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EXPEDITION OLA

@expedition.ola

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2 Humans in a Camper on a Mission
to Rescue Street Dogs🐾
▸︎ Nick, Alli & Bodie
📍Baja Mexico 🇲🇽

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This is Expedition Ola🐾 where street dogs get a second chance, and every day is an adventure. This is rescue, in a new and unique way❤️

We believe what makes us different is exactly what makes our dogs so happy… It’s what helps them find the perfect forever home and what brings a smile to so many faces along the way.

There’s no shelter. No cages. We live in our camper, and so do the dogs we rescue. They’re not just “in our care”, they’re our family. They sleep in our home (on wheels). They wake up to love. They’re free to roam, play, and discover the world around them, often for the first time. We don’t leash them or control them. We encourage them to become the dog they were always meant to be.

Our rescue is about freedom, joy, and healing. We’re just two humans who love dogs and find joy in sharing our life with a whole pack of rescues. This is Expedition Ola🌊🐾🫶🏼

We would love for you to join our pack! Give us a follow to come along on our crazy adventures and help us save lives! We can’t wait to see who we will meet and rescue next! by @expedition.ola

For new friends joining our page, meet Bodie, Expedition Ola’s Pack Leader and our forever dog🐾🫶🏼

When we started this rescue mission, we promised ourselves we wouldn’t keep any of the dogs we rescue. We thought that keeping a dog meant one less spot in our rig and one less life we could save. Bodie was only our second rescue of the mission and we fell in love🥹 but we told ourselves we couldn’t keep him.

It didn’t take long for him to show us that we needed him. Our pack needed a leader. We watched as this little scruffy dog helped heal our other rescue dogs. He taught them how to play and have fun! And before they are ready for that he will just lay with them, and show them they are no longer alone.

Not many dogs would thrive in the wild, unpredictable life we’ve created but Bodie was made for it! He’s as athletic as he is loyal. Independent, but never far from our side. Most street dogs crave stability and comfort. But not Bodie. He wants to see new places, surf perfect waves, and hike to the top of every mountain. He loves the random detours we make and how he never knows what tomorrow will bring. He loves his revolving door of foster brothers and sisters but also soaks in the extra love when it’s just the three of us!

We’re on this mission to find each dog their perfect match. And although we were reluctant to admit it, we needed him just as much as he needed us! Since making Bodie a permanent member of our family in December 2024, he has helped us rescue 18 street dogs! He is THE STREET DOG THAT RESCUES STREET DOGS🥹🫶🏼

So if you’re wondering if Bodie is up for adoption, he’s not🥰 If you’re wondering if we keep any of the dogs we rescue, Bodie, and only Bodie! If you’re curious if you’ll be seeing more of his cute face, ABSOLUTELY, for a long time to come!

Maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll find your perfect match here on our page🩵 by @expedition.ola

Have you ever wondered why our mission is called Expedition Ola?🐾

In 2023 we went on the trip of a lifetime. A surf trip down the pacific coast of Mexico and Central America, every surfers dream🏄🏼‍♀️✨ About one month into our trip, we pulled in to a small fishing village just south of Acapulco as the sun was setting to find a place to camp for the night. We walked the beach and enjoyed the sunset with our senior dog Timmy and a cute street dog joined us as well. She followed us everywhere that evening, down the beach, to the restaurant for dinner and then to our van once it was time to go to bed. I began thinking of names for her even though Nick warned me not to because he said I would get attached. I didn’t listen, I named her Ola, which means wave in Spanish, fitting since we were chasing waves.

We were only staying in this town for one night and although I wanted to cuddle with Ola, we had to prioritize the health of our dog Timmy not knowing if Ola had any fleas, ticks, or other diseases. We hopped into bed and Ola curled up beneath our van. An hour later we were woken up by a dog fight and when we got out of the van, 4 male dogs were attacking Ola. We fended off the dogs and decided to let Ola sleep in our van for the night where she would be safe and get a good nights rest. She didn’t even try to jump on the bed, she was just so thankful to be somewhere quiet and safe, she curled up on the petals at the foot of the driver seat and slept hard. It was probably her first night ever where she was safe from all that threatens her in the streets, and her first night in peace and quiet.

The next morning, our plan was to hit the road and continue heading south. Ola wouldn’t get out of our van. She would duck and hide below our bed and you could see in her eyes, she was begging for us not to put her back out on the street. We kind of joked about taking her but neither of us serious, it felt too crazy. We already had a dog, we were living in a tiny Astro van, we couldn’t just take this random dog… (caption continued in comments) by @expedition.ola

Welcome to the camper, Grace💛

This is your home… for now✨ Where you’ll always have food and water, where you’ll always feel safe, where we’re gonna show you alllll the love, and where you’re gonna learn what it feels like to be part of a family!

I’m honestly so surprised by how she just charged right in, but over the past couple of days, Gracie really has started to find her confidence and spunk! She’s got a pep in her step and a newfound curiosity that tells us she’s feeling better, but also that she’s starting to feel safe🥹

I don’t think Gracie is taking her guard dog duties too seriously😂 She fell asleep in approximately 60 seconds after getting her sniffs in around the camper and taking down a whole bowl of food haha! Once her head hit that fuzzy blanket, it was siesta time… and probably the best siesta of her life🥲 by @expedition.ola

Oasis adventure with our pack💦🌴🌞 And OMG seeing our two new girls have their first ever taste of fun was beautiful!!

After their vet appointment, some wonderful friends of ours welcomed our entire pack of rescue dogs into their beautiful home😂💕 Our friends mentioned they had never been to this little oasis we’d discovered, so we decided to make a day of it and all go explore together!

And let me tell you, the dogs were in heaven☁️ Gracie had this adorable pep in her step that we’d never seen before, and watching her get so excited about exploring was so sweet🥹 And then Hershey kiss, who shocked everyone when she decided to swim across the oasis pool, completely unprovoked and all on her own😂🌊 Javi enjoyed sunbathing on the warm rocks! And Bodie was there bringing the best out of everyone like he always does!

This is the life we love! No rush, no plans, just a beautiful day surrounded by nature, good friends, and a whole lot of happy dogs🌞🐶 Watching our pack discover the world around them while getting to experience it right alongside them🫶🏼

A beautiful song for this beautiful adventure by one of our beautiful adopters, Pippa’s forever madre @patriciamanterola by @expedition.ola

Straight to the vet for our two newest rescues❤️‍🩹🩺

Gracie tested positive for Ehrlichia and has mild anemia. She’s severely underweight, and her spleen is abnormally hard😳

Hershey tested positive for Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Heart worm, and she’s severely anemic😭💔

We’re working with the vet to get both girls the treatment they need and we’re optimistic that with proper medical care, nutritious food, peaceful sleep, soul healing adventures, and a whole lot of love, they’ll both have beautiful, healthy futures ahead of them🥹🫶🏼 Neither of them were eligible at this time to get spayed but once their levels improve we will spay both of them.

It’s heartbreaking to think about how much these girls have been dealing with while living on the streets. And yet, you would never know it from their personalities! They’re SO excited about life & so full of love💕 by @expedition.ola

First bath for our little Hershey Kiss💋🛁💅🏻

Scrub a dub dub in the tub until she’s squeaky clean✨ I swear, Hershey is just made of pure love💕 She was cracking us up with her statue pose once she gave in to the head rubs🧖🏼‍♀️ by @expedition.ola

Buenos días🌞🌵 Our two new rescues spent their first night safe, cozy & in the cab of our truck💗 My heart is so happy for them!!

