood there, breathing slowly, showing that there was nothing to be afraid of.
«He’s like a lion,» Lucia whispered.
«Yes, but nobler,» Miguel replied.
Lucia took a step toward him and then another. Finally, she sat down next to him, though without touching him. Markos raised his head and looked at her with kind eyes. Slowly, he rested his big head on the floor and sighed. It was as if he was telling her: Trust me.
For the first time, Lucia reached up and stroked his back. Markos didn’t move, but his tail gave a little thump against the ground.
The magic of friendship
The next day, we were already inseparable. Lucia would throw me the ball and laugh every time I came back to her. She even taught me how to do a little jump, something I had never tried before.
With Markos, Lucia walked along the trail clutching her harness. «It’s like a giant walking stick, but soft,» she said with a chuckle.
In the afternoon, while everyone was resting, Lucia lay down on the grass with us. I curled up next to her and felt her breathing synchronize with mine. It was as if her fear had completely vanished.
A night to remember. Mr. Markos and his good work in Mas Torrencito.
When it was time for bed, Lucia asked Miguel to leave Markos and me in her room. «Please, Mom. I don’t want to sleep alone,» she said in a sweet voice.
«Of course I do, honey,» Maria replied excitedly.
That night, I climbed into bed with her while Markos lay by the door, keeping watch like a guardian. Before I closed my eyes, Lucia hugged me and whispered:
«Thank you, Manuela. Now I’m not afraid anymore.»
The farewell
When Sunday came and the family had to leave, Lucía did not want to let us go. She hugged Markos and then me, and with tears in her eyes, she told Miguel:
«We’ll be back, won’t we?»
«Of course I do, Lucia,» her mom replied.
As we watched them leave, Markos looked at me and said, «Another heart healed, little one. Good job.
I wagged my tail hard. Because at Mastorrencito, we don’t just offer stays. Here we create magic, peace and tranquility. 🐾
From Mas Torrencito we wish you a good day and that your dog accompanies you !!!!
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If you want, you can see our vouchers for weekends, retirees vouchers, at an incredible price…go to www.mastorrencito.com or if you want you can read more history and anecdotes that have happened to us in Mas Torrencito… Click here:
