Experienced cyclist Nicolás had just finished a three-day tour through Colombia with his trainer Héctor. The two men left their planned route to tackle a steeper, 25-mile path in a remote area. But halfway through, a strange sound made them stop abruptly.
Under the leaves, they discovered two mud-caked puppies hiding beneath the undergrowth. Left to fend for themselves, the little dogs looked lost and hungry. Without hesitation, both men interrupted their ride to help them.
A mountain tour becomes a rescue mission
The climb wasn't finished yet, and they still had over six hours of cycling ahead of them. But for Nicolás and Héctor, turning back wasn't an option. Each took a puppy under his jersey, pressed close to his chest, and the duo continued their journey, this time with company.
Initially, the idea was to find them new homes after arriving. But after cycling with them for hours, they couldn't bear to part with them. Héctor kept the puppy he'd carried and named him Remi. Nicolás adopted the second one, calling him Tinto, a nod to Colombian coffee.
An adoption that changed everything
Both puppies adapted perfectly to their new lives. For Nicolás, Tinto's arrival even triggered a turning point: since he still lived with his parents, he decided to move into his own flat to give his new companion more space and peace.
Two months after the rescue, Remi and Tinto were in excellent condition. Tinto, slowly recovering from his parasite treatment, couldn't go on tours yet. But his owner was already planning the next cycling trip, with Tinto by his side, just like on that first day.