And they officially have names!! Hershey & Grace!💕

Hershey got her name because this tiny little cutie simply cannot stop giving kisses!! So naturally, Hershey Kisses it is😭💋 and Gracie is just this gentle, calm, beautiful dog and she needed a name that fit her graceful demeanor and soul🥹

When we rescue a new dog, our protocol is to have them spend their first night in the cab of the truck. The flea/tick medication we give them kicks in overnight and begins killing all those nasty things (or they jump off)🤢 We contain that in the truck instead of bringing it into the camper and with 2 super ticky, super flea ridden perros in there this time, it was pretty intimidating open that truck door😅

We can’t wait to get them all clean and as soon as possible, get them to a vet🐶🫶🏼 by @expedition.ola

Another life saved😭💕 Never take your eyes off the side of the road when you’re driving through Baja, you never know what, or who, you’ll find🐶

We spotted this tiny little girl on the side of Highway 1! Covered in fleas and ticks, clearly needing help, and yet the second I scooped her into my arms, she started covering my face in kisses💋

It’s crazy that this little love has no idea how much her life is about to change! Our pack is growing and I cannot even begin to tell you how excited we are!! This is when things start getting a little wild & a lot of fun!! Four dogs, one camper, and a whole lot of new experiences ahead of us!!🌊🐾

I am just so grateful our paths crossed with this precious girl! I have a feeling she’s about to bring just as much joy into our lives as we hope to bring into hers! Welcome to the pack, mi amor🫶🏼 by @expedition.ola

Picking Javier up from the vet🐶❤️‍🩹 His neuter went wonderfully, but his bloodwork and tick panels revealed a few things our little guy is dealing with!

Javi tested positive for Ehrlichia, a tick borne disease, and he’s also anemic. Both are unfortunately very common issues among street dogs here in Mexico, and while they can become incredibly serious, even life threatening if left untreated, the good news is that they’re treatable🙏🏼 We’ve got all the medications he needs and can’t wait to see how he feels once he’s totally healthy!

Javi is such an important reminder that a dog doesn’t have to be skin and bones, covered in wounds, or visibly suffering to need help. He was a happy, playful little guy who seemed to be doing pretty well for himself on the streets, but underneath it all, his body was dealing with things we couldn’t even see!

SO many street dogs are living with parasites, tick diseases, infections, and other health issues that can go completely unnoticed without veterinary care. Just because a dog looks okay doesn’t mean they are thriving, they’re surviving🥹

And after a big day at the vet, we had a pretty exciting surprise waiting for Javier back at the rig… a new pack member😂🐾 by @expedition.ola

Another street dog rescued🐶🇲🇽

After dropping Javier off at the vet, it was time to run errands! Since we spend most of our time out in the middle of nowhere, trips into town mean restocking on everything🍉⛽️ Nick usually tackles the errands while I grab a bag of dog food and wander the streets to see who I can feed, love on & potentially rescue🐶💕

While Nick was filling our camper with water💦 I ventured down a dirt road (within eyesight of Nick) and came across this pack of street dogs! Mostly males, and one very skinny, roughed up girl who somehow, despite everything, was still so sweet and trusting💔

It was pretty clear she was the one in the greatest need of help, and being the only female in a pack of males, getting her off the streets could make the biggest impact, prevent more puppies from being born into the same cycle.

She was more than ready to come with me! She followed me, rolled onto her back for belly rubs, and didn’t put up a single fight when I scooped her into my arms and carried her back to the rescue rig😭💕

Yesterday she was a street dog, just trying to survive. Today she’s a VERY loved little girl who will never have to face the world alone again🐾 by @expedition.ola

BIG day for little Javier❤️‍🩹 Today he’s getting neutered (sorry about your huevos, buddy😂🥚) and having his first full vet checkup! Wish him luck and we will be sure to let you guys know how everything goes🫶🏼

We’re doing bloodwork, tick panels, and whatever additional testing or treatment he needs to make sure he’s as healthy as can be before starting his new life💕 We’ve learned SO much throughout our rescue journey, and making sure our dogs get the care they need to thrive is always a priority!

And of course, a trip to town means keeping our eyes peeled for the next little soul who might join our pack👀🐾 Saying hello to the street doggies we cross paths with, filling some bellies, giving out lots of love, and wondering which one might be coming home with us next…🐶

Something tells me our pack might be growing VERY soon🤭 by @expedition.ola